Why Are There So Many Stray Dogs? The Real Reason Might Surprise You
Rocky Kanaka
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The Stray Dog Dilemma: A Closer Look at the Numbers
Official statistics show that the United States is grappling with a concerning surge in stray dog cases, revealing a staggering 30% increase in shelter intake over the past two years. While the statistics suggest a significant rise this year compared to two years ago, there’s more to the story than meets the eye. The economic downturn, inflation, and other financial challenges have forced many families to make the heart-wrenching decision to part with their pets.
However, the apparent surge in stray dogs might not be entirely accurate. While there undoubtedly has been an increase in genuine strays due to the financial crisis, the numbers are inflated by those pets falsely labeled as strays.
Why Families Are Pretending Their Pets Are Strays?
Animal shelters and rescue organizations often charge a fee when owners surrender their pets. This fee helps cover the costs of caring for the animal, including food, shelter, and medical care. However, for families already struggling financially, even this small fee can be a deterrent.
As a result, there’s been a growing trend of pet owners misleading shelters. Instead of admitting that they’re surrendering their own pet, they claim to have found the animal as a stray. This not only allows them to avoid the surrender fee but also the emotional burden of admitting they can no longer care for their pet.
You might be thinking, who cares, if it’s a stray or owner surrender, either way it’s another dog in the shelter. But it’s important to understand this distinction because it impacts how shelters and rescue organizations allocate resources. Genuine strays might require more intensive care, rehabilitation, or training compared to surrendered pets. Mislabeling also affects the chances of pets being reunited with their families.
“Sometimes people drop off their dog at the shelter and fabricate a story about where the dog came from. Instead of just saying they can’t keep their pet, they’ll tell a story about the dog being in a risky spot on the highway, and that’s why they brought them in.”
Rocky Kanaka, pet rescue advocate
Cities Across North America Are Feeling The Squeeze
Niagara Falls Police Animal Crimes Investigator Donny Booth says because the city is experiencing a high amount of surrenders, there is now a waitlist to surrender a dog to the city which has led to people lying to the police saying they found the dogs when they actually are getting rid of them themselves.
“How do you get around that waiting list? Well, people are unfortunately telling us a bit of a lie to get us to take the dogs and adding to the problem that we face”
Donny Booth, Niagara Falls Police Animal Crimes Investigator
Alberta Animal Shelters Face Increased Pressure as Pet Owners Mislead About Surrenders
Animal shelters across Alberta are sounding the alarm over a concerning trend: an increasing number of pet owners are attempting to surrender their animals under the guise of them being strays. This deceptive practice is intensifying the strain on shelters, many of which report operating at full capacity.
Shelter representatives believe that by falsely claiming their pets are strays, owners aim to avoid surrender fees and the emotional burden associated with admitting they can no longer care for their animals. However, this behavior exacerbates the challenges shelters face, as they grapple with limited resources and space to accommodate the influx of animals.
Should There Be A Surrender Fee?
Surrender fees at animal shelters offer both pros and cons. On the positive side, they provide essential financial support for shelters, covering costs like food and medical care, and help deter impulsive decisions by pet owners, emphasizing the value and responsibility of pet ownership.
However, the downsides include imposing an additional financial burden on already distressed pet owners, potentially leading to increased animal abandonment in unsafe conditions, and encouraging dishonesty, where people might falsely claim to be turning in a stray, depriving shelters of crucial background information about the animal.
The Pros of Having a Surrender Fee:
- Financial Support for Shelters: One of the primary benefits of a surrender fee is that it provides much-needed funds to animal shelters. These funds can be used to cover the costs of food, medical care, and housing for the animals. It ensures that the shelter can continue to operate and provide for the needs of the animals in their care.
- Deterrence from Impulsive Decisions: A surrender fee might make pet owners think twice before making a hasty decision to give up their pet. It encourages them to consider other options or seek assistance in addressing whatever challenges they might be facing with their pet.
- Value Perception: When there’s a cost associated with surrendering an animal, it reinforces the idea that pets are valuable and not just disposable commodities. It underscores the responsibility that comes with pet ownership.
The Cons of Having a Surrender Fee:
- Financial Burden on Owners: For some pet owners, the decision to surrender their pet is already emotionally taxing. Adding a financial burden might make the process even more challenging, especially for those facing economic hardships.
- Potential for Abandonment: If the fee is perceived as too high, it might deter individuals from using the shelter system altogether. This could lead to an increase in animals being abandoned in unsafe environments or conditions.
- People Will Lie: To avoid paying the fee, people can simply say they are a good samaritan turning in an animal, or using the shelter’s night drop to dump the animal. The risk here is the shelter does not get any background information about the animal, such as health, age, breed etc that is important to pass on to potential adopters, and for the continued care of the animal.
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