At The Dog
Welfare Network, we aim to help fund and support various international
programmes that will ease the suffering and plight of unwanted, abandoned dogs.
We’ve
previously touched on the importance of supporting neutering programmes, but
another area that we’d like to highlight is the need for better education of
dog owners.
Of course,
there are many responsible owners out there, but there are some individuals who
in spite of loving their dogs, do not always appreciate or understand the full
extent of the responsibility of caring for animals.
Educating
communities about good practice in their handling and management of their own
dogs will make a real difference to the quality of life enjoyed by those dogs
and the community at large.
In some
cases a dog owner allows their dog to sire or breed numerous litters, which are
then abandoned in either their own or a nearby community. This is unfair on the
animals and can also cause problems for the local people.
The
unpleasant sight of starving, desperate packs of dogs roaming the streets can
appear intimidating and have a negative impact on the much needed tourist trade
in some areas. Dogs left to roam without veterinary care can also affect the
health of other local animals and, in extreme circumstances, may result in
human injuries or ill-health. This is all in addition to the suffering that the dogs themselves endure.
Simple
education programmes delivered through various art media such as radio,
theatre and street performances, can be used to explain the basic needs of
dogs, their behaviour and good care practice. Supporting and informing pet
owners of the wider implications of not caring for their dogs responsibly could
potentially greatly reduce the amount of stray animals on the streets.
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