Problem
Unwanted pet animals
Other Names:
Abandoned animalsHomeless pets
Lost domestic animals
Nature:
As the result of the domestication of animals, their birth rate in domesticated environments has escalated in an uncontrolled manner, often without any adequate means to house and feed them. There is a limit to how many mongrel puppies and non-pedigree kittens can be given away to good homes. Surplus animals can experience suffering and deprivation. Since they are unwanted, they face maltreatment by their owners.
Incidence:
70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the USA every day. The traditional way to dispose of an unwanted litter of kittens was drowning. Over 10 million dogs and cats are put to death each year in animal shelters because no one wants them. It is estimated that in the USA alone, some 25 million animals are destroyed annually. Millions are sold to laboratories where they are the subject of animal experiments. The remainder fend for themselves as strays. No figures exist for the numbers of animals that die each year due to abandonment, neglect, abuse, starvation or cruelty because they are unwanted.
Broader Problems:
Animal sufferingMaltreatment of pet animals Related Problems:
Unethical practices with domesticated animals Aggravates:
Feral catsOrphaned baby animalsBehavioural stress in petsInhumane killing of stray animalsExcessive stray animal populationsCruel treatment of animals for research Reduced By:
Desexing of animalsStrategies:
Licensing petsProviding care for unwanted pet animalsAbandoning animals and petsCaring for animals Subject(s):
Recreation → Animal petsSocietal Problems → Maltreatment
Society → Disadvantaged
Zoology → Animals
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST