Preventing Animal Abuse and Neglect - 3 Things That Work (Part 1)

Many of us feel overwhelmed by animal abuse,groups talk to school age children and teenagers
neglect and over population. The followingabout animals and animal care. The ASPCA
methods have been helpful in the welfare ofwebsite has great information about how
animals.teachers can incorporate humane education into a
1. Leash Lawsclassroom lesson. Ideally, humane education should
Creating and enforcing leash laws is one of thestart in early childhood and continue through
easiest ways a city or township can beginadolescences. The Humane Association of Michigan
reducing the number of unwanted animals. Manywebsite has information about their very active
cities may have a leash law for dogs, but not oneoutreach program. If you don't have a humane
for cats, ferrets or domestic rabbits. In order toeducation program, consider starting one at your
be successful, the leash law must bechildren's school. It takes very little time and can
comprehensive and apply to all animals; dogs,be great fun.
cats, ferrets, rabbits etc. There needs to be a3. Zoning Laws
stiff penalty for people who ignore the law. HavingWhen cities and counties establish zoning laws that
a leash law creates several benefits; it's easy forregulate how many animals a single person or
animal rescue workers to determine which animalshousehold can have, it helps prevent
are strays, it prevents unplanned breeding, itoverpopulation. Many cities have a rule that a
keeps pets from roaming so they are not likelyperson can only have 4 to 5 pets in a single
to be hit by cars, it prevents dogs from fighting,family home. Condominium associations typically
it reduces the number of cats killed by prey dogsallow up to 2 pets. Since many dogs and cat
or dog packs, it reduces the spread of diseaseproduce litters of 6-8 offspring, the homeowner is
such as Feline Aides and Leukemia, it helps keepviolating zoning law by allowing their animal(s) to
public opinion favorable.breed.
2. Humane EducationZoning laws help reduce the number of people
Humane Education is when caring individuals orwho breed animals for profit.