Preventing Animal Abuse and Neglect - An Introduction

There are different types of animal abuse anddenying the pet social interaction, untreated
neglect. Many animals are abused and neglectedmedical conditions, failure to groom, etc. Neglect
simple due to overpopulation. According tosuch as abandonment can lead to death.
statistics from the Humane Association of theOther types of neglect have a direct correlation
United States, we kill over 4 million companionto poverty and disease. Sometimes people who
animals each year. Most of these animals arelive on the edge financially can no longer feed their
adoptable. At one time, this statistic was 17 millionpet when they lose a job, go through a divorce,
so we have made substantial progress but needhave unexpected medical conditions, or their
to work smarter and harder so that we can endhousing cost goes up. Other people who get sick,
unintentional abuse and neglect. Getting people toor suffer from debilitation diseases such as major
take responsibility to spay and neuter pets isdepression, full body paralysis, etc., may have
critical. Think about the prolific nature of animals. Atimes when they forget to feed and water their
single cat and her first year kittens can produceanimals or when they are physically unable to get
upwards of 150 cats within a three year period.out of bed and care for their pet. By getting to
The statistics for dogs is nearly equivalent. Thisknow our neighbors and being willing to help each
overpopulation creates an imbalance in supply andother, we can help each other with pet care, and
demand and leaves many adoptable petsmay be able to help our neighbors and friends
homeless.keep an animal they love. This type of neglect
Intentional abuse includes starvation, mutilation,can usually be corrected if neighbors, friends, and
death, bludgeoning, etc. Any time you see a petrelatives, are willing to pitch in.
with unusual injuries, protruding rib cages, or youIntentional neglect includes abandoning an animal,
spy someone causing harm to the animal calldumping them on the streets or in the country,
authorities. I've personally stopped severalfailure to provide food, water, shelter, and medical
incidences of young men beating animals bycare when the animal's guardian (or owner) has
stopping my car, and shouting out the carthe resources to do so, casual or excessive
window. I called authorities as well. If your areaanimal breeding, keeping animals in inhumane
does not have special number to call to reportconditions.
animal abuse, call your local police. In many areasOccasionally, this type of neglect may be stopped
animal abuse is a felony. Also, the university ofby caring neighbors, so it's always worth a try.
Washington veterinary school has a project calledGather one or two other neighbors who are also
the "Link". They are researching the link betweenconcerned, figure out what you will say to the
animal abuse and abuse to humans. In Wisconsin,person ahead of time, and then approach the
Senator Fred Risser, is working to pass a bill thatperson neglecting their pet. Try to express your
will extend domestic abuse restraining orders andconcern rather than judgment. Sometimes, people
injunctions to include abuse to animals and threatsare ignorant and they'll come around. Most people
of abuse to animals.want to be liked by their neighbors. If they don't
Neglect is more complex and can includerespond, if the animal(s) are in very poor
intentional or unintentional harm to pets. This maycondition, or if you do not feel safe speaking to
include abandonment, failure to provided food,the person who is neglecting their pet, call the
water or shelter, excessive ground staking,authorities.