Ways to Save Lives
Ways to Save Lives
Ways to Save Lives
Ways to Save Lives
Pet lovers
Pet lovers
From the choices we make with our own pets, to our willingness to advocate for change, we can all play a part in saving the lives of vulnerable animals and ensuring that many more get the loving homes they deserve.
Adopt, don’t buy, your pets
If you’re planning to add a pet to your family, consider adopting instead of buying from a breeder or pet shop. Many pet shop puppies are bred in puppy farms or mills in inhumane conditions – if you buy them, you may inadvertently be funding this appalling industry. If buying a puppy, always visit the breeder to meet the mother and check their conditions.
Adoption, on the other hand, gives pets a second chance at a long and happy life. Whether rescuing from a pound or shelter, or rehoming directly from an existing owner, there are so many wonderful animals out there just waiting to meet you! (It’s worth noting that some pet stores partner with shelters and pounds to offer rescued animals a chance of a new home… and these stores are definitely worth supporting).
Desex before puberty
Puberty usually occurs by four months old for cats, but when it comes to desexing a dog, it’s advisable to talk to your vet about best practice for your specific breed. There are many advantages to neutering, not just at a community level, but for your individual pet. Reducing the number of accidental pups and kittens entering shelters won’t just save lives, it will ease the burden on overwhelmed and traumatised staff.
For your pet, benefits include positive impacts on roaming behaviours, health and temperament; there is no evidence that pets ‘miss’ mating or breeding. For timid cats, desexing can often lead to them becoming more friendly and open to cuddles!
If cost is an issue, contact the National Desexing Network or your local council to see if they can help.
Keep them secure within your property
Confining your pet to your property will spare you from neighbourhood drama, prevent them from getting into fights and suffering accidents and injuries, and keep them well away from a shelter or pound.
While it’s nearly impossible to completely prevent escapes, taking sensible, proactive measures could mean the difference between life and death for a beloved pet.
Check out our tips on keeping pets securely at home.
Ensure they’re easily identified
For many lost pets, impoundment occurs only because there is no physical ID tag that allows members of your community to get in touch and let you know that they’ve been found.
Without a tag, chances are your cat or dog will end up in the pound or a shelter. If they’re impounded, you’ll probably face a hefty fee to get them back home. If you can’t find them, euthanasia is a very real risk.
If your pet is lost, don’t wait and hope. In many Australian states, the minimum holding period is just three days, after which an unidentified pet can be euthanised. Start contacting pounds, shelters and rescues immediately.
Stand up for pet ownership
Dog owners exercise more (which helps them feel fitter) and both dog and cat owners sleep better and make fewer visits to the doctor. Companion animals – as the name suggests - also have a huge impact on loneliness and, therefore, our general wellbeing.
Show your support for government policies that encourage and enable pet ownership, promote responsible breeding and adoption and recognise the importance of animal welfare to social wellbeing.
Discover how you can help.
Transparency in saving lives
Euthanasia rates for councils vary greatly, depending on their commitment to saving lives, but that information is not freely available. We’re calling for transparency of performance to make shelters and pounds disclose the number of animals they rehome, and the number they put to sleep.
With the right strategies, we know we can get to zero euthanasia of healthy and treatable pets, but we need to hold pounds and shelters accountable. Transparency saves lives.
