The mistreatment of domestic animals is unacceptable in all cultures and religions, and it is incumbent on everyone who keeps a pet to ensure its health and welfare. Sadly, animal welfare workers say that there has been an increasing tendency for people to regard pets as disposable items, leading to large numbers of abandoned cats and dogs on our streets. As reported in The National yesterday, there has been a spike in the number of dumped animals, because many people only think short-term when they acquire a pet.
There are many factors contributing to the problem, but one of the major ones is the transient nature of the workforce. Many expatriates leave their pets behind when they return home. Lesley Muncey, chairwoman of Feline Friends, said that arrangements for pets were often the “last thing on people’s mind” when they moved. She even cited cases of people who had left their pets locked inside an empty flat or villa.
This phenomenon, coupled with a lack of shelters, has given rise to the number of people who take in more abandoned animals than they can reasonably look after. More often than not, these well-intentioned people end up creating more suffering for the animals and endanger their own health and public sanitation.
Whose responsibility is it to ensure the safety of domestic animals? Unlike humans, pets are not the responsibility of the state, and there is no law against abandoning them. In some countries, it is governments and non-profit organisations, such as societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, that have taken the lead in requiring pets be treated well. Some countries takes it a step further and regulate pet ownership, including ensuring they have a suitable environment and healthy diet.
We need to have a public conversation about this issue, starting with education about the proper care of animals. If you decide to own a pet, you must be prepared to look after it for life, even if that means taking it with you if you leave the country.
