Pet ownership has boomed as more and more people from around the world are taking up jobs here. However, as The National reported yesterday, many of those pets are abandoned when their owners leave the country or decide, for some reason, that they can no longer look after them.
Abandoning a pet is a cruel and selfish act, and one that affects not just the animal but the entire community. Stray cats and dogs can foul public areas, spread disease, create unwelcome noise and, in extreme cases, frighten or attack people or other animals. If not for the voluntary efforts of animal welfare groups, the problem would be much worse than it is.
The message is simple: think twice before acquiring a pet. If you do, commit to caring for it for the rest of its life. That means feeding and grooming it, ensuring it gets the proper exercise and mental stimulation – and undertaking to relocate it when the time comes.
