Are local pet owners giving up on their pets?
Gero said people failed to research or realise the responsibility which comes with owning a pet.
According to Heather Gero, who spoke on behalf of the Newcastle SPCA, large numbers of animals are being surrendered to the organisation. This reality has come as a shock to them.
“Irrespective of the season, people do not do their research, or fail to realise the responsibility that comes with owning a pet, and end up handing the animals over to the SPCA,” said Gero.
She explained there were many reasons why animals were brought into the SPCA daily, such as relocation, change of environment, divorce or even illness. Gero added no matter the situation, any surrender of an animal would be understood and ‘received with open arms’.
Another growing issue the society faces are animals which are deemed unfit for adoption or being kept as a pet, due to reasons such as the animal being anti-social, vicious or even sickly.
“It is not your right to own a pet; it is a privilege, and it is your responsibility as a pet owner to ensure you love and care for your animal in the correct manner, no matter the circumstances. There is always a way to solve the problem and ensure the best possible future for the animal.”
She has encouraged the community to adopt, rather than purchase a pet from either a store or ‘back yard breeders’.
“Back yard breeders do not have concern or interest who they sell their animals to, and somewhere along the line the animal could end up unhappy and not cared for,” she said. “Someone has to do something for the animals, and the best possible way to prevent animal abuse is to be a responsible pet owner.”
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