(MY) no right to kill?

[Guest guest]

2007/06/28-New Straits Times

Animal Care: When pets have to be put down

By : SARAH MILLS, Kuala Lumpur

 

 

I REFER to the letter by K. Purirajen ( " We've got no right to kill

them " — NST, June 26).

Contrary to his comments, animal welfare societies, such as the

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Paws Animal

Welfare Society, are very clear in their communication with people who

choose to surrender their pets or rescued animals at their respective

shelters.

 

During the counselling, people are advised that the shelter may need

to euthanise the animal.

 

It is a terrible fact that the number of animals brought into animal

shelters by far outweigh the number of animals re-homed through

adoption, especially in Malaysia.

 

Shelters are severely limited by space and finances. Public donations

are mainly used to provide basic care like providing food and medical

care.

Many people choose to own a pet without having a real understanding of

the care and commitment required to be considered a responsible pet

owner.

 

I wonder how many people who purchase pets are really prepared to

invest food, shelter, love, time and health care to that animal in its

lifetime (of 10 to 16 years)?

 

The main reason there are huge numbers of unwanted animals at shelters

and even greater numbers of strays roaming the streets is because most

pet owners have not had their pets sterilised. The result of this is

unwanted litters of puppies and kittens that are often dumped by

roadside, in bins, in markets or surrendered to overburdened animal

shelters.

 

There are people who dump their unwanted and unsterilised pets on the

street, leaving them to die through starvation, disease, abuse or to

be run down by vehicles.

 

I do not believe that any animal welfare society willingly euthanises

animals that are not suffering, but as long as pet owners do not

sterilise their pets, there is little choice.