Hundreds of animals are deserted yearly in Northern Ireland following the festive season because the novelty of receiving a pet as a Christmas current has worn off.
Pictured (l-r) are Gemma Daly, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, DAERA with Fergus the canine and Nora Smith, CEO of the USPCA with Charlie the cat. Both pets have been not too long ago rehomed by the USPCA.
With Christmas approaching, the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has teamed up with the well-known Northern Ireland animal welfare charity, the Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) to attraction to the general public to suppose very fastidiously earlier than selecting a pet as a gift for a liked one.
The USPCA, like each different animal welfare charity, is inundated with animals which have been purchased as Christmas presents, however which individuals then discover they don’t have sufficient time, house or money to take care of. In January of this 12 months, the charity had over 50 animals at their centre who wanted a brand new home.
Gemma Daly, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, DAERA mentioned: “Pets are sometimes purchased at Christmas as presents for family members and while there isn’t a doubt potential house owners should not in search of to do any hurt, sadly, if cautious consideration has not been given to the implications of bringing a brand new pet right into a family, they will find yourself having to give up them.
“Different pets have a variety of vital and numerous wants and it’s essential that potential house owners guarantee they will present for an animal’s care and veterinary wants all through their total lifetime. Advice on how you can look after a variety of pets is available on NI Direct and potential house owners ought to first familiarise themselves with the obligations that include being the proprietor of an animal earlier than making any choices on how you can proceed.”
Gemma added: “I would also remind people of the fantastic work that animal welfare establishments such as the USPCA undertake and urge people to rehome an animal from these shelters rather than going out to buy a pet. Animal welfare establishments have identified that they are struggling with the huge number of pets being abandoned and rehoming means you can play your part in giving a pet its forever home.”
Nora Smith, CEO of the USPCA, acknowledged: “It could seem counter-intuitive that we don’t encourage anybody to purchase or undertake a brand new pet at Christmas given our Centre is stuffed with animals in want of a brand new home. However it’s an upsetting actuality that within the weeks and months after Christmas we are sometimes requested to soak up puppies, kittens and different pets given as presents as soon as the novelty has worn off.
“It’s not simply young animals that come to us, older animals may be discarded to make method for brand new ones. Bringing a brand new pet into your loved ones is among the most rewarding experiences. However, it’s a life-long dedication. It’s so vital you’re absolutely knowledgeable and conscious of the duty that’s concerned.
“Therefore, our recommendation is wait till after the Christmas holidays have handed with a view to present the time and house required to welcome a brand new pet into your home. If potential pet mother and father want to reserve an animal earlier than Christmas, our Animal Welfare crew can match them with probably the most appropriate pet for his or her home to be collected as soon as all of the festivities are over.”
The USPCA and DAERA are encouraging potential pet house owners to undertake quite than purchase. There are 1000’s of animals in Animal Welfare charities in determined want of a second likelihood. Adoption additionally helps stop animals from being bought from unscrupulous breeders and offers a stunning companion animal an opportunity of a cheerful new life.
Notes to editors:
1. It is a prison offence to depart an animal unattended and to fail to look after it correctly. Owners may face prosecution for abandonment and imprisonment for as much as six months, and/or a fantastic of as much as £5,000. If a pet animal suffers due to abandonment, then house owners may very well be prosecuted for animal welfare offences and face even more durable penalties of as much as 5 years in jail.
2. Under the Paws for Thought marketing campaign, DAERA, councils and PSNI work collectively to detect, examine, and prosecute criminals concerned within the unlawful breeding and trafficking of low welfare pups. Prospective house owners ought to guarantee they don’t inadvertently assist this merciless commerce as these illegally bred pups are saved in abhorrent situations and endure terribly with a variety of well being situations. The criminals concerned in breeding these pups in such situations are solely within the revenue they will obtain and most of the pups endure severe medical problems and even die shortly after folks take possession of them.
3. Anyone who has info on unlawful breeding, abandonment of pets or struggling being triggered to pets ought to contact their native council animal welfare officer. Contact particulars on NI Direct. Animal welfare – local councils | nidirect
4. The USPCA is the second oldest animal welfare charity on the earth. Formed in 1836, its goals are the prevention of cruelty to animals, the aid of struggling in animals and the development of animal welfare.
5. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.
6. All media queries ought to be directed to the DAERA Press Office at: [email protected]
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries solely between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The obligation press officer may be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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