|
|
The Spay-Neuter Assistance Program works with various foundations and other animal welfare organizations to elevate the status of animals throughout the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We hope that by strengthening the bond between animals, people, and their environments, SNAP will create healthy animals and healthy communities.
SNAP’s approach is to develop, operate, and showcase best-practice approaches to the delivery of animal care services and to empower the people of local and international communities to replicate programs and services for animals in their area. Critical to the success of such programs is our practice of partnering with local organizations and volunteers to gain access to the various communities served. |
Dog and cat overpopulation in many foreign countries is a public health emergency. |
The Problem
The poorly run government animal control facilities in many foreign countries are basically catch and kill operations without adoption or reclaim programs. Sadly, many foreign governments do not have money for food or veterinary care, so dogs and cats starve or resort to cannibalism during their stay in these facilities. Most disturbing, however, are the methods used to destroy homeless animals. Just as there is often no money for food or veterinary care, there is frequently no money for drugs to humanely euthanize homeless animals. The methods used in many cases are brutal.
|
"Some people beg not only for themselves
but for their dogs and cats as well . . ."
|
The suffering of animals is not the only problem, of course. Animal overpopulation is also a human problem that has resulted in a costly crisis for the safety, health, and environment. Homeless dogs and cats wandering the streets and roadways bite and scratch people. It has been documented that non-neutered animals are far more likely than sterilized animals to bite people and other animals; moreover, children are victims in a significant percent of severe animal attacks (in Texas, it is 42 percent, according to the Texas Department of Health). Another aspect of public safety affected by animal overpopulation is the traffic hazard that animal pose. Many accidents, often fatal ones, are caused by animals.
Second, public health is put at risk not only because of injury but also because the great majority of homeless cats and dogs have not been vaccinated, especially against rabies, so they consequently spread disease, not just to other animals but also to humans. Travelers’ advisories for many areas recommend "pre-exposure vaccination . . . for persons staying longer than thirty days who are expected to be at risk to bites from domestic and/or wild animals (particularly dogs), or for persons engaged in high risk activities such as . . . animal handling."
Third, the effect of animal overpopulation on the environment is horrendous. Dead animals must be picked up from roadways and the animal control facilities that electrocute and drown homeless cats and dogs. In addition to the obvious tragedy for these helpless animals, tons of animal carcasses must be taken to landfills regularly, producing an environmental nightmare.
Fourth, all of these problems cost money. Property damage is often the result of roaming and homeless animals, and it is expensive to pick up, process, warehouse, and dispose of thousands of animals.
The most heartbreaking aspect of the problem is the fact that healthy, socialized dogs and cats must be cruelly killed in such huge numbers or abandoned to the streets to fall victim themselves to disease, other animals, or human cruelty and carelessness. Moreover, looking at it from a different angle, veterinarians attest that neutering an animal is in fact beneficial to his or her health, longevity, and personality. |
