The number of abandoned animals has continued to climb since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the number of places available in the Thionville SPA refuge does not follow. Lots of dogs, cats, rabbits etc. then find themselves on a waiting list… to end up abandoned.
Jean Martini – Today at 05:00
232 is the number of animals recovered by the Thionville SPA last June. If some owners no longer want their pets, the SPA cannot take care of them all. Animal shelters are saturated and are forced to put four-legged companions on a waiting list so that they end up abandoned.
“We cannot agree to take in more animals if we cannot take care of them properly,” explains Jennifer Megna, manager and director of the Thionville SPA refuge. For her, it is essential that animal welfare is respected, even if the owners have to wait longer to drop off their animal at the shelter. Currently, 75 dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, chickens or even goats are waiting for places in the Thionville sector.
Since the Covid, the numbers have exploded
Why such large numbers? Some of the owners realize that they are allergic to their new pet, others no longer find the time to take care of it over the years, it even happens that family situations no longer allow cohabitation with a dog or cat. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many have been new pet owners, filling the voids left by telecommuting and time spent at home. From now on, many are those who no longer have the time to deal with it and who want to get rid of it at all costs. At the same time in 2019, the number of abandoned animals was just over 50.
“We recovered a dog, it had been more than a year since he had gone for a walk, deplores Jennifer, recalling that a canine must be taken out at least once a day It is not because a dog is in a garden that he has gone out”. It is also possible to notify the shelter if a person thinks that abuse is taking place in their vicinity. A cell is dedicated to this purpose to investigate the owners.
Preliminary interviews
To prevent this kind of abusive behavior, Jennifer gives preliminary interviews to people who come to the SPA to expand their family with an animal. The goal is to “adopt responsibly”, especially for dogs, which require more time. The director studies the profile of the potential future owner and suggests breeds that might suit him. If the person refuses these offers, Jennifer reserves the right not to entrust the animal.
#Thionville #doggie #doesnt
