Every summer, the phenomenon repeats itself. The abandonment of pets is increasing and the shelters find themselves saturated when they are already under tension. In Versoud, in Isère, at the Apagi refuge, the trainers have already collected more than a hundred animals since May.
Summer is not over and the shelters are already full. The SPA has launched on its website a sad meter : more than 12 000 animals have been abandoned in France since the beginning of the summer, of which nearly 8 000 cats and kittens. On his account Twitterthe SPA warns : “LThe drama is here as the summer is far from over.”
At the shelter of Solderedin Isère, Emma and Vincent have been sensitive to the appeal launched in recent weeks by the SPA : “On decided to get a new kitten because ours passed away and we are ready to welcome a new member to the family. We wanted an ethical adoption, so it seemed to us in line with our plan to go through a shelter or a foster family.”
Both are aware what this adoption requires a great responsibility: “We know it’s a kitten, so here we commit for 10 or even 15 years. It’s a commitment, it’s not nothing.”
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To leave with the kitten, Emma and Vincent will have to pay a financial contribution of around 200 euros. An additional precaution for the shelter, which makes it a point of honor to find the right family. “Pour adopting a dog for example, we ask that there be at least two visits to the shelter, that people go for a walk with the dog for those who know them at least,” explains Lucille Erkelens, dog trainer at Apagi du Versoud.
The abandonment of animals in the summer period is a recurring phenomenon, to which is added this year the repercussions of the pandemic. At the shelter of Soldereda hundred animals have already been collected since the beginning of May with a peak since the beginning of summer. “Right now, it’s very complicated. We get between four and five dogs a week from the pound,” says Stéphanie Hauser, secretary at Apagi.
For people who do not wish to travel with their pet, or those who simply cannot, there are many solutions such as pensions, home care or home visits.
As a reminder, the abandonment of a pet is considered a crime, it is therefore punishable by law. The perpetrators face up to 3 years in prison and 45 000 euro fine. Another reason to think before adopting an animal.
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