Public asked to adopt a pet rather than buy one this Christmas in bid to drive down numbers of abandoned animals

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 appeal to the public to think very carefully before choosing a pet as a present for a loved one.

The USPCA, like every other animal welfare charity, is inundated with animals which have been bought as Christmas presents, but which people then find they don’t have enough time, space or money to look after.

In January of this year, the charity had over 50 animals at their centre who needed a new home.

The USPCA, like every other animal welfare charity, is inundated with animals which have been bought as Christmas presents, but which people then find they don’t have enough time, space or money to look after.

Gemma Daly, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, DAERA said: “Pets are often bought at Christmas as presents for loved ones and whilst there is no doubt potential owners are not seeking to do any harm, unfortunately, if careful consideration has not been given to the implications of bringing a new pet into a household, they can end up having to surrender them.“Different pets have a range of important and diverse needs and it is critical that prospective owners ensure they can provide for an animal’s care and veterinary needs throughout their entire lifetime.

“Advice on how to care for a range of pets is available on NI Direct and prospective owners should first familiarise themselves with the responsibilities that come with being the owner of an animal before making any decisions on how to 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, stated: “It may seem counter-intuitive that we do not encourage anyone to buy or adopt a new pet at Christmas given our Centre is full of animals in need of a new home.

“However it’s an upsetting reality that in the weeks and months after Christmas we are often asked to take in puppies, kittens and other pets given as presents once the novelty has worn off.

“It’s not just young animals that come to us, older animals can be discarded to make way for new ones.

“Bringing a new pet into your family is one of the most rewarding experiences. However, it is a life-long commitment.

“It’s so important you are fully informed and aware of the responsibility that is involved.

“Therefore, our advice is wait until after the Christmas holidays have passed in order to provide the time and space required to welcome a new pet into your home. If prospective pet parents would like to reserve an animal before Christmas, our Animal Welfare team can match them with the most suitable pet for their home to be collected once all the festivities are over.”

The USPCA and DAERA are encouraging prospective pet owners to adopt rather than buy.

There are thousands of animals in Animal Welfare charities in desperate need of a second chance.

Adoption also helps prevent animals from being purchased from unscrupulous breeders and gives a lovely companion animal a chance of a happy new life.

Wise words

Regards Mark

Public asked to adopt a pet rather then buy one this Christmas in bid to drive down numbers of abandoned animals (yahoo.com)

Animal rights groups have filed a lawsuit to stop a three-day rodeo planned next year at Petco Park, which the groups allege will lead to the abuse of animals featured in the event.

The lawsuit against the Padres and C5 Rodeo, the company operating the San Diego Rodeo, was filed Thursday in San Diego Superior Court. The San Diego Rodeo is planned for Jan. 12-14, the first-ever rodeo to be held at the ballpark and the first time a rodeo has been held in the city of San Diego since the 1980s.

The plaintiffs, the animal rights groups Animal Protection and Rescue League and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, allege the rodeo company conducting the event, C5 Rodeo, utilizes electric prods and similar devices to shock animals.

“The rodeos tie tight bucking straps around their abdomens and then they often actually shock the horses before they ride into the arena with a rider on their back and that’s why they’re bucking wildly and they sometimes fall down,” said Bryan Pease, the San Diego attorney who is representing the animal rights groups in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also alleges that the Padres and C5 Rodeo are violating San Diego’s municipal code which prohibits non-service animals from being at Petco Park during a Padres event.

“They haven’t sought any sort of special exemption or anything thing. They just plan to go ahead with bringing farm animals into Petco park so that men can chase them around and wrestle and lasso them and electric shock them, which is actually how the so-called bucking broncos end up acting the way they do,” Pease said.

In a statement to NBC 7, a spokesperson for C5 Rodeo said: “In our preparations for the San Diego Rodeo, we have worked with industry professionals to establish and implement animal safety measures. We are committed to providing the very best care for the contestants and livestock and abide all California laws regulating the treatment and use of animals.”

Pease also authored a resolution that calls for the city to pass an ordinance banning electric devices at rodeos. The resolution, which was passed unanimously by the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee last month, also calls for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria to deny an event permit for the January rodeo.

A Padres spokesman said no comment could be provided regarding the lawsuit.

But regarding the rodeo itself, the Padres said,  “We have been assured by the group that is hosting this event that the safety, security and well-being of the contestants and livestock of the San Diego Rodeo are of the utmost importance. They are event professionals who are experts in livestock handling and care, as well as pre-event, event and post-event care for the contestants. Animal welfare is a major ongoing initiative of the professional sport of rodeo and the San Diego Rodeo, and the event hosts pledge to continue the strict enforcement of these rules and regulations.”

NBC 7 reached out to Petco, which pays for naming rights to the Padres’ stadium but does not have a hand in ballpark operations, for comment but has not heard back.

The city of San Diego says they have not received a special event permit application for this event yet, but they noted that it is not due until two weeks prior to the event.

Regards Mark

Animal rights groups sue to stop 3-day San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park (msn.com)