Veterinarians Slam Pet Abuse
 
“This week’s reports of 17 St Alban’s cats found needing veterinary attention, two cats and two dogs left to starve in Hoon Hay, Christchurch, and a court case report of 33 dogs shot in a ‘massacre’ are just the tip of the iceberg,” Dr Wayne Ricketts, Veterinary Resource Manager at New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), said.
 
“These are just three stories that came across my desk this week, and are added to the pile of 12 reports in February from different newspapers of cruel and inhumane treatment of pets, and a further nine during March,” he said.
 
“Responsible pet owners are the norm, but NZVA membership is sickened by ongoing reports of beaten, ill-treated and starved pets.  SPCA officials and veterinarians hate hearing about, and dealing with, abandoned litters, amateur ear cropping, tail docking and botched euthanasia efforts.
 
“The results are often heart-breaking for those professionals who are required to clean up the mess – often at no charge as owners have disappeared,” Dr Ricketts said.
 
New Zealanders should be outraged as mistreatment of pets clearly resonates with the public; why else are animal rescue programmes so frequently played on our televisions?
Pets are for life, not just for a while.   Veterinarians urge people contemplating getting a pet to weigh up the cost over the lifetime of the animal, not just in terms of food, but also animal health, vaccinations, exercise requirements and neutering.
 
“These days pet owners can even consider pet insurance to help spread the veterinary costs, and ensure that funds are available when an animal meets with an accident or illness,” Dr Ricketts said.
 
“Cute puppies and kittens for birthdays turn into dependent animals requiring ongoing shelter, care, warmth, food and attention.  If it’s not going to be available, don’t adopt that animal,” Dr Wayne Ricketts concluded.

ENDS

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