Dog Abandonment - Causes and How to Prevent It

Unfortunately, every year we're hit again by dog abandonment figures, but also of other pets, like cats, rabbits, or even small rodents.

Irresponsible people who kick their animals out of the house use a whole bunch of excuses to justify themselves. We go over them and note how they could be prevented. The key lies in education and spreading awareness about responsible pet ownership rules.

I'm Moving and Can't Bring My Dog

Moving is one of the reasons often behind abandonment. By abandonment, we mean both its crudest form, meaning leaving the dog directly on the street, and taking it to a pound or shelter. Generally, any change within the family can serve as an excuse.

For example, a pregnancy, a baby's birth, or an allergy. But illness or the death of the animal's main caretaker can also lead the family to get rid of the dog.

I Don't Love My Dog Anymore

Unfortunately, some people don't think through or don't know what living with a dog involves. Puppies are adorable, but they relieve themselves indoors, destroy everything, and don't know basic commands or coexistence rules. Time and effort need to be invested in their training, and not every supposed caretaker is willing.

On another note, dogs grow up, and they need to be walked, fed, cared for, taken to the vet, and so on. And this every day of their life, regardless of our workload, the weather, or whether our health is better or worse. Simply put, some people don't accept this, and the result is disastrous for the dog.

I Can't Support My Dog Anymore

Other times, the reason for getting rid of a dog is financial hardship. For example, losing a job or its conditions worsening to the point of not being able to cover the cost of feeding and caring for an animal.

That said, it can also be due to a shift in personal interests, preferring to spend on other activities rather than continuing to support a dog. Especially if it causes frequent vet expenses or needs treatment considered expensive.

My Dog Behaves Very Badly

So-called behavioral issues are another very common cause used to justify abandonment. This term refers to disorders that cause difficulties in coexistence. For example, the dog barking excessively, urinating indoors, not obeying, and so on.

These kinds of problems are due to poor handling by caretakers. A dog that hasn't been properly socialized, isn't well trained or stimulated, or doesn't have its basic needs met, will be stressed and will show it through behaviors we'll find very unpleasant.

Abandonment of Hunting Dogs

Although hunting groups repeatedly refuse to accept the evidence and address the situation the dogs they use experience, the data's reality is undeniable. Every year, animal shelter organizations in Spain take in a majority of hunting dogs.

And that's counting mainly, above all, Greyhounds, Podencos, and mixes. Other hunting dogs, like a Cocker, aren't counted in this group since they're much more common as companion pets. Besides the questionable living conditions hunting dogs endure, many are abandoned when they don't perform as expected.

It's no excuse to say not every hunter mistreats or abandons their dogs. Even if a single dog used by this group is in this situation, that's already reason enough for the relevant federations to take action instead of denying the problem.

The Problem Grows With Unwanted Litters

But without a doubt, the main cause of abandonment is the litters born every year with no control at all. Female dogs usually have a couple of heat cycles a year, and can give birth to anywhere from a couple of puppies to eight, ten, or even more. And this happens throughout practically every year of their life, from their first heat, which usually occurs before a year old.

There aren't enough responsible homes to take in all these puppies every year. The result is abandonment. Unfortunately, many people let their dogs breed out of the excitement of witnessing motherhood, without thinking about the consequences. In other cases, it's due to an accident. Either way, the problem is the same.

Key Elements to Prevent Abandonment

There's no valid excuse for getting rid of a dog. None. Unless you die and it's out of your hands. No one would ever consider it if, instead of a dog, it were a child, a sibling, or a mother. And that's the key idea: understanding that the dog we choose is a family member from day one until its death.

If we're not willing to take on the effort and sacrifices caring for it properly throughout its life requires, we shouldn't adopt a dog. Having one isn't mandatory. But, if we decide to, we should never forget it's a living being with needs. From there, to prevent abandonment, we should keep in mind:

1. Research before adopting. Read about canine psychology and learn to socialize, train, stimulate, and exercise your dog before it comes home. Also, keep in mind a dog will live an average of 14 years, and will need more care as it ages.
2. Everyone living in the home needs to agree on the adoption, even if there's only one main caretaker.
3. Adopt and trust the advice given by the shelter organization. For example, don't insist on wanting a hyperactive dog when your lifestyle is entirely sedentary.
4. Always sterilize — you'll prevent unwanted litters even by accident, and you'll also prevent serious health problems like pyometra or mammary tumors.
5. If cohabitation poses any issue, see a behavior professional or ethologist immediately. It can be resolved.
6. In the case that, after trying absolutely everything, the dog was unhappy, or you suffered a serious illness preventing you from caring for it, the pound or shelter is never the option — instead, find it a home, starting with family and friends.