The Challenges of Kitchener Animal Control Industry Kitchener Animal Control Industry

The Kitchener animal control industry is not exempt from hurdles and challenges. In the

eagerness of the people working in this sector to find help, the animals under their care find a

forever home for the abandoned, unwanted and sometimes abused animals and pets, they need

to find ways to overcome the various impediments and stumbling blocks that they come

across with. The challenges they come face to face with come in many different forms but the

most pressing ones for them include the scarcity of centralized funding. Since most of them

are a non-profit organization, the overwhelming number of animals in their shelter that needs

their help, public ignorance concerning the billowing population of unwanted animals in shelters

and pounding areas, the general notion of the public regarding rescued animals, and why people

are hesitant to adopt shelter animals, all these are contributing to the surmounting veritable

problems of the animal control sector.

Needless to say, we need to help the animal control industry and we can do so by

disseminating information about the nature of work carried out by animal shelters, why they

need to exist and what failure to be of help to them will signify. By raising public awareness

regarding the important role they play in our society, we are going to help increase public

interest in what they are working on and what they represent. If the general public would

understand why certain household pets are finding their way to the animal shelters and

public pounding areas, there would be a lesser number of irresponsible pet owners. With this

in mind, here are the topmost issues that are currently plaguing the animal control industry.

1. Lack of public awareness

Of all the issues that have beleaguered the animal control sector, the general public not

knowing how they should care for their animals is holding the top position in this list. One

important role played by the animal control industry is to help look for the unwanted and

abandoned animals under their care, a good loving home. Find for them someone who will

take care of them and will really have a genuine concern for their safety and well-being.

With respect to a study conducted by the SPCA, about 34% of the dog population from

around the globe are acquired and purchased by owners from breeders. But only a

meager 23% of the population though is believed to have come from animal shelters. Needless

to say, we can see that these percentages show us that people prefer to get their

household pets from breeders. Obtaining a pet from animal shelters or impounding facility

is not a likely option for many.

Moreover, animal shelter workers are having a hard time in persuading the general public to

have their pets undergo neutering/spaying process, which would have helped deter population

explosion for qualified household pets. This is the main reason why animal shelters and

humane societies often hold charity events. They make use of such activities not only to educate

people why it is better to adopt an unwanted animal from a shelter but also to let them know the

sad plight that an animal is going to have if an irresponsible pet owner becomes derelict of

his duties and obligations in having a pet.

     2. Sourcing funds for an animal shelter are difficult.

Running an animal shelter is a tough commitment to make. Most of the time, people working in

such facilities are often caught up between their desire to help to as many animals as they

possibly could and the need to find financial resources and sponsorships to help keep the facility

running and going. These issues they are facing are often compounded by the fact that they

receive a very little subsidy or very little federal funding is available to them. The limited financial

resources they have, needless to say, is also putting a limit to the number of animals they can

take in and the quality of support that their facility can provide. This will also have a direct

impact on the number of staff that they can hire to help in caring for the unwanted animals. But

overall, their limited financial resource will determine how effective these animal shelters can be.

Hence, these shelters are often grateful and welcome people who are finding time to voluntarily

work for them in helping care for the unwanted animals.

    3. An overwhelming number of unwanted pets are needing space.

Believe it or not, millions of animals in Canada and the US find their way into an animal shelter

each year. The majority of them are common household pets such as dogs and cats. This is a

8mind-boggling number of animals being brought to animal shelters every year. Such figures

mean to say that even if these animal shelters try their very best to find another home for

them, the task of doing so would be insurmountable. This is due to the overwhelming number

of animals that they need to attend to and need to find a home. If the number of unwanted animals

under their care reaches a point that they won’t be able to accommodate them anymore, they

will be down through euthanasia.

Some animal shelters adopt a “no kill” principle. Their facilities only have a very limited space

and may only accommodate a limited number of unwanted pets. The moment that their shelters

reached the limit to the number of animals they can support and care for, they may need to

refuse accepting incoming animals.  If this happens, they may need to refer them instead to some

other animal shelters.

Final Word on Animal Control in Kitchener

The problems plaguing the Kitchener animal control industry will persist. This likely to happen 

if the general public will continue in its irresponsible treatment of animals. Unless we have a

change of heart and start to see these common household pets as living beings, looking up to us,

humans, for affection and care we may never witness the kind of change that we want to see

in the near future.