The behavioral category is the least frequently noted of the three broader categories that explain why people abandon or surrender pets. That surprises some people.
However, the causes are more straightforward to remedy than transitional or financial conditions that might be beyond the control of an individual.
Look at some behavioral conditions that might cause someone to give up a companion animal.
Behavioral Concerns That Cause a Pet to Go to a Rescue or Animal Shelter
Few pets are “untrainable.” The problem arises when people don’t know the importance of encouraging excellent pet behavior. So to be clear, this setback comes from human error.
- Owners find they “don’t have time” for a pet after adoption.
- New owners play rough with a cute, fluffy puppy–forgetting that it will grow up to be a large, or even overpowering, adult dog.
- They fail to train the pet, creating pet behavioral challenges. Dogs and cats must learn basic manners, housetraining or litter training, and respect for their human family members and visitors.
- They do not teach their children to interact appropriately with the pet, resulting in an injury.
- Unplanned and unwanted pet pregnancies.
- Unaltered pets slip outside and take off to pursue their natural mating tendencies, sometimes never to be seen again.
Fortunately, two things solve these problems.
First, you need a good training program for the pet and all family members who interact with the companion animal daily. Training must start on day one when the pet enters the home. Consistency, repetition, and positive rewards achieve a desirable outcome.
Second, companion animals must be spayed or neutered. Companion Animal Advocates of Bertie feels so adamantly about it that we include this recommendation as part of our Core Beliefs statement.
How CAABertie Will Help Address Behaviors to Help Stem the Flow of Shelter Intakes
Companion Animals of Bertie will take a two-pronged approach to address behavioral issues and companion animals.
First, we will develop educational content available on this website and on our Facebook and YouTube channels. We aim to serve as a resource for Bertie County pet owners. Content will include training tips from our advocates (who are all experienced pet owners) and medical information (reviewed by our science advisor, Dr. Cheryl Powell, D.V.M).
We will also advocate for pets in the community. You will find us at local events and partnering with schools and libraries. In fact, you’ll find our community ambassadors wherever we can find an audience ready to learn more about responsible pet ownership.
Secondly, we will advocate tirelessly to the Bertie County Board of Commissioners to participate in NC SPAN (spay and neuter). This program provides vouchers to low-income families who also deserve to have pets but sometimes cannot afford the cost of the spay or neuter procedure.
Our companion animal advocates will attend Board of Commissioners meetings. We will explain the program’s value and how it saves the lives of animals, engenders healthier living for county residents, and saves money.