According to the ASPCA approximately 63 percent of homes in the US have pets. That does not include ferals, strays and animals in shelters and rescues that unfortunately do not have homes of their own. To make people more aware of how to be a better guardian, there is one month devoted to all things animal.
For some February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month. For others it is Responsible Pet Owner Month and for veterinarians there is the popular Pet Dental Month. There may be even more depending on who you talk to.
Each one of these awareness campaigns serves a purpose by spreading the word about animals on many levels. For those do not know about the real need for, and benefits of, spaying and neutering, it can save lives. For those who do not know how important vaccines and routine care is, it can help save pets from needless suffering and save owners from unnecessary expenses. And Pet Dental Month always proves to be valuable in educating people about the necessity of dental care for all animals.
The need for responsible pet owners is overwhelming on all accounts. This issue is faced by all rescues and shelters on a daily basis as they struggle to care for and find homes for millions of cats and dogs. All animals end up in these situations, in one way or another, because of people's lack of education or basic caring. Spaying and neutering may be the most important campaign of all welfare education initiative.
In general, most pets are taken to the vet once per year, some less often. The problem arises when owners are not familiar enough with the signs of illnesses and diseases to take their pet to the vet before things become serious. Cats are known to be much more stoic than dogs and therefore it can be more difficult for some to know. As well, the running joke on how to pill a cat remains funny, but sometimes true, so that never helps.
More resources have become available over the years and we now have such things as pet insurance, low-cost spay/neuter clinics and other programs available on a wider basis. And with continuing awareness months, hopefully the future will be full of more responsible pet owners and happy animals.
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