SPCA: We're not just a home for unwanted pets

The Straits Times-Home, Sat Feb 4 2006

Nowadays, more and more people seem to think that owning a pet is a thing not to be taken seriously, and often, after the novelty of owning a pet wears off, the pet is usually 'dumped' in the SPCA, which is also known as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I feel really angry that there are people who are so irresponsible out there, who think that they can just get a pet as and when they feel like it and give it away when it has outgrown its cuteness or they are no longer interested in the pet. A pet is also a living creature, one that has feelings of its own and can think for itself. I believe that even pets deserve a little of our respect, and we should learn to look at it as a friend and not just a mere plaything that we can abandon when we grow tired of it.
After reading this article, i am apalled at how many people take the SPCA for granted, leaving all their unwanted pets behind for the SPCA to handle. The SPCA does not have the budget to care for all these animals and those that are unable to be relocated to new homes are often put to sleep as a final solution. I find this really disheartening as i know that if the owner had been more resposible, the animal would probably still be alive. Majority of the people think that all the SPCA does is to take in stray animals and nothing else, however that is not true. The SPCA actually specialises in 4 main services: education, adpotion, sterilisation and cruelty investigation. Therefore i support the SPCA's move on creating awarness among the public of its services, and also to spread its animal welfare message by giving talks in schools and allowing group visits to the SPCA centre by schools and other organisation. By educating the public, i believe that there will be less pets abandoned and hence less strays on the road, which will result in many animals' lives being spared from being ruined by irresponsible owners.
I am glad and relieved to see that the efforts of the SPCA in promoting awarness among the public has paid off, as the number of abandoned and stray animals has decreased in the past two years. But sadly, the figure of stray and abandoned animals received by the SPCA still remains high.
Someday in the near future, i sincerely hope that the figure of stray and abandoned animals will reach an all time low, and eventually reach a point where the world will be free from strays. This way, the world would be a much better place to live in as we would not have to worry about stray animals that may carry rabbies or other diseases, and we all will be happy to know that each and every pet in the world now has a safe and loving home that they can seek refuge in, and not wandering out on the streets, all alone and without hope.