Pet owners in financial difficulties urged not to dump animals

The Barbados Veterinary Association (BVA) is appealing to pet owners who may be experiencing financial difficulties not to dump their animals.

President Dr Patricia Bedford told Barbados TODAY that this was a trend throughout the heightened stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and it was an act of animal cruelty.

She was speaking during an Animal Wellness Day event hosted by her organisation in collaboration with Massy Distribution at Brandon’s, St Michael on Saturday.

“We want to nip that in the bud. We want to let people know the things that they can do, they don’t have to go to the extreme of dumping. If they can’t take care of the animal they can reach out, the animal welfare community is there to lend assistance,” she said.

“A lot of our members who know that their clients cannot afford it, what they do is have a payment plan. There are always [alternative] ways [to deal with the situation], always ask your vet first for assistance.

“Dumping is never the answer because the animal will just roam, it would either starve, be hit by a car, be attacked by animals, no one wants that to happen.So reach out and ask questions first, contact animal control. It is more humane to let the animal be euthanised than to let the animal go and roam especially an animal that is used to being in a house.”

Bedford said the event usually takes place in April but it was postponed due to the uncertainties associated with the pandemic.

She said it was important that the event is still held because it gives people whose pockets may be strained the opportunity to get their animals checked for free.

“Today is just to give back. We know it’s been very difficult over the past two years because of COVID-19 people may not have as much money. The vets in the community are still going. We worked throughout COVID-19 too, we were one of those medical facilities that never closed. So, we said we’ll give back to the public of Barbados. For those who need it, they can bring their pets and we will examine them for free. If there’s anything else that is needed, we’ll direct them to other clinics that they can go for a follow up.”

A number of people brought their animals, mostly dogs, to get examined for free.

Some of the other groups in the animal welfare fraternity taking part in the event were the Animal Control Unit, Ocean Acres and the Barbados rabbit Farmers Association.

Brand manager for the agro-division of Massy Distribution Janelle Fletcher said this was a noteworthy event Massy wanted to be involved in as it supported the tenets of animal welfare, adding that it was also a good opportunity for people to register their dogs. (SZB)