Responsible pet ownership in Latin America

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Street animals are reproducing at an alarming rate putting at risk public health

Having a pet is a joy for the home. The children love it and will find in them a friend and a new life partner. However, there is an issue when it comes to the abandonment of cats and dogs within Latin American cities. How should this issue be handled?
 
These countries try handling the situation in similar manners. They mainly concentrate around sterilization campaigns for stray dogs and cats but also work on mass awareness lobbying on the consequences of abandonment and animal abuse accompanied by stricter and more effective laws. On the bright side, these initiatives are starting to work thanks to much government effort and the impetus of animal rights organizations. Sadly, much still needs to be done to adequately eradicate this problem.
 
Another good reference are the campaigns carried out in Lima, Peru. San Isidro, for example, one of the districts that carries out the most initiatives in this area, established recommendations such as: walking your pet on a leash, collecting feces, vaccinating, registering the animal, and muzzling it if it is an aggressive breed. They also have special registry for dogs and chip placement for their search in case of misplacement.  
 
The problem is that when abandoning a domesticated animal, it is unlikely to survive in the cold world of the streets making said action the pathway to certain death. In their need to survive, most become unfriendly and may acquire rabies.
 
Authorities in countries such as Japan or Germany have set tough penalties for irresponsible owners who abandon their pets. Luckily, when it comes to the Asian nation, there is really no need even for a pet protection law because its citizens are known for taking good care of their animals and their government possesses adequate registry records of household companions. 
 
Germany is a heaven for dogs. They can enter restaurants and are given service, there are hotels especially for dogs, have rights, and pay taxes (which can reach up to USD222 per animal).
 
Having more awareness and being more respectful and responsible with our animals is not complicated. Nowadays there are many facilities for pet owners to learn how to be more in tune with their pets. We thus avoid greater evil and focus on giving them all the love they need from us.
 
 
LatinAmerican Post | Daniella Páez Otey
Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto