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What is an animal NGO?

Animals nonprofit organizations are non-governmental organizations that are involved in causes related to the protection of the rights of pets and stray animals. Dogs and cats are the most common human companions in urban environments. More than 12,000 years ago, a close relationship between them and humans began. Almost all household dogs and cats have become pets in the modern city. They have become full-fledged family members and companions. However, the irresponsibility and indifference of people destroy the established bond between humans and pets. Uncontrolled breeding, and abandoned unwanted offspring, have led to the problem of homelessness of animals and further exacerbate it in urban ecosystems. Thus, one of the urgent problems of the city now is the presence and increase in the number of stray animals, which necessitates the development of a set of measures to solve this problem. This is exactly what non-governmental animal organizations do.

Why are nonprofit animal organizations relevant?

The problem of homeless animals is currently acquiring significant proportions. It requires special study and analysis, on the part of Animals protection organizations, as the formation of a new worldview of the population, as well as the creation of effective public policy aimed at solving the problem, are among the important factors of ecological culture. Stray animals are carriers of ecto- and endoparasites, intestinal diseases, and rabies. They are often victims of human cruelty and even sadism. Animal protection associations and organizations constantly say that from a sanitary-epidemiological and social point of view, animals should not be allowed to roam and die in the streets. Animal homelessness must be dealt with, but it is homelessness that must be dealt with, not animals. More and more animal-saving organizations are forming every year, and they play a major role in animal rescue efforts. Organizations supporting sustainable animals have identified several causes of homeless animals on city streets. 1. Overproduction of animals for commercial purposes causes a mismatch between supply and demand, and “surplus” animals end up on the streets; 2. Urbanization, combined with advances in veterinary medicine, has created conditions that allow stray animals to live longer and be able to reproduce; 3. The rapid natural reproduction of dogs and cats; 4. Irresponsible owners throwing the “tired toy” out on the street. There is an increase in the number of stray animals, especially in the summertime, when owners, going on vacation, throw animals out into the street; 5. Failure to follow dog walking rules (dogs run away from inattentive owners); 6. A year-round surplus of available food (uncovered litter boxes) and shelters; 7. Pet owners don't spay or neuter their pets; 8. Lack of public education on the part of the state; 9. Lack of shelters; 10. Lack of a system of accounting for pets; The problem of homeless animals is acute in today's world, so the relevance of animal helping organizations is rapidly increasing. More and more people are joining such animal welfare societies to unite their efforts and direct them towards helping their four-legged friends.

What actions are non-profit organizations taking to address the problem of homeless animals?

To reduce the number of homeless animals and, consequently, the number of animal adoptions in shelters, animal protection organizations encourage and promote the prevention of owner-owned animal breeding and take measures to improve the culture of keeping animals. At the same time, dog welfare organizations also work to prevent the uncontrolled walking of owned dogs (and sometimes cats too), and to register and identify them (dog tags, tattoos, and microchips). For decades, developed countries have formed systems for controlling the number and maintenance of pets. The main measures that non-profit animal organizations are taking to address the problem include: ● Compulsory registration of all dogs and cats with owners, assigning each animal a number and an identification label; ● The creation of shelters that are obligated to accept all dogs and cats whose owners refuse to give them up, so-called “unlimited admission” shelters; ● Mandatory “non-returnable capture” of homeless animals and their placement in “unlimited admission” shelters; ● Creation of charities in support of homeless animals; ● Holding rallies and agitations against testing cosmetics on animals; ● Creation of a comprehensive program to reduce the number of homeless animals, and work in two directions: work with pet owners and work with stray animals. The work of an animal protection agency is tremendous. Animals have become full-fledged family members and companions. Various scientific studies prove that dogs and cats can be very useful both psychologically and from the point of view of health. They reduce stress, which improves immune system function, relieve loneliness and anxiety, and treat their owners with companionship and love. It is not uncommon for organizations to help animals to adopt stray dogs into families, where they become indispensable helpers for the disabled and the elderly.

How to Choose Nonprofit Animal Organizations

When choosing an NGO working for animal welfare, there are several criteria to consider so that working with the organization will yield the best possible results. These include: ● what field the organization works in (charity, shelters, preventive measures to prevent the breeding of stray animals); ● what location the organization works in and whether it has a mandate in the area you are interested in; ● previous experience and effectiveness of animal welfare organizations. A study of non-profit organizations for animals allowed us to come to the general conclusion: the problem of homelessness is both ecological and social. From ecological positions, this phenomenon is negative because it affects the constitutional rights of citizens to health protection and a favorable environment. The social nature of the problem is indicated by the study of the causes of animal homelessness, as well as people's neglect of sanitary norms in breeding and keeping animals. Society is unaware of its responsibility in connection with the emerging situation – from human health to urban ecology and habitat as a whole, so organizations that help animals have a lot of work ahead.

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