In this blog post, we’ll explore why the problem of pet abandonment persists and how the responsibilities that come with adopting a pet are often underestimated.
Dogs and cats have lived alongside humans since time immemorial. In ancient times, our bond with animals began with attempts to domesticate wild animals to meet human needs. As civilization progressed, domesticated animals transcended mere practical purposes to become companions sharing our lives. However, this long-standing relationship between humans and pets has faced a new crisis as human lifestyles have changed.
While the Earth’s land area has not changed significantly over time, the population living on it has steadily increased. Consequently, human housing patterns have also undergone continuous change. The living environment has become increasingly densely populated, shifting from detached houses scattered across vast plots of land to multi-family villas where several generations live together, and then to apartment-centered housing where tens to hundreds of households coexist.
The problem is that companion animals are living beings that also require a certain amount of space for activity and a suitable living environment. With urbanization and the spread of apartment living, the space available for companion animals has become increasingly limited. As they have been unable to fully adapt to these environmental changes, various conflicts have arisen, such as barking and waste disposal issues. In many cases, these conflicts ultimately lead to owners abandoning their pets.
A prime example of the problems resulting from this is the rise in the number of abandoned animals. In South Korea, tens of thousands of dogs and cats are rescued as abandoned animals every year, and a significant number of them either fail to find new families or die of natural causes or are euthanized. Furthermore, enormous social costs are incurred in rescuing, sheltering, treating, and caring for these abandoned animals. In addition, various social problems arise, such as noise and sanitation issues, as well as disruption to the ecosystem. So, what are the specific reasons behind the abandonment of these animals?
According to various surveys conducted by animal welfare organizations, the primary reason people fail to take full responsibility for their pets until the end is not loss but abandonment. In other words, it is evident that a significant number of pets are not lost but are given away to others or abandoned by their owners’ choice.
The primary reasons for giving pets away or abandoning them are barking and toileting issues. A significant portion of the reasons for abandoning pets stem from conflicts with neighbors or toileting problems. This demonstrates that there is still insufficient awareness that pets are living beings, not toys or cute dolls. In many cases, barking and toileting issues can be significantly improved through consistent education and training by the owner. Nevertheless, giving up a pet without making even a minimal effort constitutes a betrayal of the promise to take responsibility for that life until the very end.
Another common reason is moving. There are many cases where people give up their pets when moving from a single-family home to an apartment complex or to a living environment where keeping a pet is difficult. This is ultimately closely linked to barking and elimination problems that arise from reduced living space and the shared living environment of apartment complexes.
Family illness, pregnancy, and childbirth are also frequently cited as reasons for giving up a pet. In some cases, family members suffer from pet dander allergies or determine that living with a pet is difficult for health reasons; there are also instances where people give up their pets out of concern for the baby’s health following pregnancy or childbirth.
However, various studies accumulated up to the present consistently report that—while not universally applicable to every household—it cannot be definitively concluded that living with a pet necessarily has a negative impact on a child’s health, provided that proper hygiene and health management are maintained. Of course, consultation with a healthcare professional is necessary in cases of severe allergies or specific medical conditions. Ultimately, these issues can be largely prevented by gathering sufficient information and considering the health status of family members before adopting a pet.
Finally, there are cases where people give up on pet ownership due to financial burdens. Raising a pet involves significant costs. In addition to food and vaccinations, veterinary fees and treatment costs in the event of illness can also be a burden. Although pet insurance coverage has been gradually expanding recently, it does not yet cover all expenses, so the financial burden on pet owners remains considerable. Therefore, before adopting a pet, one must thoroughly consider whether they have the financial means to take on this long-term responsibility.
