Pets die as owners downsize

Thousands of cats and dogs are killed in Queensland pounds and shelters each year as distraught pet owners move into retirement communities and rental units.

New research is uncovering tragic stories in these gated communities and points to a future where pet ownership will seriously decline.

The research found some older owners forced to downsize and leave their suburban homes were hiding their pets at their new unit rather than have them put down at pounds.

The findings point to as many as 200,000 cats and dogs being dumped each year at pounds Australia-wide.

Some of Australia's leading vets and town planners will debate possible solutions to the crisis when they meet at the first National Summit to End Pet Overpopulation on the Gold Coast next month.

Animal Welfare League of Queensland strategic development officer Joy Verrinder predicts the problem of abandoned animals will worsen due to an ageing population and restricted pet ownership at retirement homes.

After researching recent statistics for the Gold Coast, which is Queensland's rental capital, Ms Verrinder identified 25 per cent of 236 cats and 70 dogs were surrendered to the Coombabah pound in January alone because their owners had moved into rental accommodation.

"This would be happening to thousands of these pets across Queensland each year," Ms Verrinder said.

Coast cat owner and AWL education officer Zoe Hermans urged other pet owners to persevere after spending six weeks herself looking for a suitable rental property.

"In the end we had to go through a private rental. I think a lot of people give up very easily, especially when you don't have a lot of time to find a rental property," Ms Hermans said.

"They bring their animal to the shelter. It can be pretty distressing, especially for older people."

Bond University researcher Anne Richmond uncovered some tragic stories during a survey of retirement villages in southeast Queensland.

"I found people who were hiding them. I had no idea of the tragedies in some of these homes. I had so many people crying and crying," Ms Richmond said.

"In some villages they (managers) would put down an animal because a person was going into a nursing home, yet the people next door had been looking after this pet."

Reference: www.thesundaymail.news.com.au

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