El Ciudadano
Original article: Día Mundial del Perro: El animal que más se ama es también el que más se abandona
Every July 21, World Dog Day is commemorated, a date established in 2004 following an alert from the World Health Organization indicating that 70% of dogs worldwide lack a home.
This date should not merely be viewed as a tribute; it serves as a call to acknowledge a contradiction that Latin America has yet to resolve.
Dogs have shared their lives with humans for over 15,000 years, affectionately regarded as ‘man’s best friend.’ Yet, they are also among the most affected groups by systematic abandonment, abuse, and the lack of public policies that ensure their welfare.
Latin America harbors one of the largest populations of street dogs globally, with no significant improvement in the numbers over the past decades.
Abandonment: A Systematic Issue
The issue of abandonment should not be viewed simply as a series of irresponsible individual decisions. It is fundamentally the result of a system that has normalized animal buying, indiscriminate breeding, and discarding for decades.
The breeding and pet shop industry profits from the demand for animals, while shelters across the region are overwhelmed. Communities with fewer resources struggle with limited access to sterilization and veterinary care. Abandonment does not hit all areas equally; it concentrates in regions with less state presence and deeper inequalities.
Behind every abandoned dog lies a human decision, influenced by structural conditions that a date on the calendar cannot change, but can help highlight.
«We call the animal that we abandon the most our ‘best friend.’ This paradox speaks volumes about our relationship with animals. At Animal Interseccional, we believe that genuine affection translates into concrete actions: adopting instead of buying, sterilizing, not abandoning, and advocating for policies that protect animals year-round. The impact of these everyday decisions is real, cumulative, and transformative,» stated Jesica Bon Denis, founder and executive director of Animal Interseccional.
The Impact of Everyday Decisions
This date is not only to celebrate the dogs that have homes but to bring visibility to the millions without one. Adopting instead of buying, sterilizing, not abandoning, and pushing for a ban on the sale of animals in breeders and pet shops are decisions that collectively determine whether we will continue discussing the same problem or its solution next year.
The well-being of companion animals is not an isolated individual responsibility; it is a collective endeavor.
La entrada World Dog Day: A Celebration of Love for Our Canine Companions Amidst a Growing Abandonment Crisis se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.
🔥 Ver noticia completa en ElCiudadano.cl 🔥
