Imagine this: a dog and a cat, sitting in a boiling hot New York apartment, thirsty and in desperate need of a walk. They can’t control their lives, and not to sound like a Disney villain, but their lives are literally in the palm of your hand. Just to drive this point home, 250,000 dogs and other pets a year are victims to animal hoarding (when someone has too many pets to reasonably take care of), and another TEN MILLION ANIMALS DIE of abuse a year in the U.S alone. If you don’t walk with or play with your pets, they will be bored to death and have no outlet to spend their energy, and that destructive behavior is just a sign they’re in dire need of a walk.
Meanwhile, 1000 miles south of that cramped NY apartment, Hurricane Helene, a category 4 hurricane that hit Florida in late September of 2024, had just wiped out entire cities, and brave rescuers risked their lives to save the dogs whose homes had been destroyed and lives smashed by nature’s destructive might.
But let’s be real. The average American isn’t a pet abuser or a first responder, saving lives in the aftermath of a disaster, but they can do a few things. For one, walking your pet, while it may seem like a big chore, is absolutely necessary for your dog’s well being and happiness. You may think they can hold it in, but not taking walks is detrimental to your furry friend’s health, and if you’re putting it off, just put yourself in their shoes––not being allowed to use the restroom because some person said you couldn’t. Walking your dog can also help their weight, joint health, digestive health, and urinary health, helping them live a longer, happier life. Taking your dog out on walks can also lower your cortisol (stress) levels and your blood pressure, as well as making you feel more socially connected in general and making you happier, so by walking your dog you’re not only helping your pet, but also yourself! Having a healthy pet is extremely important and, just like a person, if they don’t get enough exercise in, they will face severe physical and mental consequences, such as obesity, anxiety and destructive behaviors.
But how do new pet owners know what to do? Well, research is extremely important, but some general pointers for pet care are to walk your dog twice a day for around 15 minutes (taking into account their age, breed, and personality) to help them lead an active and healthy life. Feeding your pet nutritional food with a stamp from The Association of American Feed Control Officials is another important responsibility you have as their owner and guardian. Feeding them unhealthy food is akin to eating McDonald’s for every meal, which obviously would be detrimental to their health. For cats, keep a litter pan that’s 1.5x the length of their body, so they have plenty of space and feel comfortable. These tips are broadly applicable, but make sure to consult your veterinarian about YOUR pets needs.
Now that we have some background info on how and why to take care of YOUR pet, it’s time to ask how to get others to do the same. To me, the answer is one word: Legislature. We need to make laws banning just anyone from owning a pet. In fact, there should be a mandatory test on how to take care of your pet, in which future pet owners are asked to answer questions about the pet they plan on adopting, have a moral assessment (decided by a board elected by residents of the county the owner’s primary residence is in), and have a practical test. There should also be an assessment of the owner’s income, to make sure that they can afford a pet, as well as financial aid for those who can’t afford one. These steps will make sure no dog or cat will be left with an abusive or neglectful owner. Giving financial aid to would-be pet owners is also extremely important to allow all people, regardless of financial status, to get the pet they deserve.
Is it OK to let an animal suffer in silence over someone’s laziness? Is it proper to let a dog eat food that is nutritional garbage because someone out there is cheap? I don’t think so. That is why legislature not only to punish but to PREVENT pet abuse is so important. On a related note, the United States leads in gun violence around the world, primarily because it’s very easy to get a gun, even if you’re not qualified, allowing irresponsible people to take advantage of the loose restrictions surrounding firearms. Therefore, it is logical to assume that the same logic applies to pet abuse throughout the states. After all, states with high gun control have lower shooting rates, so it’s clear that states with stricter pet laws would most likely have less pet abuse. Our politicians NEED to pass laws outlining WHO should be able to own a pet as well as passing stricter laws on HOW pet-abusers should be dealt with, not only punishing them but preventing them. Most importantly, YOU have a voice, YOU can email YOUR congressman (or woman) to try to push laws protecting YOUR PETS from those who have no respect for their safety and comfort
Ezra Kupferberg is a 12-year-old boy who lives in NYC and loves food, pets, and a good book.
