Sandra discusses the findings from a study which recorded the reasons for relinquishment of dogs and cats in the municipalities of Sintra and Cascais, both districts in Lisbon.

1. When Love Breaks Down
Reasons for Pet Relinquishment
in Portugal
Sandra Duarte Cardoso

2. Think about these numbers
More than 10 million dogs and cats are abandoned in Portugal…
… per year!
This is equivalent to the entire Portuguese population.

3. The abandoned pets are recollected
by official municipality shelters and
the only solution is euthanasia!
Its an important problem of public
health and animal well being.
The majority of stray animals
have already had an owner and
a home.
A huge problem!

4. A huge problem!
The abandoned pets are recollected by official
municipality shelters and the only solution is
euthanasia!
Its an important problem of public health and animal
well being.
The majority of stray animals have already had an
owner and a home.

5. Why do people abandon their pets?
Who are the people who abandon
their pets?

6. Several studies in some countries
Salema
(Portugal)
Divorce Hunters Expensive diseasesHolydays
Scarlett et al
(dogs)
Personal problems AllergiesLack of time
Why do people abandon?

7. Development of a comprehensive
study for Portugal
Questionnaire
Available between July 2012 and January 2013 (7 months)
In the regional official municipality shelter and in two animal protection
associations’ shelters in Sintra and Cascais
67 valid questionnaires received
Included the characterization of the participant (age, income level, composition
of the household, among others), as well as the relinquished animal (specie,
gender, reproductive status, breed, among others) and the main reasons to
relinquish

8. WHO relinquishes an animal?
Women
25-40 years old
non-owner
The majority of animals were relinquished by non-owners
21 (in 34 owners who have relinquished their animal) said, in the
same day, that they were willing to have other animal in the future
Most lower incomeOwners who
relinquishes want to
have a pet in the future

9. Relinquished animals
More dogs than cats were
relinquished
54 in 67 relinquished animals were
intact

10. What are the reasons to relinquish?
Emigration
Financial problems
Excess animals
Animal diseases
Allergies

11. Solutions?
Further studies are required to
assess this social problem
Common European legislation for
companion animal’s welfare and
protection
Share of experiences on several
fields: lawyers, politicians,
veterinarian specialists in behavior
and welfare and Non-
Governmental Organizations
working together to achieve the
desired goal