What animal services do and why that is important
Introduction: Why Animal Services Matter
Animals are rife in our lives. We
have them as pets, and they live in our neighborhoods and the buildings we call
home. But not all animal lives are easy — some are ignored, abandoned or
abused. Others deal with illness or there are just too many of them for one
community to handle. That’s where animal services step in.
These
EGOs do far more than most people realize. They rescue strays, investigate
abuse, assist people in becoming better pet owners, and ensure that everyone –
human or animal – remains safe. They are right at the intersection of caring
for, the health of, and community responsibility for. So,
what exactly do animal services do? In this article, you’ll get a
straightforward look at how they work, the kinds of help they offer, why they
matter so much, and easy ways you can pitch in.
So what are animal services, anyway?
In essence they are either
government run or not for-profit organization that is responsible for the
welfare of animals, provides animal control services and ensures safety of
people in relation to animals. You can spot them in cities and towns, and even
countries.
Animal services do a lot: They
defend animals against abuse and neglect, they catch and care for strays and
abandoned animals, they assist with adoptions, and they educate the public on
being responsible pet owners. Plus, they enforce laws that deal with animals.
Types of Animal Services
Animal services cover a wide range of functions. And each service has a unique role in keeping placed-based animals and communities safe.
1. When there are animal-related issues—strays on the streets, aggressive
pets terrorizing an area, allegations of neglect, or wild animals showing up in
places they shouldn’t—animal control officers are the ones who respond. They
make people safe, prevent disease transmission and help neighborhoods remain
calm.
2. Animal Shelters and Rescue Organizations
Shelters
have a wide variety of animals to include strays, abandoned, surrendered or
those that have been rescued from hoarding. The objective isn’t only to provide
them with a roof over their heads and food. We are not aiming just to put them
under a roof and feed them. Most shelters partner with rescues and foster homes,
working to give each animal an actual chance at adoption and a brighter future.
3.
Veterinary and Medical Services
Animal
control agencies often call on veterinarians or partner with clinics. They
provide vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, emergency treatment and disease
prevention. All this is helping pets to be healthier – and people. (Source:
American Veterinary Medical Association, https://www.avma.org)
4. Adoption and Rehoming Services
Adoption
is more than just a way to find homes for animals. They pair pets with families
that are a good match, prevent shelters from becoming overwhelmed and
inspire people to be good pet owners. Every adoption is a difference-maker, a
life saved and a stronger community built.
5. Wildlife Animal Services
The wildlife
service keeps an eye on animals who can’t speak for their needs such as injured
or orphaned animals, creatures trapped in precarious situations, or that are at
odds with people. They also focus on habitat conservation and educate
people about how to coexist with wildlife. The focus is on ensuring the safety
of the wildlife without compromising people’s. (Source: World Wildlife Fund,
https://www.worldwildlife.org)
Why Animal Services Matter
1. Safeguarding Animal Welfare
Animal
services intervene when animals are trapped in unfortunate circumstances—neglect,
abuse, or just plain harmful environments. Without these creatures, countless
other animals would be left to survive on their own. Far too many animals would be abandoned to
their fate without them. A lot wouldn’t make it.
2. Keeping People and Pets Safe
Animal
services do a lot more than rescue pets. They prevent the spread of rabies and
other zoonotic diseases. They take care of strays so you don’t have to worry
about running into one on the street. And by controlling the population, they
maintain healthier neighborhoods for all.
3. Teaching People to Be Better Pet Owners
Education’s
a big part of what animal services do. They run programs on how to look after
your pets, why vaccines matter, and the benefits of spaying and neutering. They
also remind folks about the legal stuff—like what you’re actually responsible
for as a pet owner.
4. Tackling Overpopulation
Spay and
neuter programs have a big impact. Less work for shelters and fewer animals
euthanized, because of fewer unwanted litters. It’s a giant leap in the right
direction to end the overpopulation problem.
How Animal
Services Stay Running
Animal services continue to
operate through a combination of government funding, licensing fees, donations,
grants, and, frankly, a great deal of help from volunteers. The entire community
must continue to contribute toward sustaining these services.
The Real Struggles in Animal Services
Animal services do a lot of good, but they run into some tough problems.
First off, there’s just not
enough to go around—money, staff, or space. Shelters get packed, and people
work long hours because there aren’t enough hands to help.
Then there’s the issue of how
people see these services. Many people believe animal services are solely
focused on punishment, rather than assistance to animals. That misperception
makes it more difficult for employees to do their jobs and for members of the
public to engage with them.
And we are not going to turn a
blind eye to the increasing number of stray animals. When the going gets tough
— financial strain, housing issues, or just realizing what it truly takes to
care for a pet — more animals lose their homes.
Why Volunteers Matter
Volunteers are what make animal
services work. They feed and care for the animals, help out at adoption events,
assist with paperwork and talk to the public about the importance of these
services. I mean, animal services would not even come close to the numbers of
people and animals they do without volunteers, hands down.
How Tech Is Changing the Game
Technology is transforming the
game. Now shelters have an easier way to track lost pets, keep adoption records
current and use social media to get out the word and educate the public. When
disaster strikes, all can work more quickly and efficiently with digital
support. In short, tech makes everything a bit clearer and a lot more
efficient.
How to Support Animal Services
You don’t have to make a huge effort to benefit animal services — small
things actually make a big difference. Jump in and help animals in your
community with these easy ways:
Please choose adoption for your next pet rather than purchasing one from
a breeder or pet store.
-Spay and neuter your pets.
Volunteer at a local shelter. They need volunteers, always.
Give supplies, cash, or even just a sack of food — it all helps.
Speak out and report it if you witness animal abuse.
To be honest, even minuscule acts add up and have an impact.
Looking for more ways to help? Visit the ASPCA’s guide on assisting animals:
https://www.aspca.org
The Future of Animal Services
So what happens next? Animal services are progressing on several fronts
after a few major things: - Teaching communities about animal care.
- Stable funding to keep everything running.
- Groups and organizations working together.
With the involvement and education of more individuals in the area of
animal welfare the system continues to improve on the whole—more humane and
more efficient.
Why Animal Services Matter
When animals require assistance, wildlife authorities are there to help.
But they also care for people, with education, safety and a whole lot of
compassion. They bridge our world and the animal world to make life better
for everyone.
Supporting animal services is not only the humane thing to do for
animals—it’s the wise thing to do for our communities, and the smart thing to
do for our future.
FAQs
1. What do animal services actually do?
They watch
for animals, capture strays, enforce animal laws and assist in keeping the
peace.
2. Is it the same for animal services and animal shelters?
Not quite.
Animal shelters are only one part of the equation. Animal services also take
care of law enforcement, educating the public and, on occasion, wildlife.
3. Do animal services help wildlife?
Absolutely .
Many animal services teams collaborate with wildlife rescue and conservation
organizations.
4. What is the source of funding for animal services?
They make
money by charging for services, getting government funding, and donations, and
a lot of help from volunteers.
5. What can a beginner do to help animal services?