Estonian Animal Welfare Society: Increasing Numbers of Pet Owners Unable to Cope

According to Geit Karurahu, a board member of the Estonian Animal Welfare Society, pet abandonment has become an increasingly serious problem. The causes include both financial hardship and behavioral problems in animals. The charity event Paw Walk raises funds to assist animals in need.

Geit Karurahu, a board member of the Estonian Animal Welfare Society, told ERR's programme "Terevisioon" that increasing numbers of pet owners are struggling to cope with their animals. According to Karurahu, there are two types of problems: on one hand, financial hardship that makes pet ownership unaffordable, and on the other hand, behavioral problems in animals that owners are unable to manage themselves.

To ease this situation, the Estonian Animal Welfare Society is organizing a charity Paw Walk event, the purpose of which is to raise funds to assist animals in distress. The collected funds go towards treatment of these animals, support for animal shelters, and other assistance that animals in need require.

Karurahu pointed out that financial pressure is one of the main reasons why people are forced to give up their pets. Pet ownership requires regular expenses for food, veterinary care, and other necessities, which in current economic conditions may prove too burdensome for many owners.

Animals with behavioral problems constitute another large proportion of abandoned animals. Often, owners lack the necessary knowledge and expertise to cope with an animal that has special needs or behaves unexpectedly. To resolve such situations, society needs both specialist guidance and financial support.