
If I declared myself to be that I would have an endless stream of visitors at my suburban door just like the RSPCA knows all too well.
It is so sad to see pets dumped (or accidentally lost due to their great break-out skills). They are usually let free in a semi-public space such as on school grounds hoping that the school might have pity and a little extra room or have parents ready to gush with excitement over having a new free pet or two, or three, or more. But that is not the case.
Dumping can be accurately identified by the fact that when animals or chickens roam they leave a manure trail or scratch path (especially under a fence). When there is an absence around the a property that they were dumped onto, you can bet it was a dumping. Inspecting all fence lines is essential. Check backyards and neighbouring properties that boarder the area for signs of pet housing or potential break-outs. Dumping is usually well chosen and done in the late afternoon/evening.
Animals of any type, and most especially poultry can bring in diseases to existing flocks.
When a pet rescue happens, the animals are not always adequately housed immediately which means a very high chance of cross-contamination. Ultimately, pet dumping could result in a caring pet owner with their own animals becoming sick.
People would rather see the pets reunited with their owners than be claimed as a 'new free pet' that no-one was banking on. Dumped pets can often have underlying medical conditions that the owner/s may or may not have been aware of which means heartbreak for any new adoptive family.
Pet dumping in South Australia is illegal and a prosecutable offence.
If your pets are not reclaimed they can be destroyed.
To the dear owners who feel the need to dump their unwanted pets . . .
Do you really want that to happen?
It is very unlikely that you want them to die or you would not dump them in the first place.
There are options for getting rid of your unwanted pets, but in most cases it will not a pleasant one.
It is their manure that contains the most dangers of bring disease or infection into another backyard. So when buying or selling animals or birds, please ensure that they are vaccinated, wormed and being brought into clean housing.
So I implore you as a pet owner, please make a wise decision about pet ownership.
Do not enter into it lightly and have your plans ready about what you will do when you can no longer look after them...BEFORE YOU BUY.