You're moving! Have you forgotten about me?

MONTREAL, June 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Once again this year, the Ville de Montréal and the Société québécoise pour la défense des animaux (SQDA) supported by the Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Quebec (CAACQ) are calling on citizens to be responsible and show a sense of civic duty in order to curtail the abandonment of household pets that occurs during the moving period.

"There are many reasons why pets are abandoned. But, without a doubt, the greatest number of pets are abandoned during the moving period," said Mrs. Patricia Tulasne, spokesperson for the SQDA. "In July, it is not uncommon to find cats or dogs in empty apartments, on the streets or even in parks. Sadly, Montréal is one of the cities in North America with the highest number of stray cats."

For his part, Mr. Alan DeSousa, Vice-Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal and the Mayor of the Borough of Saint-Laurent, stressed that citizens are responsible for finding a new home for their pets if they want or need to part with them. "Tell your friends and family. Place a classified ad, if necessary. Your pet won't be able to find a new home without your help. Above all, do not simply abandon them in the street or in a park, hoping that a Good Samaritan will take care of them. This is unconscionable and cruel, because, in most cases, they die of starvation or disease or they are simply run over."

As for taking pets to the pound, the SQDA notes that a significant proportion of the animals that are received are euthanized in the days following their arrival because of the difficulty in finding them welcoming homes. People should also avoid adopting pets during the summer vacation period if they have no intention of keeping them afterwards. We also lament the fact that many pets are abandoned at the end of the month of August.

"The Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Québec supports the SQDA and the Ville de Montréal in their public awareness campaign designed to sensitize pet owners to be responsible and take the necessary measures to find a new home for their animals. Very often these animals were impulse purchases and unfortunately they are the ones that suffer," said Ms. Johanne Tassé, spokesperson for CAACQ.

In Québec, 45 % of households own a pet. Statistics show that they tend to keep the pet for an average of two years. As a result, thousands of cats and dogs are abandoned each year, most notably during the moving period.

Please remember that if you have a companion animal, do have him or her spayed or neutered. Sterilization is the best way to help to control the population of unwanted companion animals. The spaying and/or neutering of the animal may also contribute to its health.

For further information: Darren Becker, [phone]; Patricia Tulasne, Société québécoise pour la défense des animaux, [phone]; Helen Lacroix, Animatch, [phone]