Many of us are aware that life in the Australian outback or on the plains of the African Serengeti would be very different from those living in the US or Europe. Following that line of thinking, dogs also have different “lifestyles” around the world and with that, here are some interesting contrasts that may surprise you.
Including dogs as family members is a defining trend for the US pet market today. Retailers are struggling to address this cultural phenomenon as it unfolds in more and more segments of the pet industry. Dogs go on vacation with us. They snuggle with us in our beds. Is it any wonder that Fido now figures prominently in thousands of homes in the US? Yet in stark contrast to this, the United States is somewhat unique in the fact that we euthanize 2.7 million dogs and cats in shelters each year. We love our pets, yet we can’t seem to acknowledge the fact that pets are a huge responsibility and many pet owners, after just a few weeks, give up and let their dog or cat go just to be caught by an animal control. official later. Puppy kennels, overbreeding, and lack of spaying are other reasons that continually contribute to this alarming number of pets euthanized annually.
Latin America is fast becoming its neighbor to the north, with a pet sitting boom equivalent in many respects to that of the United States reaching thousands of households with “more people bringing dogs into their lives as companions, rather than safety. “. This tendency is mainly attributed to two facts; rising incomes for the middle class and a younger demographic that is putting off marriage and family for a dog. Or as they call it there, a “pupaneon”. “Chile currently has more companion dogs per person than any other country.”
Like the United States, Latin America also has its marked contrasts, there is nutrition. For many Latin Americans, they are unlikely to have access to large pet stores or even a small ma and pa store, so they have no choice but to feed their dogs table scraps. As any vet will tell you, having table scraps as your pet’s sole source of nutrition can lead to many health-related complications.
To the east, “Far East” of America we come to China. This is a country where the ethical treatment of dogs does not have a very humane record. This is mainly due to the fact that China has no animal welfare laws, which drives and explains much of the controversy surrounding this country when it comes to dogs. Fortunately, this unfortunate trend changes every day. Animal rights groups, both foreign and domestic in China, are spreading the word about humane treatment of dogs, and three-quarters of China’s population now indicate a desire to improve the protection of animal welfare.
India is by far one of the most interesting places for dogs. This is not so much about dog owners as it is about the dogs themselves. Most of the dogs in India are strays. Not just a few here and there, but millions. They coexist with people in city centers across the country. As a result, 36% of rabies deaths in the world occur in India. Fortunately, this number is declining due in large part to the existence of the Humane Society International and a program called Capture, Neuter, Vaccinate & Return (CNVR).
The people of India have a great tolerance and compassion for street puppies. Local communities, despite the fear of rabies or bites, help these dogs on a daily basis by feeding and caring for them when they can. They may not be in a home, however, they are cared for as if they were in one.
Our last stop on this world tour is Saudi Arabia. Here the Islamic culture considers dogs to be “unclean”. As a result, “Saudi citizens are often uncomfortable and fearful of animals.” But attitudes are starting to change with wealthier families having dogs at home, yet they have to be properly classified. Saudi Arabia has an interesting law related to dog ownership. All dogs have to be classified as working dogs, such as a guard dog or hunting dog, otherwise they cannot be kept as pets. “In an interesting contrast to India, there is exactly the opposite. In Saudi Arabia, cats they run free through the streets and the Saudis for the most part are very fond of them, especially since the Prophet Muhammad loved cats.
Clearly, we all live in a very diverse and complex world. Some might say how grateful they are to live where they live, while others may wish they were somewhere else. Cultural relativism, “the grass is always greener” approaches to understanding our world may work for some, but as a wise dog owner once said, “handle every stressful situation like a dog. Just pee and walk away” .
