China's Homeless Pets are Innocent Victims of Economic Slump

Along with their owners, a large number of pets these days are finding themselves on the streets - as homeless, hungry, innocent victims of the economic slump.

The global crisis has hit China's pets as hard as anyone.

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Dog owners are more likely to spread germs to their pets by not washing hands than by sleeping with them, or getting licks on the face, according to a new study.

In the south Chinese city of Guangzhou, the Private Pets Home and the Home for Stray Animals are "overcrowded" with pets abandoned by their owners, the China Daily reported Wednesday.

The Guangzhou Pets Association has seen a 20-percent rise from last year in the number of people seeking new owners for their four-legged loved ones, according to the paper.

"I had to give eight dogs to friends last year," said Wu Yongxian, a Guangzhou animal lover, who is now down to just three canines.

Making Your Pets To Chase and Catch Sticks Can Cause Them Injuries
The next time you ask your pet pooch to fetch a stick, try to remember this stark warning: dogs suffer as many injuries chasing and catching sticks as they do on roads.

"I don't buy dog food now but just feed them my leftovers instead," a sobbing Wu told the paper.

Meanwhile, the price of new pets has plummeted as economic constraints force Chinese families to cut back on luxury items.

Dog Owners' Aggression is Transmittable to Their Pets: Study
Dogs owned by people who use confrontational or aversive methods to train their violent pets will continue to remain aggressive, unless training techniques are modified,

Until recently, a dog would cost up to 8,000 yuan (1,170 dollars), but could now be bought for 3,000 yuan, the paper said.

Pet ownership has exploded in China in recent years as rising middle class incomes have allowed people to afford more than mere necessities.

Domestic Pets Pose Major Health Risk to Children
Exotic pets such lizards and more common animals like hamsters and hedgehogs pose a health risk to children and the elderly, a new study found Monday.

Strict population policies limiting couples in cities to just one child have also made it more attractive to keep pets.

Source-AFP
TAN/L