Pet abandonment has become prevalent. After Hurricane Milton, more than 100 pets have been found abandoned in Polk County, Florida. In Ukraine, researchers estimate that over 100,000 pets have been abandoned since the beginning of the war. These cases underscore the significance of raising awareness for animals facing abandonment due to unforeseen humanitarian crises. 

After being abandoned, most pets cannot survive on their own. The Partnership for Animals Needing Transition organization has stated that due to domestication, pets lack the instincts to hunt and fend for themselves. Thus, after being abandoned, they will frantically search for their owners, looking in the areas they saw them last. They are unable to gather an adequate food supply, leading to malnourishment and tolling their physical strength, eventually resulting in death. 

Paws of Promise is a student-led project raising awareness about the heartbreaking and overlooked issue of pet abandonment during humanitarian crises. This project advocates for animals left behind in disasters and amplifies the voices supporting animal welfare and rescue. Through various events, including interactive community seminars and fundraisers, Paws of Promise hopes to support this deserving cause.

While pet abandonment is a serious issue that certainly will not be solved overnight, there are steps we can take to help put an end to this devastating issue. Listed below are a few ways you can help today: 

1. Adopt a rescue: Through rescue adoption, you can provide a deserving pet with a comfortable home and free up space in shelters for other needy animals. Additionally, rescues have been found to offer unparalleled companionship and unconditional love to their owners after adjusting to their new homes.
2. Donate: You can donate to organizations that support abandoned animals after crises, such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). For the past 3 years, the IFAW has aided pets in Ukraine by distributing supplies, treating pets properly, and reuniting pets with their owners. Through these efforts, they have saved nearly 200,000 animals in need. Below is a link to a fundraiser that donates all proceeds to the International Fund for Animal Welfare: https://gofund.me/15d47956.
3. Spread awareness: One of the biggest problems is society’s unawareness of pet abandonment. If you cannot adopt or donate, educating your friends and family about the prevalence and urgency of this issue can make a huge impact. So, please spread the word about this issue and tell your friends and family to donate!

Works Cited

“Animal Rescue Facts.” Louisiana SPCA, www.louisianaspca.org/about-us/hurricane-katrina/animal-rescue-facts/#/.

Harayda, Janice. “The Tragedy of Ukraine’s Abandoned Pets – Lit Life – Medium.” Medium, Lit Life, 16 Apr. 2024, medium.com/lit-life/the-tragedy-of-ukraines-abandoned-pets-b3231370c96c. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Mann, Andrew. “Giving a Second Chance: The Importance of Adopting from an Animal Shelter.” Vetmed.vt.edu, 9 Oct. 2023, vetmed.vt.edu/news/2023/adopting-from-animal-shelters.html.

“Relocating & Abandoning Cats.” Partnership for Animals Needing Transition, www.pant.org/relocating-abandoning-cats.