Facts about homeless animals

Answer 1

One fact about homeless animals is that many are killed each year because shelters are over crowded. Other facts include the fact that homeless animals who are not picked up by animal control become feral. Many homeless animals are given up by their owners, while others escaped from their home or yard.

Answer 2

Abandoned animals can become feral, where they are relying more on their wild instincts for survival than they did when they were living with humans. This can make them more fearful and aggressive (where the aggression stems from being so scared) if/when a human tries to catch them to take them to a more safer place. Such animals also have a lower chance of survival because of the constant threat of starving or dehydrating to death. Abandoned animals can be found anywhere: in the streets, in a vacant house or other building, or even wandering around in the country. Abandoned kittens or puppies can be found in the trash, in a sewer drain, by the side of a road, etc.

Because these kind of animals have learned to depend on their humans for food, shelter, water, and comfort. When they are suddenly vacated or dropped off somewhere, their rate of survival decreases dramatically if they don't get rescued because they don't know how to get their own food. Young dogs are especially prone to this, as well as young cats that have been living inside all their lives. It's certainly a cruel way to die.

Though an animal can be aggressive when rescued, mostly it's because it's still relying on its instincts to survive and doesn't quite understand that no harm is coming to it. Most aggressions stem from food, fear, or territorial.

If you find an abandoned animal or an abandoned animal finds you, please call your local animal rescue, humane society or SPCA immediately.