Not infrequently, animal lovers' enjoyment of summer, sun, sea and sweet idleness is marred by the sight of emaciated street animals.
Also the sad eyes of the animal attractions presented for the amusement of tourists touch many a heart and tempt to rash "rescue actions".
Everyone can contribute something to the fact that the animal suffering which can be overlooked in many places does not increase still further, in which he keeps to simple rules:
1. do not buy animals on markets or in Petshops! With every purchase, you encourage the brutal business with young/wild animals and thus promote unspeakable animal suffering.
2. do not take part in photo sessions with wild animals! These living photo subjects have often been deprived of their freedom and snatched from their parents far too early. They serve their owners only to generate income and are usually kept under catastrophic conditions.
3. do not ride on animals if they are badly treated or kept! Be critical and refrain if you have doubts that the animals are kept well. Check the riding equipment and the general condition of the mounts. If you do not like the way the owners treat their animals, let them know! (This also applies to carriage rides!)
4. do not feed street animals if they are not castrated! Feeding encourages the proliferation of road animals and thus increases animal suffering at this destination. Constantly growing populations are often killed with cruel methods after the vacation season. Castrated animals can be recognized by an ear tag (dogs) or the absence of the left ear tip (cats).
5. do not take animals home spontaneously! It is extremely important that all requirements for the legal import of an animal are met. If there are no stamps in the vaccination certificate, the animal may even be put to sleep when crossing the border! The indispensable rabies vaccination is only valid from 21 days after the injection!
You can find these and other valuable tips in the free brochure "Tierliebe am Ferienort", which you can order here (German only): www.susyutzinger.ch/shop