The cat-related issues
BAPF is considering various issues that affect the cat population dynamics, i.e. the average cat's lifespan in Bulgaria. Among all, some emerge as substantial Reproductive capacity In general, the owned dogs should be kept confined according to the law, while a major part of the national cat population in Bulgaria consists of free-roaming owned cats (either outdoor or indoor-outdoor). Despite proposals made by Animal Programs Foundation, Bulgarian government still rejects accepting legal cat population management nationwide (especially, by providing accessible low-cost neutering services) and the unplanned reproduction of the hundreds of thousands of owned cats presents a tremendous animal welfare problem year after year. The Supply & Demand interaction The mass demand for pups and kittens by impulsive candidates is a live ongoing thing. Until 1990 in Bulgaria there was a restrictive control over the acquisition of dogs, which restricted the breeding and prevented the population increase. Since 1990 the careless breeding and unrestricted acquisition of companion and guard dogs have become a tradition. The painstakingly proper attitude towards the animals coupled with the frivolous one towards breeding them are demonstrated in numerous ads placed all over town and media in seeking for a match, offering offspring or giving away for secondary adoption grown ones. Bulgaria has no legal policies regarding commercial pet breeding including licensing regime for dog breeding establishments. Anyone can obtain an animal with no registration required, allow the animal to breed, and sell the offspring to anyone. On the uncontrolled nationwide market are constantly offered and promptly dump for next to nothing or free an enormous number of unregistered puppies and kittens offered by the home breeders. All this leads to creation and maintenance of a hidden pet overpopulation – a true animal welfare problem that remains totally neglected by the community. |