Pet ownership trends and abandonment issues reported in Venezuela and Spain

In El Tigre, Venezuela, the Vida Peluda animal welfare organization has reported an increase in abandoned dogs and cats near the Municipal Market. Osymel Urrieta, the organization's founder, noted that many abandoned animals are pregnant cats, which contributes to rising local populations. The organization faces challenges in finding adopters for cats compared to dogs and has highlighted instances of animal neglect and maltreatment.

In Spain, data from the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and 2030 Agenda shows that pet ownership has risen by 14% since 2021, with over 15 million companion animals currently in the country. This trend coincides with a declining birth rate of approximately 1.11 children per woman. Commenting on this shift, Sor Verónica, a Clarissa nun, expressed concern over the cultural trend of prioritizing pets over human children, suggesting that the ease of caring for animals compared to the complexities of raising children is altering social values.