Many people, impressed by their love for animals but unaware of their traditions and true needs, feeding pigeons, cats and other stray species, believing that in this way they contribute to their well-being. Still, experts warn that this form of behavior is not always positive and can cause public health problems for both humans and animals themselves.
Feed the animals to get started supports uncontrolled reproduction and facilitates the reproduction of pests, the consequent health consequences. Suffice it to say that cockroaches and rats are attracted to rubbish thrown on the ground. In addition, these residues cause an increase in dirt and bad odors on the roads open to traffic.
An article published in the consumer magazine warns that feeding animals also changes the relationship between different species living in the city. For example, in the case of ponds (when you want to feed fish, ducks and other waterfowl) these foods contaminate the water and can make it uninhabitable for other species..
It should be noted that in many places, municipal ordinances directly prohibit throwing food at cats, pigeons, ducks, fish and other urban animals, resulting in economic sanctions.
And while we might think that without our food additives these animals would starve, that is simply not true. All experts remember this. most do not need food supply by peoplebecause they can earn their living.
According to NGOs, veterinarians and other experts this is the right way to act in any situation:
ducks and fish
Ducks and fish in ponds in parks and gardens should never be fed, as they do not need bread crusts to feed and a wide variety of garbage products thrown on them: from chips and hooks to donuts and treats. Such products they not only benefit them, but even cause serious harm to their health.
Even seemingly harmless bread is not suitable for throwing into water, because crumbs and various food residues cause the well-known effect of overgrowth of algae, insect growth, mold growth and bacterial growth. This makes these waters uninhabitable for other species, and even for those that are already inside and that we want to help.
pigeons
It’s pointless to flood parks, sidewalks, squares and other places where pigeons are littered with bits of bread. these birds they are completely self-sufficient in foraging both in cold and hot conditions, because they are omnivorous (urbanites at least) and don’t hesitate to eat anything they find.
The only thing that can be achieved by throwing bait on the ground is that the colonies of pigeons increase and as a result these are problems that are known to everyone and that are very difficult for municipalities to solve.
It should also be noted that pigeons are carriers of parasites such as ticks, lice, scabies and others, and can transmit diseases such as histoplasmosis, salmonellosis, colibacillosis or avian chlamydia.
cats
Stray cats were born free on the street anyway, so they are not abandoned animals in general. They are accustomed to living in urban environments. and according to veterinarians, they are not even recommended for adoptions they have not finished accustoming to.
The rearing of city cats is often outright prohibited by the municipalities responsible for these colonies, sometimes even by legally established systems, with volunteers tasked with overseeing the welfare of the animals in question.
In any case, to feed in an uncontrolled manner, regardless of scientific criteria, poor health, causes an increase in the appearance of mice, cockroaches and bad smells.
dogs
It is estimated that more than 800,000 dogs live on the street in Spain. Unlike cats, they are usually abandoned by their owners. In that case, it’s always best to find them a new home and If we are not going to take care of the animal, we should contact the City Council or a protective agency. animals in our neighborhood.
In the meantime, you should feed them veterinarian-recommended formulas, usually compound feed, that are healthier than the remnants of our own food.
Wild animals
If it is not advisable to feed stray animals, it is much less advisable to do so with wild animals that by nature know exactly where, what and when to eat. Feeding them by humans will only disrupt their natural functioning and change their habits.
Reference article: https://www.consumer.es/medio-ambiente/problemas-alimentar-animales-callejeros-silvestres.html
Source: Informacion
