WHY ARE FEMALE ANIMALS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?

While the perks of adopting an animal companion are pawsome-ly infinite, it’s an undeniable fact that a vast majority of potential adopters hesitate or think twice when it  comes to bringing home a female dog or cat. There are several unfounded beliefs that lead to female animals being discriminated against in India and across the world, including:

Stereotypes

A number of surveys show that there is a prevailing belief that female animals are more difficult to take care of than male pets – this harmless and false stereotype often leads to female cats, dogs and other companion animals being passed over in favour of their male counterparts. This stereotype is based on misconceptions and traditional beliefs that are prevalent in some parts of India. Here are a few examples:

Menstruation

Due to a lack of awareness, people may avoid bringing home female animals to be a part of their family due to concerns about managing their menstrual cycles, spearheaded by the belief that female pets are prone to making more of a mess due to bodily fluids, or may be more difficult to handle during their heat cycles. However, these issues can be addressed through spaying, which eliminates the possibility of heat cycles altogether.

Aggression

Another misconception is that female animals are more aggressive and territorial than males, making them more difficult to manage. However, this belief is not entirely accurate, as aggression can occur in both males and females, and it largely depends on the pet’s individual temperament and training.

Medical Concerns

There is also a belief that female pets are more prone to medical issues, such as urinary tract infections or bladder stones. However, such health concerns can affect both male and female pets, and can be prevented or managed through proper care and nutrition.

These stereotypes can lead some pet owners to avoid female pets altogether or to choose male pets over female ones. However, it’s important to note that these beliefs are not universally true, and each pet is unique in its own way, regardless of gender.

Health Concerns

Due to the possibility of reproductive health complications like pyometra, some potential homes may steer clear of female animals. Despite the fact that neutering can alleviate these issues, some pet owners may still prefer male animals. It’s important to remember that pyometra and numerous other diseases can be avoided and treated through neutering.

Cultural Beliefs

The belief that male animals are more valuable than females may be related to conventional, anthropomorphised gender roles. The perception that male dogs are better protectors is a prevalent one. Female dogs may be seen as more nurturing and gentle. Similarly, male cats may be seen as better hunters of animals considered to be pests or vermin. These deeply-ingrained cultural beliefs can greatly influence a person’s decision to take on a pet. Gender does not determine an animal’s ability to provide companionship. Both male and female animals make excellent companions, each individual being unique in their own way.

Overpopulation

In India, female animals are often blamed for overpopulation because they are capable of giving birth to many litters of offspring in their lifetime. This overpopulation can lead to a lack of resources, the spread of diseases, human-animal conflict and an increased risk of harm to the animals themselves.

In many cases, female dogs and cats roam freely and mate with unsterilised males. This can create a cycle of hardship and suffering; these animals may struggle to find food, shelter, medical aid and may be subject to abuse.

To fight this issue, a number of animal welfare organisations and government agencies promote ABC (Animal Birth Control) programs. By neutering female dogs and cats, the number of unwanted animals can be reduced.

Along these same lines, neutering male pets is also important to population control. It’s vital for pet owners and animal welfare organisations to cooperate and work together to address this issue in a compassionate and effective manner.

Do you want to lend a hand towards helping the street animals in your area lead happier lives? Earth Brigade Foundation’s animal welfare wing, Street Brigade, is here to assist you! Get in touch with us with your concerns today at director@earthbrigadefoundation.org or WhatsApp us on +91 9820228605.