Street animals and scientists

[Catherine]

This is an interesting and complex article. I think it deals with a number of issues, but the primary one is the interaction between street animals and scientists who are doing field work in various countries.


https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-01018-0

There seems to be no plan or order to the interactions. Some scientists adopt the animals and bring them home. Some find them homes. Others just feed the animals for a while.
There is no doubt there is a positive interaction. Some of the stories are beautiful. They are stories of people falling in love with a dog in need and rescuing it.

Ultimately it brings up the question of what to do about street dogs and cats. Right now there is no global plan. Most countries have no plan. The numbers of street animals just keeps climbing. It is hit or miss whether a dog will find a home with a scientist, a tourist or just end up on the streets for the rest of its life. 

Just a thought, since scientists are visiting many places that have street animals and the scientists seem to care, could they possibly organize something that would have lasting impact. Something needs to be done about the increasing numbers of street animals. Groups that regularly visits sites with animals could find ways to help. Maybe at the next big conference that involves field workers some time could be given to the street animal issue and possible solutions. Someone has to do something and local governments don't have the will or the ability to fix the problem humanely.