Dr. Leen Alhoussan has many passions – many of those dedicated to her field of research, on an ongoing mission for knowledge to advance various avenues of treatment and medical procedures for individuals with diabetes, cancer, and more. However, Leen Al-Houssan has another initiative she’s very active in that requires an equal amount of care and compassion but caters to a completely different demographic – and species altogether.
In today’s world, when charity work is the topic of conversation, it’s easy for the subject to gravitate toward homeless individuals or children who need quality homes for adoption. While these are all very worthwhile areas of philanthropy, one group in dire need is almost constantly forgotten. Injured and abandoned pets often go without safe, comfortable homes, and too few people willingly contribute a helping hand to this cause.
Abandoned Animals – By the Numbers
The sad state of abandoned animals is apparent in the following numbers. Keep in mind that these statistics only include pets and domesticated animals, not even injured animals in the wild, which is a much harder demographic to track.
- 60% of adopted pets are no longer in their adopted homes six months after adoption, and only 20% are returned. This leaves 40% unaccounted for, assumed lost, or deceased.
- Homeless animals outnumber homeless people 5 to 1.
- Only 10% of lost or abandoned dogs will find a permanent, loving home.
- 74.1% of lost and injured pets could be reunited with their owners or receive treatment if they displayed proper identification or received a chip.
A Worthwhile Cause
While Dr. Leen Alhoussan is one of the few contributors to this worthy cause, this barely puts a dent in the totals needed to make a real difference. Leen Al-Houssan takes a hands-on approach, often attempting to shelter and heal these animals on her own in a valiant effort to save a life, demonstrating that her knack for compassionate care stretches across multiple disciplines.
Understandably, not everyone can take this same approach. However, it only takes a few minutes to contact an animal control officer or Google an animal rescue in your area if you encounter any abandoned or injured animals. Sparing these few minutes out of your day could mean years for one of these helpless animals and giving them a chance they wouldn’t receive otherwise.