ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AS A TOOL FOR DIAGNOSING THE OVERPOPULATION OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS AT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN TERESINA, PIAUÍ

Abstract

This article aimed to assess the overpopulation of abandoned domestic animals at the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI) and the State University of Piauí (UESPI) in Teresina, Piauí. The study highlights the environmental, sanitary, and ethical impacts resulting from the abandonment of dogs and cats, such as predation on wildlife, the spread of zoonoses, and compromised animal welfare. The methodology involved a literature review and primary data collection, utilizing photographic records and descriptive analyses to characterize the animals' condition. The results demonstrate that animal abandonment contributes to the growth of animal populations on university campuses and that these animals face challenges such as a lack of sufficient food, shelter, and access to neutering programs. The study concludes that animal abandonment at universities creates negative effects that must be addressed through Environmental Management strategies designed to control dog and cat populations and mitigate negative impacts via measures such as planning, neutering, vaccination, and environmental education.