Is The Problem Of Pet Overpopulation
Serious? Yes. It's very serious.
In the United States, thousands upon thousands of puppies
and kittens are born each day because of the uncontrolled
breeding of pets. Stray and abandoned animals add thousands
more offspring to the population. The result is a huge
number of dogs and cats for whom there are no homes. In
addition, many people obtain pets without first thinking
carefully about the decision. When the animal gets too
big, develops a behavior problem, or otherwise proves
to be an unexpected challenge, the owner too often gives
up on the animal. As a result, an estimated 4 to 6 million
dogs and cats are euthanized in America's animal shelters
each year because they are not wanted by anyone, anywhere.
Are There Other Concerns Besides Just Too Many Pets? Yes.
Too many companion animals competing for too few good
homes is the most obvious consequence of uncontrolled
breeding; however, there are other equally tragic problems
that result from pet overpopulation. The transformation
of some animal shelters into "warehouses" or cheap sources
of animals for use in biomedical experimentation, the
acceptance of cruelty to animals as a way of life in
our society, and the stress that caring shelter workers
suffer when they are forced to euthanize one animal after
another, are just a few of the consequences of our society's
carelessness.
Living creatures have become throwaway items to be cuddled
when cute and abandoned when they become inconvenient.
Such disregard for such animal life pervades and erodes
our culture. Abandoned and stray companion animals who
survive in the streets and alleys of cities and suburbs
pose a health threat to humans and to other animals. Homeless
companion animals get into trash containers; defecate
in public areas or on private lawns, and anger citizens
who have no understanding of their misery or their needs.
Some of these animals scare away or prey upon wildlife,
such as birds, or frighten small children.
The growing number of dog bites is due in part to uncontrolled
breeding of pets. Bites by so-called dangerous dogs have
drawn an enormous amount of media attention, and fatalities
caused by dangerous dogs are a serious concern. According
to Randall Lockwood, Ph.D., the HSUS's vice president
for Training Initiatives, there is a much greater incidence
of biting by unsterilized animals. Of the nearly twenty
fatalities caused by dog attacks investigated between
1992 and 1994, says Dr. Lockwood, we have found that none
was caused by a spayed or neutered dog. Also, the vicious
tendencies found in some dog breeds often can be attributed
to irresponsible breeding without regard for temperament.
Halting reproduction will benefit these breeds and protect
the human population. Each year communities are forced
to spend millions of taxpayer dollars trying to cope with
problems that pet overpopulation causes.
Is It Possible For Such A Huge Problem To Be Solved? Yes.
But only by implementing widespread sterilization programs.
Only by spaying and neutering all companion animals will
we be able to get a handle on this problem. Consider the
fact that in six short years, one female dog and her offspring
can be the source of 67,000 puppies. In seven years, one
cat and her young can produce 420,000 kittens. Given these
high reproductive rates, it stands to reason that carefully
planned and implemented sterilization programs could produce
a dramatic reduction in the number of unwanted companion
animal births in only a few years. In fact, in those towns
and cities that have implemented such programs, we've
already seen the number of companion animals who had to
be euthanized decline by 30 to 60 percent - even in those
communities whose human populations have been steadily
increasing. Successful pet-overpopulation control programs
range from subsidized sterilization clinics, to cooperative
efforts involving local veterinarians, to mass-media educational
campaigns. Only through the nationwide establishment of
such programs will we be able to bring an end to the tragedy
of pet overpopulation.
Are There Solutions I Can Pursue In My Community? Yes.
Legislation can have the most direct impact simply by
requiring that every pet adopted from a municipal or county
shelter be sterilized within a certain period of time.
Similarly, differential-licensing laws - laws that substantiate
increased license fees for pets who have not been spayed
or neutered - give owners an incentive to sterilize their
pets. Education, too, is an essential part of solving
this problem. Unless people know the facts about pet overpopulation
and sterilization, they are virtually helpless to do anything
about the problems. Reduced spay/neuter fees play an important
role in solving the problem as well. Subsidized spay/neuter
clinics in some communities, including Rochester, have
already helped bring down the cost of sterilization. In
areas where veterinarians have agreed to reduce their
spay/neuter fees, we've seen a significant decline in
the number of animals euthanized.
Can I Breed My Pet If I Find Homes For All Of The Offspring?
NO .
Remember that each time you place one of your pet's puppies
or kittens in a loving home, you take away a home from
another companion animal who is desperate for someone
to take him/her in. The sad fact is that there are already
more companion animals than homes, and each day animal
shelters are forced to destroy thousands of dogs and cats
because no one wants them. If you have a friend who wants
to get a puppy or kitten, urge that friend to adopt one
from a local animal shelter - where there is always a
wonderful selection of mixed breed and purebred dogs and
cats who are just waiting for good homes and loving owners.
If your friend has his/her heart set on a purebred pet,
mention that roughly 1 out of every 4 animals in shelters
nationwide is purebred. Every time people adopt an animal
from a shelter, they save one more dog or cat from a tragic
fate.
Won't Sterilization Make My Pet Get Fat and Lazy? NO.
Your pet will actually benefit from spaying or neutering.
Sterilized pets lead healthier, longer lives. Spaying
a female eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian
cancer and greatly reduces the chances of breast cancer.
Neutering a male reduces the risk of both prostate enlargement
and prostate cancer. Neutering will also make your pet
more affectionate and less likely to roam, get in fights,
or become lost. Pets become fat and lazy as a result of
overeating and lack of exercise, not from spaying and
neutering.
Must I Sterilize My Pet To Be A Responsible Pet Owner?
Yes.
Sterilization is an important part of being a responsible
pet owner. Responsible pet ownership also means providing
adequate food and water and proper veterinary care; obeying
the leash and licensing laws in your community; and giving
your pet the love, companionship, exercise and attention
he/she needs.
Are There Simple Steps I Can Take? Yes.
First prevent a litter. This is the single most important
step you can take. Have your pet sterilized so that he/she
does not contribute to the pet overpopulation problem,
and adopt your next pet from an animal shelter. But don't
stop there: spread the word in your community that the
pet overpopulation problem must - and can - be solved.
Work to ensure that all animals have homes, adequate food
and water, proper medical care, and love. Urge your legislators
to pass mandatory spay/neuter and differential-licensing
laws. Talk to civic groups, schools, and neighborhood
associations and enlist their support.
PROMOTING THE PROTECTION OF ALL ANIMALS
The Humane Society
OF THE UNITED STATES
2001 L Street, NW, Washington,
DC 20037 202-452-1100
www.hsus.org
© 1999
The Humane Society of the United States. All Rights Reserved.
PET OVERPOPULATION FACTS The Humane Society of the United
States
If
you are interested in learning more about our Spay/Neuter
Programs call
585-428-SPAY or return to the services
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