The Sobering Reality of Pet Overpopulation

As a nation, we claim to love cats and dogs. Millions of households have pets, and billions of dollars are spent yearly on pet supplies and food. But as a nation, we should take a hard, sobering look at a different annual statistic: the millions of dogs and cats given up to shelters or left to die on the streets. And the numbers tell only half the story.

Every cat or dog who dies as a result of pet overpopulation—whether humanely in a shelter or by injury, disease, or neglect—is an animal who, more often than not, would have made a wonderful companion, if given the chance.

The Humane Society of the United States pet overpopulation estimates:

1. Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million


2. Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3-4 million


3. Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year: Between 600,000 and 750,000 -- 30% of dogs and 2-5% of cats entering shelters
   
4. Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25%
   

What can YOU do to help reduce pet overpopulation?

1. Spay or neuter your companion animals.


2. Adopt from an animal shelter or rescue organization. Don't support puppy mills by buying from a pet shop. (Read one organization's efforts to stop pet shops from selling dogs obtained from puppy mills.)


3. Volunteer or donate to rescue groups and animal shelters.


4. Educate others about the reality of puppy mills and the benefits of spaying/neutering.

Click below to watch a video about the pet overpopulation crisis. (Warning: Contains graphic images.)

Information taken from Brightlion and HSUS.

Spay And Neuter: A PaLC Public Service Announcement

Some people think that neutering their pet may hurt them. Actually, neutering helps prevent some harmful medical problems for animals and decreases their chances of getting cancer. Neutering also deters high-risk behavior such as roaming, getting into fights, and mating. So, neutering your pet doesn't hurt – it helps.

Don't use your cats and dogs to teach your children about the birds and the bees. Between 8-12 million companion animals are killed each year in America due to lack of homes. Don't let your pet have even one litter. Spay or neuter today.

Why did Spot cross the road? He loved the ladies. Unfortunately, his latest girlfriend lived on the far side of the highway. Spot never made it to the other side. About 80% of dogs hit by vehicles each year are un-neutered males. Fixing your pet decreases the urge to wander and increases his chances of living a longer, healthier life. Get your pet fixed.

For every person that is born, 15 dogs and 45 cats are also born. You do the numbers … There aren't enough homes for them all. You can solve the problem. Spay or neuter today.

Only 1 in 9 cats and dogs born in the U.S. will find a home. The rest will be destroyed because nobody wants them. Could you choose which animal will live? It's a choice no one should have to make. But your local animal shelter makes this decision every day. You can help stop the killing. Spay or neuter your pet.

Information and graphic from The Dog Hause.