Animal shelters must kill millions each year
By Andrea Valdyke, Outpost contributor
On the
Web:
The
Humane Society of The United States
Citizens
for Animal Protection
Find The
Closest Shelter to your home
Animal overpopulation
has reached a crisis point in this country. For every person
born in the United States, 15 dogs and 45 cats are also
born. Euthanasia is the leading cause of death for these
animals in the United States.
Between 6 million and 8 million healthy, adoptable animals are killed annually in shelters, according to a two-year study by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy released in 1997.
The NCPPSP euthanasia study found that 55 percent of dogs and 71 percent of cats entering shelters do not find homes and are destroyed.
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Photo courtesy of Gorgeous kitten siblings such as these are not
uncommon at shelters across the country.
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And it's not just the old and sick animals that cannot find a home. The NCPPSP study concluded that most of the animals that are euthanized in animal shelters, 47 percent of dogs and 40 percent of cats, are between 5 months and 3 years old.
Pet owners can make a difference by spaying or neutering their pets. It is the single most important thing pet owners can do to prevent animal cruelty.
There are also many health reasons for spaying and neutering your pets. According to studies by the Humane Society of the United States:
- Spayed and neutered dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying female dogs and cats eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer.
- Neutering male dogs and cats reduces the incidence of prostate cancer.
Families and communities benefit as well because:
- Spayed and neutered pets make better, more affectionate, companions.
- Neutered cats are less likely to spray or mark territory.
- Spaying a female dog or cat eliminates its heat cycle, which often makes them cry incessantly, behave nervously and attract unwanted male animals.
- Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite. Unaltered animals often have more behavior and temperament problems than those that have been spayed or neutered.
- Neutered animals are less likely to roam and fight.
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Photo courtesy of Mia is a 5 month old Blonde
Shepherd mix female waiting to be
adopted. |
The task of finding a place for these pets becomes even harder when shelters have to deal with people's irresponsible animal breeding. For every home found for an animal that is bred, a home is lost for a shelter animal.
According to a study by the Humane Society, purebreds or their mongrel offspring account for 40 percent of all animals in shelters. "Papers" do not mean an animal should be bred.
Breeding to witness the miracle of birth demands that you visit an animal shelter to witness the tragic results. Millions of healthy, adoptable animals are destroyed annually simply because there are not enough homes. Pet owners can help solve this problem by spaying or neutering their pet.
Spay USA, 1-800-248-SPAY, is a national referral service for the public regarding low-cost spay and neuter programs. Additionally, your local humane society can provide information about low-cost spay/neuter certificates or other pet-related educational materials.
Posted Nov. 18, 1999
Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost
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