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:
- Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million
- Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3-4 million
- 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
- Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25%
What can YOU do to help reduce pet overpopulation?
- Spay or neuter your companion animals.
- 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.)
- Volunteer or donate to rescue groups and animal shelters.
- 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.
