Pet Overpopulation

Every year, millions of animals must be euthanized in our nation's shelters because there are not enough good homes for them. This tragedy is preventable - by spaying or neutering our pets, we can effectively and humanely end the pet overpopulation crisis.

MYTH VS. FACT

MYTH: Spaying and neutering is painful.
FACT: Surgeries are performed under a general anesthetic by certified veterinarians. Animals usually return to normal activity within 24 to 72 hours. Any discomfort experienced is minimal, and well outweighs the suffering and death caused by uncurbed breeding.

MYTH: Animals, dogs in particular, are less protective after sterilization, and show other negative behavioral changes.
FACT: Any changes brought about by spaying and neutering are generally positive. Neutered male cats tend to reduce territorial spraying, and neutered dogs and cats fight less and are less likely to stray from home in search of a mate. Spayed dogs don't go into heat and no longer need to be confined to the house to avoid pregnancy. Altered animals remain protective and loyal to their guardians.

MYTH: Males don't give birth, so we don't need to alter them.
FACT: The old saying "It takes two to tango" is as true for animals as it is for humans. And while a female dog or cat may only have one litter at a time, male animals can impregnate many females each day.

MYTH: Spaying and neutering is expensive.
FACT: The price of surgery varies considerably among veterinary clinics. If the price of surgery seems high at the time, consider that it is a real bargain when compared with the cost of raising a litter of pups or kittens. Spaying and neutering also saves public dollars. On average, it costs about $100 to capture, house, feed and eventually destroy a stray animal -- a cost which each taxpayer eventually pays.

THE FIGURES

• An estimated 52 million dogs and 57 million cats live with U.S. families.
• For every human born, 7 puppies and kittens are born.
• One female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.
• One female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in six years.
• More than 11 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year. Millions more are abandoned in rural and urban areas.
• As many as 25% of dogs entering shelters each year are purebreds.
• Approximately 61% of all dogs entering shelters are destroyed.
• Approximately 75% of all cats entering shelters are destroyed.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Have an animal altered. If your pets are already spayed or neutered, sponsor a friend's, relative's, or a shelter animal.
• Spread the word. Remind others that spaying and neutering benefits animals, our community, and gives pet owners peace of mind.
• Support your local humane society. Donate money, supplies or your time.

WHY YOU CAN'T FIND A GOOD HOME FOR EVERY ONE

Do you believe you aren't adding to the pet overpopulation problem if you find good homes for all your pet's puppies or kittens? Then consider this:

Suppose there are 10 families in your community that want puppies and can provide good homes for them, but there are 15 puppies who need good homes. When each of the 10 families takes a puppy, there will be 5 "leftover" puppies who have no future except humane euthanasia.

Then suppose you let your dog have a litter of five puppies. There are now 20 puppies in the community who need good homes...but still only 10 good homes available. Even if you manage to place every one of your five puppies with one of the ten available homes, there are now 10 leftover puppies where before there were only 5. You've created more animals, but you haven't created more homes-- just taken some homes away from other puppies and kittens, dogs and cats. By allowing your pet to breed, you've increased the number of puppies that will have to be euthanized because no one wants them.

Until breeding is limited to the point where there are more than enough good homes available for all the puppies and kittens being born in your community, you can't find a good home for every one.

Reprinted courtesy of The American Humane Association

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