When it comes to pet ownership, we typically think of adorable dogs, cats, and other cute creatures that bring happiness to our lives. However, we often forget about the many animals left on the streets, struggling as they search for food and survival. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reported on October 26, 2009 that approximately 6-8 million animals end up in animal shelters or rescues with the hope of finding a loving home where they can be embraced as cherished family members.
Addressing the pressing problem of overpopulation in domestic animals is crucial. The large number of animals in shelters means that a majority of them must be euthanized to make room for more. To tackle this issue, one can consider spaying or neutering their pets and adopting from shelters or rescues. The rates of abandonment are worrisome due to factors such as people losing interest in their pets or not doing proper research before getting one. Furthermore, the economy has played a significant role in worsening the overpopulation crisis in shelters.
The economic recession in the United States has caused a notable effect on families, resulting in high levels of unemployment and foreclosures. This has led families to cut back on spending, including pet care. As a result, an increasing number of domestic animals are being abandoned or left to survive on their own, leading to a significant rise in shelter intake. According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), as of 2009, there were an estimated 60 million dogs and 75 million cats owned in the country.
Many animals were acquired by their owners at low or no cost, obtained from friends or family, adopted from shelters, or rescued from the streets. According to HSUS (2009), approximately 75% of these animals have been spayed or neutered. Ramos (n.d.) asserts that fertile female cats can give birth to 8 to 12 kittens annually, while fertile dogs can have 4 to 8 puppies per year. Basic calculations indicate that an unspayed female cat can produce up to fifty kittens in four years, and those kittens will also reproduce. This is a cycle that needs to be stopped.
The cost of a basic surgery is usually less than fifty dollars, but the cost of feeding fifty cats for one year can be extremely high. Additionally, veterinary schools and animal shelters have programs that can assist with the procedure. According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in 2003, about half of the dogs and seventy percent of the cats received by shelters each year are euthanized because there is not enough space, not due to sickness or misbehavior.
Reading this paper, it is alarming to realize that 10 animals are euthanized. However, by adopting an animal, we can prevent this tragedy. Adopting from a shelter has numerous benefits for both the owner and in tackling overpopulation. Firstly, all shelter animals undergo spaying or neutering which eliminates the need for additional medical expenses related to this procedure. Furthermore, some shelter animals were previously part of a household and may already have some level of training, making their transition into a new home smoother.
According to ASPCA (2003), about 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred. Opting for adoption from a shelter aids in preventing unnecessary killings of animals caused by overpopulation, which is mainly attributed to humans’ negligence in caring for their pets. It is our duty as responsible individuals to either spay/neuter our own pets or choose from the numerous animals already present in shelters and rescues nationwide.
