Overpopulation of pets is a global issue. I am not knowledgeable in regards to the statistics in other countries but every year in the U.S., an estimated 6 to 8 million lost, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats enter animal shelters and approximately half of those, many of them healthy, young, and adoptable—must be euthanized. Unfortunately these numbers rise year after year.
One would think that education and responsible ownership would help with this problem. Is it possible for such a huge problem to be solved?
YES. But only by implementing widespread sterilization programs, only by spaying and neutering all companion animals, will we be able to get a handle on this problem. Consider the fact that in six short years one female dog and her offspring can be the source of 67,000 puppies. In seven years one cat and her young can produce 420,000 kittens. Given these high reproductive rates, it stands to reason that carefully planned and implemented sterilization programs could produce a dramatic reduction in the number of unwanted companion animals born in only a few years. In fact, in those towns and cities that have implemented such programs, we've already seen the number of companion animals who had to be euthanized decline by 30 to 60 percent?even in those communities whose human populations have been steadily increasing. Successful pet-overpopulation control programs range from low-cost sterilization clinics, to cooperative efforts involving local veterinarians, to mass-media educational campaigns. Only through the nationwide establishment of such programs will we be able to bring an end to the tragedy of pet overpopulation.
Abandoned and stray companion animals who survive in the streets and alleys of cities and suburbs pose a health threat to humans and to other animals. Homeless companion animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and anger citizens who have no understanding of their misery or their needs. Some of these animals scare away or prey upon wildlife.
Living creatures have become throwaway items to be cuddled when cute and abandoned when they become inconvenient. Such disregard for animal life pervades and erodes our culture globally.
