Pet Over-Population

PET OVERPOPULATION

The PROBLEM:

According to statistics, there are approximately 2,000-3,500 dogs and cats born every hour in the United States. In comparison, there are only about 415 humans born per hour. Mathematics would show us that the thousands of animals born every hour yield tens of millions of dogs and cats born each year. Since dogs and cats reproduce at a much faster rate than people, it is easy to understand that there will never be enough homes available for them all.

The RESULTS:

The saddest statistic of all is that the majority of these animals which are born will not survive. Many die in the wild, on the streets, and in the alleys...victims of disease, malnutrition, illness, traffic accidents, attacks from other animals, and cruelty and abuse at the hands of humans. Many more end up in animal shelters and animal control facilities. Even though staffs work hard to find homes for as many as possible, the majority of these animals will unfortunately have to be euthanized.

In the United States approximately 10-12 million dogs and cats, through no fault of their own, die in the wild or are euthanized every year for one simple, yet tragic reason..... they were born.

Click on the graphic below to learn more about pet overpopulation's staggering statistics. This tragedy affects not only pets, but communities across the United States.

BUT, BUT, BUT......

"...What If I Let My Pet Have Just One Litter?"

Many people may believe that their pet's one litter can't possibly have an effect on the total pet over-population problem. However, the pet overpopulation is a result of each one of these litters. In fact, every puppy or kitten born has an effect on or is effected by the pet overpopulation problem in some way. If you allow your dog or cat to have just one litter, then she is obviously adding to the pet population. As time goes on, your pet, her offspring, and generation after generation of her offspring can continue to reproduce, adding more and more to the pet-overpopulation and thereby perpetuate the problem. According to reproduction rates of dogs and cats, one unspayed female dog and her unspayed female offspring can theoretically give birth to 67,000 puppies in just 6 years. Because cats generally have larger litters than dogs and more often during the year, one unspayed female cat and her unspayed female offspring can theoretically reproduce 420,000 kittens in just 7 years! * And keep in mind, male dogs and cats are just as responsible for the pet-overpopulation numbers as females.

* (Humane Society of the United States, Pet Overpopulation Statistics)

"...What If I Have a Purebred?"

Simply owning a purebred does not guarantee quality. Most purebreds are not breeding quality. If you breed your pet quality dog or cat, you are what most in the business consider a "backyard breeder". Whether you breed it in your backyard, garage, living room or an expensive hotel room, the term is still backyard breeder. In addition, even if you have been breeding your purebreds for many years and feel you have the necessary experience, you are still probably not what the professionals in the dog/cat breeding organizations, consider an actual professional breeder. Every breed of dog recognized by the AKC, (American Kennel Club-the most well known Dog Breed Registry organization) has a written standard, or blueprint, of what a specific breed of dog should look like and act like. This is also true for the CFA (Cat Fanciers Association, the largest, national cat registry) These standards were written so that all would know what a quality example of the breed is and strive to produce dogs/cats that meet or exceed the standard in health, temperament and appearance. Unless you are a breeder whose breeding stock has been judged by a professional breed standard judge, has a lineage of champion bloodlines and are familiar with all the specifics (medical, physical, temperamental, behavioral, historical background, etc.) of your dog/cat breed, then you are probably what is considered a 'backyard breeder. Responsible breeders devote lifetimes to learning as much as they can about their breed and about canine health and training. Professional breeders are well know - many known even nationally, have extensive references, background, experience and knowledge. Professional breeders spend thousands and thousands of dollars in the breeding process and generally provide the vet care and vaccinations for the entire offspring prior to selling the puppies or kittens, as well as a "health guarantee" for each in the litter. Professional breeders themselves even understand the importance of only passing along genuinely high quality offspring and prior to selling, will often spay or neuter those in the litter that do not exemplify perfect quality or contain genetic imperfections or concerns. Professional breeders are few in number compared to 'Backyard breeders' which can be found in just about every neighborhood.

A professional breeder's motto is "breed to improve, NOT to simple increase numbers or make some extra money"

"...I Provide the Public with PUREBRED Animals, If People Want a Mutt or a Mixed Breed, They Can Visit the Animal Shelter!"

One of the misconceptions that people have about animal shelters is that they only have "mutts" available and even then, they must have some sort of behavior problem or they wouldn't be in the shelter to begin with. Sadly, this is untrue. People may not realize that animal shelters are not just exclusive to "MUTTS". The Kokomo Humane Society has had many, many wonderful and healthy breeds of purebreds that have been available for adoption. In fact, according to animal sheltering statistics, approximately 25% of animals in shelters are purebreds.

How do these Purebreds, or any other dog or cat for that matter, end up in a shelter, you wonder? Well many are simply leftovers from litters that a 'backyard breeder' could not find a home for. Others went to an owner that later found out they just could no longer care for it or acquired it on impulse. Others arrived with similar stories such as no time, too expensive, allergies, moving, too many, too much responsibility, etc. The majority of animals in an animal shelter are simply a victim of circumstances beyond their control..

If someone is wishing to get a purebred, they can visit an animal shelter and more than likely will eventually find what they are looking for. There is no real need for a person to pay a high price for one obtained through a 'less than professional' source. However, if anyone is still insistent about acquiring their new pet from a "breeder" they need to thoroughly check out their references, background, breed knowledge and experience, breeding conditions, health guarantees, and professional standards and procedures. Remember, there are many, many more backyard breeders looking to make some extra cash, than there are true "professional" breeders breeding pure quality breed specimens. The multitudes of animals that are produced and provided to the public by backyard breeders certainly does nothing to help reduce the euthanasia of 8-12 millions of animals across the country...in fact in contributes greatly to the problem.

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"...My Dog Has Registration Papers"

Having a pet that is "registered" may or may not mean anything. Registries are not a guarantee of quality. Simply put, a registered puppy or kitten was born to registered parents. A puppy does not have to pass any stringent tests to be registered. Nor does it have to be healthy or of healthy stock. Its temperament can encompass the worst of a breed and it still can be registered. No one from a registry examines the puppy or its parents before registration takes place. Registries also are not in the business of policing breeders. While a registry will investigate fraud if a breeder violates its regulations regarding registration procedures, registries do not regulate the quality of breeding stock or the conditions under which dogs are bred. Registries rely on breeders to be honest when filling out the forms.

For dogs, two of the most well known registries in our country is the AKC (American Kennel Club) and the UKC (United Kennel Club) Because there has been problems with inaccurate or falsified pedigree records, the AKC and the UKC will sometimes require DNA testing in order to authenticate the bloodlines. Still in the majority of cases, registries will take the "breeders" word that a pedigree, or ancestral record, is accurate.

There are a very large number of other dog and cat registries. Some reputable and some questionable. For example, there are some registries that will allow you to register your pet and it's litter when you have been turned down by other registries! Others that will allow you to register your litter when you have no known background on the ancestry, or lineage background of your pet. When a litter of pups or kittens are advertised as 'registered', new buyers often think they're getting something special when in actuality they may not be.

To read more about a few of the dog registries and their guidelines, click here.

http://winddreamer.net/labfiles/alternative_dog_registries.html

"...My Pet is Pedigreed"

A pedigree is nothing more than a record of the dog or cat's ancestors. If all of it's ancestors are of the same breed, then the animal is considered a "purebred". However, if the dog or cat's ancestors are of differing breeds, then you still can write out a pedigree, or ancestral record of that pet - however, that pet is not considered a "purebred" even though it now has a pedigree. In fact, it would be a mixed breed, or "mutt" with a pedigree! Having a pedigree only means that a pet's ancestors are known, not that it is a purebred. Some breeders count on people not realizing this and sell mutts as if they were purebreds, saying they are "pedigreed"

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"... I Always Find Good Homes for the Littermates So I Wouldn't Be Bringing More Animals Into the Shelter...So What is the Problem?"

Remember, even though you believe you are doing the responsible thing by finding homes for the puppies and kittens in your pet's litter, you are still taking away a potential home and thereby signing a death sentence to an animal in the shelter that has been waiting for a home. Statistics show that on the average nationally, only 2 out of 10 shelter animals find a home. When you find homes for your pet's litter, you have reduced those odds tremendously since now those people will not need to visit the shelter to find a new friend. True, you may find a home for one of your own and even make a few bucks doing it, but you are adding to the tragic problem which results in the euthanization of healthy, wonderful shelter animals.

And Please Consider This...

Even if you do find homes for all of your new puppies and kittens, how can you be guaranteed that you found that puppy or kitten a "good" home? In the majority of cases, the puppies and kittens that are sold or given away, are soon lost track of. It is important to realize that there are millions of puppies and kittens across the country (thousands right here in our own community!) that are abused, neglected, ignored, wander loose fending for themselves, breed uncontrollably, are hit in traffic, die of disease and starvation, are given up to shelters, or are abandoned later down the road by their owners. How can you be sure that the people that took your dog or cat's puppy or kitten is taking proper care of it and giving it plenty of attention? In the majority of cases, you may have completely forgotten about the people and the pet, and ready to start breeding again!

And if by chance, you can't find them all homes, are you willing to keep all the 'extras' indefinitely....say 10-15 years or so? Or will you have to bring them to the animal shelter eventually when they get too expensive to feed and take to the vet? Or will you abandon them on the side of the road? There are millions of homeless animals in shelters across the United States that are someone's "litter left-overs" ( i.e. ones which the owner couldn't find homes for.) Sadly, in all likelihood, most will end up being euthanized simply because of the overpopulation of dogs and cats . Yes, you most definitely have added to the problem when you allow your dog or cat to reproduce.

Granted, when you are looking at only the 6-8 puppies or kittens in your pet's litter, it is easy to imagine that one litter couldn't possibly make an impact a problem of the pet overpopulation. However, there are literally thousands and thousands of people with the same perspective every day. It is because of this lack of awareness or concern, why people continue to allow their pet to breed...purposely or accidentally.

The Animals Are Asking YOU to Make the WISE CHOICE.....

PLEASE HAVE YOUR PET SPAYED OR NEUTERED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Dogs and cats that have been spayed or neutered cannot continue to contribute to the pet overpopulation tragedy. Uncontrolled breeding, backyard breeders, and accidental breeding is putting too many animals at risk of being euthanized or dying by other means such as suffering at the hands of irresponsible owners and on the city and country roads. Spaying and neutering is a responsible decision for the community and the animal population in general.

Also, spaying and neutering is a good decision for your pet. Dogs and cats that have been spayed or neutered are healthier and stand a chance of a happier and longer life. By having a vet surgically remove the reproduction organs, you remove their chance of getting several types of cancers and diseases, one such being pyometra in females. Pyometra is a disease that can develop in the female's uterus and will result in death if left untreated.

You Can Help Those Which Have Already Been Born

Have your pet spayed or neutered so it can't add more dogs and cats to the pet overpopulation.

Encourage those that are interested in getting a new pet, to adopt an already homeless animal from a shelter

Educate yourself about the pet overpopulation and the benefits of spaying and neutering pets.

Educate others.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW

To read more about how spaying and neutering can reduce your pet's chances of getting several deadly diseases and improve it's behavior

If you have questions about spaying and neutering please contact your veterinarian. If you have a question about pet overpopulation or would like additional information,

please send us an email or call 765-452-6224