The Solution to Overpopulation in Animal Shelters is Promotion

Despite the efforts of animal shelters and rescue groups, “5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized” (“Pet Statistics,”). Dogs give their owners companionship and unconditional love; and are also conducive to good health. Plus, saving a dog’s life makes you a hero. First, adopting a dog allows you to search for and find an exact match. Be aware of your hopes and wishes before selecting a dog breed; likewise, be informed about the size, temperament, grooming needs, and health issues of different breeds.

We need to stop buying puppies from commercial pet stores and online puppy scams, and we need to start adopting them from responsible breeders, rescue organizations, and shelters or pounds. Caroline Earle White, a leader in preventing the cruelty to animals, was a huge part in opening the first animal shelter, and was a big believer in treating animals well. (Beers 9) When you adopt from shelters or rescue organizations, you are saving a puppy from a life full of malnourishment, lack of love, and exposure to numerous diseases, giving it a home and no longer fueling the puppy mill industry. Years ago, people would go just directly to the breeder and pick out the puppy they found most fitting ... ... middle of paper ... ...asily be a part of your deciding factors. Your dog will need plenty of room to sleep and play, and again, some breeds will need more room than others and need more exercise than others.

An estimated eight million homeless animals in the United States are victims of euthanization as a means to keep the population under control (humanesociety.org). Not just sick or old animals are subject to these humane deaths, but healthy, young ones that deserved a good home. Many veterinarians tell their clients to get their furry companions neutered, due to this over population. However, people use inadequate excuses such as breeding to leave their comrade intact. Thus, dogs and other animals should be neutered or spayed due to the fact that there are too many pets in the USA and neutering and spaying reduces many health risks known in animals.

No animal are put to sleep because it is sick (unless it is upon veterinary advice) or because there is not enough space for it. Each dog is given a veterinary check-up, no matter how much it costs. AAA stresses the importance of neutering, both to prevent illnesses and to considerably reduce the number of animals left alone in the dangerous streets and bad weather conditions. Happy Paws Charity Organization is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which was founded in 2004 and strives to be a service to the local stray animal community. This organization provides free neutering services for caretakers who join its team such as those of AAA.

Many of the animal shelters in the United States face this same exact problem and are overwhelmed by the number of unwanted pets. There are many things that could lessen the strain such as mandatory spaying and neutering for pets that will not be used for breeding, tougher penalties to cut back on the number of dogs brought into shelters because of animal abuse, and having shelters hold adoption days at least twice a month to spread the word about older pet companions and to show the community how many animals the shelter takes in and cares for. Everyone at some point in time or another has gone by a Petco, a Petsmart, a Walmart, or even just a traders... ... middle of paper ... ...) All animals big or small deserve a loving caring family that will care for and treat them right. Animals need to be free from cages, to be able to run in a yard, play fetch, and chase a butterfly or two. For that vision to come true animal shelters need the help and support of their communities and for pet owners to take responsibility for their pets by neutering them.

Why would anyone be willing to assist in the support of puppy mills and their torture? Alfonsi, Sharyn, and Ted Gerstein. “Puppies Viewed as ‘Livestock’ in Amish Community, Says Rescue Advocate.” ABC News. ABC News Network. 27 Mar.

Overpopulation of animals has been a problem for us in the United States, especially with cats and dogs that are the typical house pets. These animals can be living out on the streets or even be confined in an abusive household. There are 6.5 million of companion cats and dogs who get rescued into shelters, but more three to four million will get euthanized. For the most part, the dogs that end up living in a puppy mill were born there and do not know what a loving family really is. Puppy mills are numerous in the United States though they are not illegal they should be because their care givers do not treat the animals the way they deserve as in other pet businesses.

The Benefits of Zoos and Animal Sanctuaries Zoos in the 21st century are beneficial in so many ways. Not only do they provide a safe habitat for mainly rescued animals, but they breed endangered animals for release into the wild. Some species are having much difficulty breeding because their lack of suitable habitats from the destruction of mankind. Every year, numerous animals go extinct. If we had these species in a breeding program in a zoo or sanctuary, we may not have lost them forever.

Many puppy mill operators fail to remove sick dogs from the breeding area and cause other animals to become infected as well. There are many diseases dogs while being in puppy mills. Some of theses diseases are heart disease, kidney disease, endocrine disorders, respiratory disorders and many more. The puppies created often arrive in pet stores and homes with diseases as well. (ASPCA) According to a recent study by the University of Pennsylvania Medicine, it has been proven dogs bred in puppy mills are unable to demonstrate impaired health.

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself (Josh Billing)”. The main reasons animals end up in shelter is because owners give them up, or animal control finds them on the street. Also homeless animals are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors. Homeless animals outnumber homeless people five to one and one out of every ten dogs born will find a permanent home According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy .Also less than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners when they are lost. Approximately more than 13,000 healthy or treatable animals were killed out of the 54,129 that entered city shelters last year.