4 Million Pets are Euthanized Each Year in Animal Shelters | Save Lives | Adopt Shelter Cats and Dogs

Save a pet by adopting an animal from the pound.
Prevent more deaths by spaying and neutering your pets.

We Americans love our pets. According to the Humane Society, Americans own more than 135 million cats and dogs. Still, it estimates 6-8 million of them end up in animal shelters each year. Less than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs in the pound are ever reclaimed by their owners. About 4 million shelter animals a year are euthanized.

The good news is that we are making great progress in reducing those numbers. In the 1970s around 25% of cats and dogs born in the US were put to death, now it's down to about 3%. There can be no doubt that a big reason for this reduction is the rise in the rates of spaying and neutering of pets. In my youth it was very uncommon for a male dog to be neutered, now an intact male is a relatively rare sight.

I can well understand why people would be resistant to having surgery on their beloved pet, especially when it is perfectly healthy. While most pets tolerate the surgery very well, it is stressful for both pet and owner. Honestly, if there was another practical way to prevent pet overpopulation, I would definitely consider it. But as it stands now spay and neuter is the best tool we have to bring pet population in line with the number of homes available for them.

Lots of people feel that if they have a purebred dog it is OK to breed it. But as much as 25% of the shelter population is made up of purebred dogs. Sometimes certain breeds become very popular, and then lot of them turn up in the pound. Right now Pit bulls and Chihuahuas make up a large proportion of shelter dogs in California. Just because an animal has a good pedigree is no guarantee of a permanent home. While I am against any law that prohibits the breeding of dogs, I would hope pet owners would think of the lives they are creating and not just crank out litter after litter of puppies or kittens.

Many states, including California where I live, have laws requiring sterilization or a promise to sterilize pets that are adopted from a shelter or animal rescue. I know that at my local pound all animals are sterilized prior to being offered for adoption.

If you are looking for a pet, please consider saving a life by adopting an animal from the pound. Websites like petfinder.com or adoptapet.com are a great resource to see what kind of pets are available.They include animals from lots of different individuals, rescue groups, and shelters. If you have searched your heart and done your research, and you are certain that you are ready for the joys and responsibilities of a pet, you can always just walk in to your local animal shelter. Be sure to choose carefully and if possible spend a little time bonding with your prospective pet before bringing him home, you are making a lifetime commitment and it is not to be taken lightly. Everyone deserves a second chance, and you'll feel great knowing you've given that chance to your new companion.