May 2012, Jessica, LVT
Did you know it is estimated that 3.7 million animals were euthanized in shelters nationally in 2008 alone? The majority of these euthanasia’s are due to overpopulation of shelters. For this reason, among many others, it is important to spay or neuter your pets. Shelter overpopulation is a big issue in the U.S. because too many lost or stray dogs and cats are ending up in shelters, only 10% of which usually come to shelters already spayed or neutered. This just perpetuates the issue of uncontrolled breeding while pets are lost or strayed. Shelters don’t have the capacities or the funding to support and care for so many pets until they are adopted, so they resort to euthanasia to make space. No matter how unfair it seems, it is something shelters everywhere are faced with.
Overpopulation of our nation’s shelters stems anywhere from puppy mill operations getting busted to irresponsible or accidental breeding, both of which can be prevented by spaying or neutering our companion animals. Plus spaying and neutering costs less than raising a litter of puppies or kittens properly until they are ready for new homes. Like I mentioned earlier, there are many more reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered, this is just one of them. For more information about pet populations, visit the American Humane Association or the ASPCA websites. For more information about spaying or neutering your pet, call us at Helping Hands Vet Clinic to speak with our technicians or set up an exam with one of our friendly doctors, we can help you out.
Jessica, LVT
