Dog Overpopulation

Every year in the United States, there are approximately five to seven million dogs or cats that enter into shelters and about three to 4 million of those are killed via euthanasia. This equals out to about 60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats in shelters that die each year (ASPCA). These statistics are shocking, to say the least, and they are one of the many reasons why no person should ever own a pet without having them spayed or neutered.

When I say the word pet, I am focusing on cats and dogs because they are the most popular pets in the United States, yet the citizens of our nation do little to nothing to protect them. Overpopulation is a grandiose problem—and with more strays on the streets than can be counted—to say the problem is out of
Pets that are unaltered have high levels of stress particularly around what is referred to as mating season. There are several annoyances that occur when animals are in heat. A few of these include: spotting of reproductive liquids on furniture and walls, pacing and crying, sexual frustration, irritability, and urine marking. There is also the benefit of avoiding life-threatening disorders, diseases and sicknesses such as cancer, birth or pregnancy complications, AIDS, and other similar problems. Lastly, having your pets fixed reduces a risk of them escaping enclosed areas to go find a mate, which can lead to death from automobiles or other animals they may encounter who will fight them for the love of the opposite sex (Animal Coalition).

The overpopulation of pets can also lead to a decrease in the populations of other species such as birds, squirrels and rodents. While it may not seem like a major issue, overpopulation definitely has a fairly significant impact on other wildlife because “worldwide, cats may have been involved in the extinction of more bird species than any other cause, except habitat destruction” (Save the