Overpopulation

Domestic Animal Overpopulation. Do people ever think about how many stray animals are roaming the streets or in shelters? Thirty-five percent of pet owners do not spay or neuter their pets, so each year eight million stray animals end up in shelters each year. Only 3.5 million people adopt a pet from a shelter. The rest of the animals stay in the shelter and suffer in the cages waiting for a new home. Why do animals have to suffer in shelters, on the streets or in puppy mills because of irresponsible owners? Most people breed pets for pleasure and when they cannot sell them or afford them anymore they put them on the streets or drop them off at shelters. Owners are unwilling, unprepared, or unable to care for their pets. Having a pet is a big responsibility and people need to be willing to do whatever it takes to care for their pet and give them the best life possible. If people knew everything that was involved in owning a pet they may have second thoughts about getting a pet. Some people just do not care and will get a pet because they want to even though it might not be a good choice for them. Shelters can be wonderful but harmful places for all animals. No kill shelters provide a safe place for animals to live without having to worry if they are going to be killed or not, while other shelters will humanely euthanize animals that are too aggressive. Sometimes shelters do not have the room or resources need to care for all the animals that come through their doors. When there are too many pets sometimes good, loving animals in shelters they are humanely euthanized just because no one wants them. Shelters want to try and help all animals but they can only do so much. Private rescues often aid shelters when they become overcrowded. Private rescues sometimes cannot care for all the animals they get in, so when the shelters need them to take pets they usually do not have enough room for them. Breeding pets is a joyful experience for responsible animal