Fact #5

SilverWordz on Dec. 15, 2007

Of the 7 million cats and dogs that go into animal shelters, around 4 million are euthanized every year.

Animals are euthanized for several reasons, but the overwhelming reason why these animals have to be destroyed is there is simply no place else for them. Most animal shelters have barely enough money to run at all, let alone care for every single animal that comes in its doors, for the remainder of the animal’s life.

Around 65% of homes within the United States have pets. And it’s estimated that only 16% of those homes adopted from an animal shelter. Most people acquire dogs from breeders or friends.

If you’re looking for a pure bred, it’s reported that about 25% of animals in shelters are indeed pure bred!

There is no easy fix for the current over population problem, but with time and the help of everyone, eventually the problem can be controlled and all the needless waste of life can be stopped.

The most important thing is to be a responsible pet owner. Spay or neuter your pet, so they won’t be contributing to the problem. And take proper care of your pet by not letting them roam and make sure they are properly tagged and/or chipped.

And if you’re thinking of becoming a pet owner, please consider adopting from your local animal shelter or seek out an animal rescue organization.