Please spay and neuter

I don’t know how people are equipped to work at a Humane Society where literally thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized because of the volume of animals coming through the doors? They are much stronger than me.

Statistically, a female cat can give birth to 20,000 kittens in five years. The majority of these are brought into a Humane Society by the public, or picked up by Animal Control and then taken to a Humane Society. The numbers for dogs aren’t quite as staggering but are still excessive.

One Humane Society in East Texas reports 9,003 dogs and cats were brought to them in 2007. Of those, 6,708 were euthanized and 2,904 were adopted. Since 1988 their records show a total of 193,363 animals have gone through their doors; 145,000 were euthanized.

Humane Societies are meant to be animal rescue and adoption centers. Unfortunately, instead they have become a dumping ground for unwanted or stray animals. With only so much room in any facility and with every nook and cranny filled, the only option for those animals not adopted is to be euthanized.

So why is this happening? I wish I could say that all pet owners are responsible and have their pets spayed or neutered. The real key in controlling the number of unwanted animals is a proactive spay and neuter program. This solution is so much kinder and compassionate than having defenseless animals euthanized.

Some Humane Societies are hosting educational programs to teach school children about responsible pet ownership. Some are including a “lost and found” section on their websites to try to reunite owners with lost pets. Others are supporting more stringent laws and penalties for owners who don’t spay or neuter their pets. There are many worthwhile programs being initiated across the country.

Any effort to reduce the number of unwanted animals is worthwhile. Won’t you do your part?