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November 2nd - 8th is National Animal Shelter Week. Animal Shelters do an amazing job considering how the odds are stacked against them. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that animal shelters care for between 6–8 million dogs and cats every year in the United States, of whom approximately 3–4 million are euthanized. At this time The HSUS can only estimate these figures because there is no central data reporting agency for animal shelters.
This overpopulation of companion animals is widely acknowledged across the country by professionals and experts in the animal welfare field. Overpopulation is a tragedy. There are simply not enough responsible homes for all of these wonderful, innocent animals. At this point in time, it would be impossible to humanely house every unwanted animal in the United States.
What can you do to help? First - spay or neuter your animals! This cannot be said often enough. Did you read those statistics above? There are 3-4 million animals killed each year because there is simply no place for them. There are 3-4 million cats and dogs available for adoption through shelters every single year. There is no reason to keep breeding more animals. I strongly urge you to adopt your pet from an animal shelter, rather than purchasing a pet from a pet store or breeder. Shelters offer an all-shapes-and-sizes potpourri of potential new best friends. You will find puppies and kittens at shelters as well as mature animals. In addition, The HSUS estimates that approximately 25% of shelter animals are purebred.
Click on the link above to read all about Puppy Mills - then try to tell me why you still need to buy a purebred dog instead of adopting one that desperately needs a home.
Visit the Humane Society Website to get a list of other ways you can help:
How to Get Involved
How to Volunteer at your Local Animal Shelter
