WHY DO WE CARE?
Every year, animal organizations take in, care for and attempt to adopt out millions of animals who, through no fault of their own, are born without an awaiting home, can no longer be cared for by their families, have been abused or abandoned, or are just lost, but have no identification and therefore no way back home.
Although precise data is not available, it is estimated that 8-10 million American pets are taken in by shelters. Of which, 4-5 million are euthanized each year (mutt and purebred) as a desperate and heartbreaking means by often underfunded and under staffed animal care and control organizations to manage the overwhelming numbers of homeless and unwanted pets in our society. Additionally, these numbers do not include the many animals taken in by rescue groups (like Paw's Place), and the free roaming and feral pets (estimated to be in the tens of millions) that must fend for themselves in our neighborhoods.
Not only do these creatures we claim to love have the capacity to suffer greatly, but also communities spend millions of dollars to round up, house, adopt out or euthanize them, and free roaming and feral pets can annoy a public that has no understanding of their misery or needs. Additionally, this tragedy takes a significant emotional toll on those who handle this societal tragedy on the community's behalf.
Do we not set the tone for our society by the way that we treat, and honor our responsiblity towards those that are dependent upon us?
If you have pets, or are considering adding a pet to your family, please learn about a pet's lifetime needs and care for your pet responsibly. You can be a part of the solution!
Spay, spayed; spaying: to surgically remove the reproductive organs of a female animal so that an animal cannot give birth to puppies or kittens
Neuter, neutered, fix, fixed: to surgically disable a male animal so that the animal cannot breed with a female to have puppies or kittens
It is not true that:
Neutered males are less manly than non-neuterd males.
Neutered males become stupid and are not able to hunt properly.
Neutered males are lazy and gain excessive weight.
You can make a lot of money selling puppies and kittens.
It is true that:
Because spay/neuter is not mandatory, accidental litters costs you, the taxpayers, millions of tax dollars every year. If you're not a responsible breeder, spay or neuter your pet!
Most county animal control euthanasia statistics are reported in the thousands of animals killed every year.
County animal control units ("animal shelters") in southeast North Carolina put hundreds of animals to sleep prior to an approaching hurricane in order to make room for the hundreds of lost animals that are found after a hurricane. Why? They don't have extra room because there's already too many homeless pets.
Don't loose your pet before or after a hurricane! Take some basic precautions!
Paw's Place is not an "animal shelter" - it is a no-kill animal rescue!
So you're got a litter of puppies or kittens because you because you didn't spay or neuter your pet.
You're decided to place a "Free to Good Home" ad in the newspaper to give away the litter.
References:
Prevent A Litter Coalition, Inc.
American Humane Association "Animal Shelter Euthanasia"
American Humane Association "Animal Overpopulation"
The Top Ten Reasons for Pet Relinquishment to Shelters in the United States
Puppy Mill Rescue - Backyard Breeder
American Kennel Club - Responsible Breeders
American Kennel Club - Dogs in the Family > Be a Responsible Dog Owner > #85 Spay or Neuter
