Written by: Erika Pettersson
Edited by: Kalyan Archakam, Mukhil Thavathiru Murugan, and Anthony Chen
Every year, 27 million cats and dogs are born in the U.S., and “around 4 million of these animals are euthanized because homes are unable to be found for them.” (World Animal Foundation). Many reasons contribute to this, and one of them is not properly spaying and neutering dogs and cats. Over time, this leads to many unwanted animals being born who might end up in shelters, and it is the biggest cause of overpopulation in animal shelters. Moving homes and dealing with landlord problems are also one of the most prominent reasons pet owners resort to giving away their pets. Additional contributors to overcrowding in shelters are professional and backyard breeders. Many breeders buy purebred animals specifically to create animals with specific features. Inbreeding in purebred animals can lead to many health problems, such as blindness, hearing problems, schizophrenia, heart disease, and epilepsy. In addition, another cause of overpopulation in animal shelters are pet stores and puppy mills. According to the World Animal Foundation, “Puppy mills are facilities that mass breed dogs in almost assembly-line conditions, where dogs are considered nothing more than products.” Most puppy mills survive off of the demand for purebred animals. They keep the animals in horrible conditions and are prone to disease.
Overall, there are many contributors to the overpopulation problem in animal shelters, and the best way to help is by spaying and neutering animals. Another way we can help is by choosing not to purchase animals from pet shops, puppy mills, and backyard breeders. Instead, it would be most beneficial to adopt them from animal shelters. It is also essential to consider all responsibilities and the consequences of having a pet before getting one. Spreading information about the pet overpopulation problem is a great way to help raise awareness.
Works Cited:
“Animal Overpopulation Crisis.” Companion Animals News & Facts, World Animal Foundation, 8 Jan. 2022.
“Animal Population Control - American Humane.” American Humane, 25 Feb. 2021, www.americanhumane.org/position-statement/animal-population-control/. Accessed 12 Mar. 2022.
Paw Works. “Pet Overpopulation.” Paw Works, 25 Aug. 2021, https://www.pawworks.org/pet-overpopulation/.
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