Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Cold Hard Facts on Pet Overpopulation
I would apologize for posting something so graphic but I hope this point gets across:
The Cold Hard Facts on Pet Overpopulation
Pet overpopulation is a big problem not only in Los Angeles, but all over the country. The simple truth is there are too many homeless dogs and not enough good homes. Having our pets altered is a solid and effective defense against overpopulation in that it places few and fewer offspring in kill-shelters. Below are a few of the grisly statistics compiled by national publications and animal rights organizations. If we are aware of the problem, perhaps we can be part of the solution.
It costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $2 billion each year to round up, house, kill, and dispose of homeless animals. (USA Today)
Over 56% of dogs and puppies entering shelters are killed, based on reports from over 1,055 facilities across America. (National Counsel on Pet Population Study)
An estimated 5 million cats and dogs are killed in shelters each year. That's one about every six and one half seconds. (The Humane Society of the United States) Millions more are abandoned, only to suffer from illness or injury before dying. (Doris Day Animal League)
In six years one unspayed female and her offspring, can reproduce 67,000 dogs (Spay USA)
Less than 3% of dog guardians are responsible for surplus births (Save Our Strays)
The perceived high cost of altering is not the problem, but the lack of education on its benefits. On average it costs approximately $100 to capture, house, feed and eventually kill a homeless animal - a cost that ultimately comes out of our pocket. Low cost spay/neuter services are far below that amount. (Doris Day Animal League)
The cost of having a pregnant female can be much higher than the cost of spaying
Seven dogs & cats are born every day for each person born in the U.S. Of those, only 1 in 5 puppies and kittens say in their original home for their natural lifetime. The remaining 4 are abandoned to the streets or end up at a shelter (The Humane Society of the United States)
Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals (Spay USA)
The public acquires only 14% of its pets from shelters; 48% get their pets as strays, from friends, from animal rescuers, 38% get their pets from breeders or pet stores (The Humane Society of the United States)
Only 30% of dog guardians are aware of the pet-overpopulation problem (Massachusetts SPCA survey 1993)
In a study of relinquishment of cats and dogs in 12 U.S. animal shelters, 30% of the surrendered dogs were purebreds. The same study indicated that 55% of the surrendered dogs and 47% of the surrendered cats were unaltered. (Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science)
The Humane Society of the United States provided these statistics:
Please alter your pets and Please do not buy a pet (dog or cat) from pet stores or breeders.
The Cold Hard Facts on Pet Overpopulation
Pet overpopulation is a big problem not only in Los Angeles, but all over the country. The simple truth is there are too many homeless dogs and not enough good homes. Having our pets altered is a solid and effective defense against overpopulation in that it places few and fewer offspring in kill-shelters. Below are a few of the grisly statistics compiled by national publications and animal rights organizations. If we are aware of the problem, perhaps we can be part of the solution.
It costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $2 billion each year to round up, house, kill, and dispose of homeless animals. (USA Today)
Over 56% of dogs and puppies entering shelters are killed, based on reports from over 1,055 facilities across America. (National Counsel on Pet Population Study)
An estimated 5 million cats and dogs are killed in shelters each year. That's one about every six and one half seconds. (The Humane Society of the United States) Millions more are abandoned, only to suffer from illness or injury before dying. (Doris Day Animal League)
In six years one unspayed female and her offspring, can reproduce 67,000 dogs (Spay USA)
Less than 3% of dog guardians are responsible for surplus births (Save Our Strays)
The perceived high cost of altering is not the problem, but the lack of education on its benefits. On average it costs approximately $100 to capture, house, feed and eventually kill a homeless animal - a cost that ultimately comes out of our pocket. Low cost spay/neuter services are far below that amount. (Doris Day Animal League)
The cost of having a pregnant female can be much higher than the cost of spaying
Seven dogs & cats are born every day for each person born in the U.S. Of those, only 1 in 5 puppies and kittens say in their original home for their natural lifetime. The remaining 4 are abandoned to the streets or end up at a shelter (The Humane Society of the United States)
Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals (Spay USA)
The public acquires only 14% of its pets from shelters; 48% get their pets as strays, from friends, from animal rescuers, 38% get their pets from breeders or pet stores (The Humane Society of the United States)
Only 30% of dog guardians are aware of the pet-overpopulation problem (Massachusetts SPCA survey 1993)
In a study of relinquishment of cats and dogs in 12 U.S. animal shelters, 30% of the surrendered dogs were purebreds. The same study indicated that 55% of the surrendered dogs and 47% of the surrendered cats were unaltered. (Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science)
The Humane Society of the United States provided these statistics:
- Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 8–10 million (HSUS estimate)
- Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 4–5 million (HSUS estimate)
- Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year: 3–5 million (HSUS estimate)
- Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year: Between 600,000 and 750,000—15–30% of dogs and 2–5% of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)
- Number of animal shelters in the United States: Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate)
- Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25% (HSUS estimate)
Please alter your pets and Please do not buy a pet (dog or cat) from pet stores or breeders.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Fostering a Dog
I read this post on FB and wanted to share it here. With so many dogs in need rescue groups are always looking for foster families. Please consider becoming a foster family!
By Sandy Ross
Several people have asked me lately about fostering. The most frequent comment that I hear is how they could never do that, it would be too hard to give the animal up. I think that knowing the animal died because it didn't have a foster home is far more difficult than giving up a foster pet to a good home. Most rescue groups that I know, pretty much the one thing that is always in shortest supply is foster homes. I certainly don't have a ton of time or space or money. What I do have is lots of love, and that's what these animals need. Some love, some food, and a safe place to stay.
If you are looking at fostering for the first time, I have a few things to share:
1-Yes, it's hard to say goodbye. But I'd rather wish them bon voyage than RIP.
2-The crate is your friend.
3-Feed foster animal separately from your own animals.
4-Most dogs do best with an opposite sex buddy. If you have a female, foster a male.
5-There is always a great shortage of foster homes for animals that need to be the only pet.
6-Give the foster animal at least 2 weeks to settle at your home. Be patient. Very patient.
7-Post lots of pictures! I want to see!!
By Sandy Ross
Several people have asked me lately about fostering. The most frequent comment that I hear is how they could never do that, it would be too hard to give the animal up. I think that knowing the animal died because it didn't have a foster home is far more difficult than giving up a foster pet to a good home. Most rescue groups that I know, pretty much the one thing that is always in shortest supply is foster homes. I certainly don't have a ton of time or space or money. What I do have is lots of love, and that's what these animals need. Some love, some food, and a safe place to stay.
If you are looking at fostering for the first time, I have a few things to share:
1-Yes, it's hard to say goodbye. But I'd rather wish them bon voyage than RIP.
2-The crate is your friend.
3-Feed foster animal separately from your own animals.
4-Most dogs do best with an opposite sex buddy. If you have a female, foster a male.
5-There is always a great shortage of foster homes for animals that need to be the only pet.
6-Give the foster animal at least 2 weeks to settle at your home. Be patient. Very patient.
7-Post lots of pictures! I want to see!!
Lost My Doggie Site
I came across this site and wanted to share, just in case you lost your beagle. While I have never used their service, below is information from their Web site:
Our services have 2 main purposes:
1. To get the word out about a lost pet to as many people as quickly as possible.
2. To re-unite lost pets with as many families as possible.
We provide many FREE services as well as paid services that are instrumental in finding lost dogs and cats. We're used by countless shelters and rescue groups when a reliable lost pet service is needed and we've been solely responsible for finding 1000's of lost dogs and cats over the last 5 years.
To learn more, visit their Web site - http://www.lostmydoggie.com/
Our services have 2 main purposes:
1. To get the word out about a lost pet to as many people as quickly as possible.
2. To re-unite lost pets with as many families as possible.
We provide many FREE services as well as paid services that are instrumental in finding lost dogs and cats. We're used by countless shelters and rescue groups when a reliable lost pet service is needed and we've been solely responsible for finding 1000's of lost dogs and cats over the last 5 years.
To learn more, visit their Web site - http://www.lostmydoggie.com/
Friday, January 18, 2013
Please - never surender your dog or cat to a shelter or return them
You have other options available - identify a reputable rescue group -- Please shelters fill up fast and your pet may only have 72 hours or less to live.Do the human thing and seek out a rescure group in your area. Face Book is a great tool to find rescue groups. Search using the words, "pet rescue" and your state or you can search by breed: beagle and state.
When you understand what "owner surrender" is all about you will think twice. This includes giving the pet back to the shelter.
Thank you!
When you understand what "owner surrender" is all about you will think twice. This includes giving the pet back to the shelter.
Thank you!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Inside View of an Animal Shelter by an Animal Shelter Manager
I saw this on Face Book and wanted to post it here, as sad as it is, because more people need to understands this message.
A shelter manager's letter:
As a shelter manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all - a view from the inside, if you will.
... Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know - that puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when it's not a cute little puppy anymore.
How would you feel if you knew that there's about a 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the shelter it is going to be dumped at - purebred or not! About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays" that come into my shelter are purebred dogs.
No shortage of excuses
The most common excuses I hear are:
We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat).
Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets?
The dog got bigger than we thought it would.
How big did you think a German Shepherd would get?
We don't have time for her.
Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs!
She's tearing up our yard.
How about bringing her inside, making her a part of your family?
They always tell me:
We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her. We know she'll get adopted - she's a good dog. Odds are your pet won't get adopted, and how stressful do you think being in a shelter is?
Well, let me tell you. Dead pet walking!
Your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment you drop it off, sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy.
If it sniffles, it dies.
Your pet will be confined to a small run / kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps. It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it.
If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers that day to take him / her for a walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose.
If your dog is big, black or any of the "bully" breeds (pit bull, rottweiler, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door. Those dogs just don't get adopted.
If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed.
If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed, it may get a stay of execution, though not for long. Most pets get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment.
If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles, chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment.
The grim reaper
Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down".
First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk - happy, wagging their tails. That is, until they get to "The Room".
Every one of them freaks out and puts on the breaks when we get to the door. It must smell like death, or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there. It's strange, but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs (depending on their size and how freaked out they are). A euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff". Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk it's leg. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood, and been deafened by the yelps and screams.
They all don't just "go to sleep" - sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.
When it all ends, your pet's corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back, with all of the other animals that were killed, waiting to be picked up like garbage.
What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know, and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal, and you can always buy another one, right?
Liberty, freedom and justice for all
I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head. I do everyday on the way home from work. I hate my job, I hate that it exists and I hate that it will always be there unless people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter.
Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.
My point to all of this is DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!
Hate me if you want to - the truth hurts and reality is what it is.
I just hope I maybe changed one person's mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog. I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say "I saw this on Facebook and it made me want to adopt".
That would make it all worth it.
I am posting this (and it is long) because I think our society needs a huge wake-up call.
A shelter manager's letter:
As a shelter manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all - a view from the inside, if you will.
... Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know - that puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when it's not a cute little puppy anymore.
How would you feel if you knew that there's about a 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the shelter it is going to be dumped at - purebred or not! About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays" that come into my shelter are purebred dogs.
No shortage of excuses
The most common excuses I hear are:
We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat).
Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets?
The dog got bigger than we thought it would.
How big did you think a German Shepherd would get?
We don't have time for her.
Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs!
She's tearing up our yard.
How about bringing her inside, making her a part of your family?
They always tell me:
We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her. We know she'll get adopted - she's a good dog. Odds are your pet won't get adopted, and how stressful do you think being in a shelter is?
Well, let me tell you. Dead pet walking!
Your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment you drop it off, sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy.
If it sniffles, it dies.
Your pet will be confined to a small run / kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps. It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it.
If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers that day to take him / her for a walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose.
If your dog is big, black or any of the "bully" breeds (pit bull, rottweiler, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door. Those dogs just don't get adopted.
If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed.
If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed, it may get a stay of execution, though not for long. Most pets get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment.
If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles, chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment.
The grim reaper
Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down".
First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk - happy, wagging their tails. That is, until they get to "The Room".
Every one of them freaks out and puts on the breaks when we get to the door. It must smell like death, or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there. It's strange, but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs (depending on their size and how freaked out they are). A euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff". Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk it's leg. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood, and been deafened by the yelps and screams.
They all don't just "go to sleep" - sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.
When it all ends, your pet's corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back, with all of the other animals that were killed, waiting to be picked up like garbage.
What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know, and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal, and you can always buy another one, right?
Liberty, freedom and justice for all
I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head. I do everyday on the way home from work. I hate my job, I hate that it exists and I hate that it will always be there unless people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter.
Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.
My point to all of this is DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!
Hate me if you want to - the truth hurts and reality is what it is.
I just hope I maybe changed one person's mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog. I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say "I saw this on Facebook and it made me want to adopt".
That would make it all worth it.
I am posting this (and it is long) because I think our society needs a huge wake-up call.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
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