overpopulation

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The phenomenon of overpopulation in companion animals refers to the large number of homeless domestic cats and dogs. Iguanas are also frequently abandoned by owners due to their huge size and difficulty of caring for them. In the United States alone, between 5 and 7 million animals are brought to shelters each year, and between 3 and 4 million of them are euthanized each year because no one adopts them and the shelters do not have the resources to take care of all of the animals.^[1] As a result, most humane societies, animal shelters and rescue groups urge animal caregivers to have their animals spayed or neutered to prevent the births of unwanted and accidental litters.

Effects upon animals

Unwanted dogs may have been acquired from any source. When dogs are an impulse purchase, they often end up in a shelter because the owner did not consider the consequences in time and money that a pet takes. Hundreds of thousands of animals are placed in shelters by pet owners each year for reasons such as moving, behavioral problems, and lack of time or money. ^[2]

Purebred preference

One contributing factor in companion animal homelessness is cultural preference for young, purebred animals. Many people also prefer purebred animals, and choose to purchase animals of said description, often at significant cost, from breeders. Another reason to go to a pet store is because people know what size and characteristics the animal will have, which is often not the case for shelter puppies. It should be noted however that approximately 25% of the dogs who enter animal shelters are purebred. ^[3]

Recognizing the high demand for purebred animals, some people choose to engage in backyard breeding or operate puppy mills, practices where people breed purebred animals for profit, often without concern for the health or welfare of any of the animals involved. These animals may be sold through pet stores or directly from the breeders themselves.

Additionally, individuals seeking purebred animals may not realize that a homeless animal adopted from a shelter can have many advantages: often the shelter will have performed all necessary veterinary procedures, such as spaying or neutering, vaccination, deworming, microchipping, etc. Also, the personality of a kitten or puppy is not always an indicator of how the animal will behave in adulthood. Many shelter animals have reached adulthood and their personalities are apparent, allowing the would-be caregiver to select an animal with a personality that suits them. At the same time, disease issues should be considered with shelter animals. Many animals are transported to Northern states where there is no overpopulation problem. Such animals may be incubating disease or have parasites. Animals without a documented history may also have behavioral issues.

Organizational impact

There are several nonprofit organizations that are attempting to solve the problems associated with the overpopulation of animals, like euthanasia and high costs, through spay and neuter services.

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) ^[4]
• American Humane Association ^[5]
• Sante D'or Foundation in Southern California ^[6]
• Pet Project Rescue in the Twin Cities in Minnesota ^[7]
• AnimalKind in North Carolina ^[8]
• many, many others

Global effects

Dealing with a population of unwanted companion animals is a major concern to animal welfare and animal rights groups. Companion animal overpopulation can also be an ecological concern. It is also a financial problem: capturing, impounding and eventual euthanasia costs taxpayers and private agencies millions of dollars each year.^[9]

See also

• Overpopulation

References

External links

• National Council on Pet Population
• ASPCA Official Website
• Addressing the Problem of Pet Overpopulation: The Experience of New Hanover County Animal Control Services
• American Humane Association on pet overpopulation
• AnimalKind in NC