Is there an overpopulation of pets?

Overpopulation in domestic pets is the surplus of pets, such as cats, dogs, and exotic animals. In the United States, six to eight million animals are brought to shelters each year, of which an estimated three to four million are subsequently euthanized, including 2.7 million considered healthy and adoptable.

Is pet overpopulation a problem?

Animal overpopulation is a BIG problem. Pet overpopulation has severe social, ethical and financial implications and is particularly tragic because it is preventable.

How do you solve pet overpopulation?

5 Things You Can Do to Reduce Pet Overpopulation

DON’T INTENTIONALLY BREED YOUR PET There are enough animals that need homes without adding more.
SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PET Spay and neuter will reduce the number of animals that enter municipal shelters by reducing the number of unwanted pets.

What animals are overpopulated?

Overpopulation can threaten our biodiversity. Just ask the Argentinians, whose country is being overrun by beavers!

Australia: Kangaroos.
China: Dogs.
United States: White tailed deer.
Worldwide: Jellyfish.
England: Badgers.
Canada: Cats.
South Africa: Elephants.
Argentina: Beavers.

What causes pet overpopulation?

One of the main causes of overpopulation is over breeding. Over breeding can lead to many health problems that are distinctive of the breed; if a dog has a genetic disposition, chances are that it will be passed onto it’s puppies. Another cause of overpopulation is not spaying/neutering your pet.

How does pet overpopulation affect humans?

The Human Toll of Pet Overpopulation Yet, it can have long-term consequences for their mental health. Their suicide rate is equal to that of firefighters and police officers. Other symptoms they may experience include compassion fatigue, substance abuse, sleeplessness and depression.

How many animals are put down due to overpopulation?

Each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats). Approximately 2.7 million shelter animals are adopted each year (1.4 million dogs and 1.3 million cats). About 649,000 animals that enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners.

What are the cons of overpopulation?

Human overpopulation is among the most pressing environmental issues, silently aggravating the forces behind global warming, environmental pollution, habitat loss, the sixth mass extinction, intensive farming practices and the consumption of finite natural resources, such as fresh water, arable land and fossil fuels.

What is the cost of overpopulation on pets?

Aside from the national and local economic burden of overpopulation, the personal expense for a pet owner over the pet’s lifetime can be reduced if a pet is spayed or neutered, and the cost of a pregnant female and her litter can be much higher than the cost of spaying her. In 2016, taxpayers will fund more than $2.5 million for animal services.

Is there an overpopulation of companion animals in the US?

Animal Companion Overpopulation. Every year in the U.S., more than 6 million lost, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats enter animal shelters. Some of these dogs and cats are lucky enough to be adopted into loving, responsible, and permanent homes.

How can I help stop the overpopulation of animals?

Educate your children, friends, family members and co-workers about pet overpopulation, adoption and the importance of spaying and neutering. You can help stop generations of suffering. Have your female pet spayed and your male pet neutered.

How many pets are euthanized each year in the United States?

About 7.6 million unwanted pets enter U.S. animal shelters every year, and about 2.7 million of them are euthanized—roughly 31 percent of dogs and 41 percent of cats, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( www.aspca.org ). Cats and dogs are our pets, yet frequently they are treated as disposable commodities.

Is there an overpopulation of pets? Overpopulation in domestic pets is the surplus of pets, such as cats, dogs, and exotic animals. In the United States, six to eight million animals are brought to shelters each year, of which an estimated three to four million are subsequently euthanized, including 2.7 million considered healthy and adoptable.…