Overpopulation in companion animals

The phenomenon of overpopulation in companion animals refers to the large number of homeless domestic cats and dogs. In the United States alone, between 3 and 4 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year because no one volunteers to adopt them.^[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 and stray dogs and cats suffer from neglect and abandonment, deplorable living conditions, insufficient or nonexistent veterinary care, and substandard veterinary practices. Such animals are often victimized by people who treat them inhumanely, due to poverty, lack of knowledge of how to provide care, absence of animal welfare legislation and enforcement, apathy, personal beliefs, and intentional cruelty.^{[citation needed]}

Purebred preference

One contributing factor in companion animal homelessness is cultural preference for young, purebred animals. Many people prefer purebred, young, healthy animals, and choose to purchase animals of said description, often at significant cost, from breeders. That breeders continue to breed animals while animals are killed in shelters each year is a point of contention for many animal rights groups.

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.

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.^[2]

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]^{[dead link]}

See also

• Overpopulation

External links

• National Council on Pet Population
• ASPCA Official Website