Too Many Animals on Earth

        There is a surplus of companion animals such as cats and dogs throughout the world.  This is a major issue which needs to be solved.  According to the article “Companion Animal Overpopulation” by PETA, “Every year in the U.S., an estimated 6 to 8 million lost, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats enter animal shelters” (peta.org).  Many of these animals need to be euthanized, put down, to avoid overcrowding in these animal shelters.

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com 

 

According to the article “Companion Animal Overpopulation: What You Can Do” by the Georgia SPCA, there are multiple reasons why companion animals are overpopulated.  The reasons they give are as follows.

1.     Biology

2.     Commercial breeding

3.     Lost and abandoned animals

4.     And social attitudes.

This list can be found at the Georgia SPCA website http://www.georgiaspca.org/qa-idausa-pet-overpopulation.

      Commercial breeding includes places like puppy mills that feel the need to breed “purebred” dogs to make a profit.  This is a major contributor to the overpopulation problem because for every animal bred and sold there is an animal in a shelter losing a home.  Also, “Approximately one-quarter of the dogs in shelters are purebreds who were originally purchased and then abandoned” (georgiaspca.org).  As if there are not enough animals in shelters, people lose interest in dogs and cats once they get older, and become more of a hassle to take care of even though they have been loyal to the family.  So they decide to get rid of them instead of sticking by their side the way they stuck by the family’s side.

      This brings me into my next issue about lost and abandoned pets.  If the owners of animals would take the little bit of time and money to buy a collar and tags or implant a microchip for tracking, many of the lost dogs would find their way back home.  “One out of every five animal companions becomes lost at some point in their lives. Of these, only 16% of dogs and about 2% of cats are ever recovered by their guardians” (georgiaspca.org).  These are horrible statistics to look at if you ever have loved a pet, but it is the truth.

      There are many ways to help these animals and reduce the overpopulation of pets.  These include:

1.     Spay and neuter animal companions

2.     Adopt animals from shelters

3.     Keep animal companions safe

4.     Volunteering at animal shelters.

The first solution to this problem is spaying and neutering pets.  It does not cost that much many when you look at the cost of raising another litter of animals.  Next, when looking to buy another animal, look at shelters first.  Most of the animals in shelters come from disorganized homes and would love to live with a family who loves him. I own two dogs which came from a shelter.  These are some of the best dogs I have owned.  Lastly, I urge those of you who do not have the time or money to raise and take care of an animal to volunteer at an animal shelter.  I have spent multiple hours walking dogs at shelters in my area.  They love to be with someone, if only for a little bit of time, who will walk and play with them. 

Help the world by making good choices about your animals, and help reduce the overpopulation of companion animals.

Works Cited

“Companion Animal Overpopulation.” peta.org. PETA. Web. 29 Nov. 2013.

“Companion Animal Overpopulation: What You Can Do.” Georgiaspca.org. Georgia SPCA.

Web. 29 Nov. 2013.