Pet Overpopulation andEuthanasia

Overpopulation Statistics

Over 70 million feral cats in the U.S. 600 + million feral dogs World-wide 20% of people who adopted a dog from an

animal shelter will give up the pet to another shelter

65% of owners obtain their pet at free or low costs

http://www.wildlife-traps.com/dog.html

Statistics, continued 6-8 million cats

and dogs enter animal shelters each year

3-4 million are humanely euthanized

30 years ago 17 million were euthanized

http://www.cyprusvillagelink.com/images/Cat%20population%20growth.jpg

Contributing Factors Owner Neglect Pet abandonment Population Growth

1 cat, 3 litters/year, 4-5 kittens/litter In 7 years 1 cat can produce 420,000

kittens 1 dog within 6 years can contribute

67,000 pups (Idausa.org) Education!

http://www.askspikeonline.com/2009/01/12/spike-says-spay-or-neuter-your-dog/

Contributing Factors, continued

Irresponsible Breeding Backyard Breeders Puppy Mills

Choosing not to adopt Disposable Pets

http://www.dogtipper.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/chaseutleyPETA72-588x774.jpg

http://canine-world.com/images/puppymill15.jpg

Spay and Neuter 75% of pets in the U.S. are altered Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Low cost procedures

available Short recovery time Less health issues Behavior management

Studies show less likely to bite owners Less scent marking and mounting

http://btwactually.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/BobBarker.jpg

Spay and Neuter Alternatives

Suprelorin GnRH agonist implant

Richard FayrerHosken (CNN) Female sterilization vaccine

Different cultural views

http://www.virbac.es/p-virbacespubes/images/content/Productos/Animales_de_compania/AC_Suprelorin_large.jpg

Spay and Neuter Legislation

Only 30 states require adopted animals to be altered

New York City mandates all pets sold from pet stores to be spayed/neutered

Rhode Island requires all cats to be altered, unless breeding license is obtained

Euthanasia

“The term euthanasia is derived from the Greek terms eu meaning good and thanatos meaning

death. A “good death” would be one that occurs with minimal pain and distress” (AVMA).

Euthanasia

“It is our responsibility as veterinarians and human beings to ensure that if an animal’s life is to be taken, it is done with the highest degree of respect, and with an emphasis on making the death as painless and distress free as possible” (AVMA).

Types of Euthanasia Inhalant Non-Inhalant Pharmaceutical Agents Physical Methods

Different euthanasia techniques preferred for various species

Some forms aesthetically displeasing for companion animals

http://www.animallawcoalition.com/gas-chambers/article/1391

http://www.shopmania.com/garden-outdoors/p-cash-special-captive-bolt-stunner-gun-22-caliber-

standard-19235316

No Kill Shelters

Adoptable No behavioral defects 8 weeks of age or older Reasonably healthy

Unadoptable/Non-rehabilitatable Unsuitable temperament Extensive health issues

http://nathanwinograd.com/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/nokill-advocacycenter_logo.gif

“One way to think about the meaning of no-kill is to apply the same standard to an animal

shelter as you would to your own pet. Would you put your cat down if he had a

broken bone? What if your dog had kennel cough or separation anxiety? I don't think

most people would take their pet's lives for these conditions”

(Abolitionistapproach.com)

Resources600million.org. Web. 01 Sept. 2011. <http://www.600million.org/>.

"AnimalKind.org: Pet Overpopulation: The Facts." ANIMALKIND. Web. 01 Sept. 2011. <http://www.animalkind.org/pet_overpopulation.html>.

"AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia." June 2007. Web. 1 Sept. 2011. <http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/euthanasia.pdf>.

"Feral Cats: Frequently Asked Questions : The Humane Society of the United States." The Humane Society of the United States : The Humane Society of the United States. Web. 01 Sept. 2011. <http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats/qa/feral_cat_FAQs.html>.

"No Kill Now! Defining No-Kill." Web. 1 Sept. 2011. <http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/media/links/p11/no-kill.pdf>.

"Pet Overpopulation : The Humane Society of the United States." The Humane Society of the United States : The Humane Society of the United States. Web. 01 Sept. 2011. <http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/>.

"Pet Overpopulation." American Humane Association | Home. Web. 01 Sept. 2011. <http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/issues-information/pet-overpopulation.html>.

Pet Statistics. 2011. Web. 01 Sept. 2011. <http://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics.aspx>.

"Spaying Alternative on the Horizon for Pet Owners - CNN." Featured Articles from CNN. 28 Aug. 1998. Web. 01 Sept. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/1998-08-28/tech/9808_28_t_t_dog.spay.shot_1_spay-neutering-pet-owners?_s=PM:TECH>.

Questions? Comments?