By Carmen Cheek

Vulp / AdobeStock
Over six million dogs and cats enter US animal shelters every year, and far too many of those shelters are overcrowded. Especially in southern states, animal shelters are forced to house multiple pets in the same cage or turn homeless pets away. Many shelters must resort to euthanization; each year, 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized.

What is fueling pet overpopulation and high euthanasia rates? Learn about the impacts of pet overpopulation and how you can help.

The causes of pet overpopulation

The driving force of pet overpopulation is irresponsible people and their common, yet harmful, practices, including:

• Not spaying or neutering pets:

In many communities, it is common for pet parents not to neuter or spay their dogs and cats, and these same people allow their pets to roam freely or dump them. According to the North Shore Animal League, just one unspayed female dog (and her litter) can produce up to 67,000 puppies in just six years. Because pets can produce an abundance of offspring quickly, overpopulation can happen rapidly if not managed, which is sadly the case in many areas in the country. By making the simple choice of spaying and neutering our pets, we can help combat pet overpopulation.

• Lack of education:

Some communities may not know about the advantages of shelter programs such as foster care, behavioral therapy, affordable spaying and neutering services, post-adoption training and help, trap-neuter-return, and the important role of volunteers. By implementing these overpopulation solutions, shelters can increase adoption rates, reduce intake, and decrease euthanasia rates.

The rise of the puppy mill

The U.S. Department of Agriculture encouraged farmers devastated by the Great Depression to breed animals, including puppies, as a new “cash crop” for the growing pet store market. That, combined with a general view of animals as disposable, overcrowded shelters by 1970, led to massive pet overpopulation and huge euthanasia rates.

The good news is that overpopulation and euthanasia numbers have decreased significantly in recent years. While still huge, we’ve certainly made a lot of progress since 1970. Thanks to a changing view of pets as part of the family. This has also spurred spay/neuter efforts, increased rescue and advocacy organizations, and increased legal action for animal cruelty.

The consequences of pet overpopulation

The primary consequence of pet overpopulation is, of course, the poor quality of life and outcomes for the excessive number of homeless pets themselves. That said, pet overpopulation also negatively affects humans in a couple of ways.

Cost

American taxpayers pay an estimated $2 billion annually for animal control, animal shelter maintenance, and euthanasia/disposal. This large sum of money could be used elsewhere for other important matters, such as affordable spay and neuter procedures or behavioral services. Instead, we use it to regulate this human-generated problem.

Disease

Stray pets are sometimes called “disease reservoirs” due to their likelihood of introducing diseases to surrounding wildlife. Rabies, toxoplasmosis, and canine distemper virus (CDV) are some of the most common diseases transmittable from pets. Disease transmission not only presents health hazards for native wildlife and surrounding animal populations, but also for humans. This is why it is important for us to provide our pets with necessary vaccines and to regulate where they roam.

Threat to wildlife

We often forget that man’s best friends are not native to most environments. Dogs are skilled hunters, and even small packs have the potential to prey on large numbers of local wildlife. This was proven in New Zealand, where one dog killed approximately 55% of the kiwi population within a six-week period. Dogs and cats introduced to a new environment only add to natural predation levels and result in some species of prey not being able to survive. These potential impacts can eliminate native populations and damage intact ecosystems if the problem is not addressed.

Pet overpopulation prevention

The high occupancy of animal shelters around the world shows that there is a lack of knowledge in proper pet care, community services, and understanding of the impacts of overpopulation. Pet sterilization, public awareness about pet overpopulation, and better education for pet parents are all needed to help solve this issue. But what can we do to help address pet overpopulation and the burdens it brings?

Donate

Donating to organizations combating pet homelessness is helpful since it augments these groups’ impact. Local shelters and rescues, humane societies, and spay/neuter organizations are great places to donate. In addition to funding housing pets, donations also go toward educational services to keep pets in their homes, such as pre-and post-adoption training, foster programs, and behavioral therapy.

Adoption

Adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue is a great way to offer a caring forever home to animals who may otherwise be left in overcrowded shelters or wandering the streets. When more pets are adopted, it reduces the pet overpopulation problem in animal shelters. This results in more resources and space for other animals in need, which in turn helps prevent overpopulation and reduce the burden on shelters. Adoption also decreases demand for mass breeding facilities such as backyard breeders and puppy mills.

Responsibility

Pet parents must learn how to responsibly care for their animals to help combat pet overpopulation. There are many considerations to think about before adopting a pet — from lifestyle, financial ability, and living situations. To be responsible, we can spay or neuter our pets. Pet parents also need to commit to care for their pets for their lifetime and provide them with quality care.

Pet overpopulation statistics

How many pets are euthanized each year?

Shelters around the United States euthanize an estimated 920,000 shelter animals each year.

How many dogs are euthanized in shelters each year?

An estimated 390,000 dogs are euthanized in shelters around the United States each year.

How many dogs are in the US?

There are over 76 million dogs estimated to be in the United States.

Do kill shelters still exist?

Unfortunately, kill shelters, or shelters that perform euthanasia for reasons beyond irreparable medical or dangerous behavioral issues, still exist.

How many no-kill shelters are in the US?

According to Best Friends Animal Society, approximately 57% of county shelters in the US are no-kill.

What states are no-kill states?

Delaware is the only fully no-kill state, while Vermont, Rhode Island, North Dakota, and New Hampshire have the smallest number of pets being euthanized. Texas, California, North Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana (and a number of other states) euthanize the most pets.

How long do animals stay in shelters before euthanized?

The length of time animals stay in shelters before being euthanized varies but can range from a few days to several weeks or months, depending on the shelter’s policies and the individual animal’s circumstances.

How long does the SPCA keep animals?

Each SPCA has its own policies regarding the length of time they keep shelter animals.

How many puppies come from puppy mills?

Puppy mills produce approximately 1.2 million puppies a year. The Humane Society estimates there are over 10,000 puppy mills in the US.

Are breeders regulated?

Breeders are subject to regulation, however, the Animal Welfare Act, which is the only federal law governing puppy mills, only requires that an animal be kept in a cage six inches longer than its body in any direction.

References

Animal Shelter Statistics

Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States

Is Wildlife Going to the Dogs?

Managing disease threats to wild mammals

Pet Statistics | Shelter Intake and Surrender

Pet Overpopulation 

Pets by the numbers

Dog Population & Dog Sheltering Trends in the United States of America

Ending Pet Homelessness

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Carmen Cheek is a graduate student at Miami University studying the impacts of dog overpopulation, a long-time pet sitter, and a kennel technician.

Caring for cats is a breeze, right? You keep their food dishes full, their litter boxes clean, and let them decide whether to snuggle or (more likely) not. While they may not require bathing or daily walks like dogs, cats still have distinct personalities and needs. That means the cute Calico in one cage at the shelter might need a much different living situation than the Maine Coon living in the adjacent cage.

“Cats have so many different nuances to their behavior,” says Caitlin Phillips, people and operations manager at Animal Rescue League of Boston. “To find the right fit for your lifestyle, ask lots of questions.” If you’re wondering where to get started, you aren’t alone. Read 10 questions to ask at a shelter or rescue before adopting a cat, so you can feel confident that you’ve left no stone unturned…

Read on The Wildest

My friend Kate called me the other evening in a panic, screaming, “there is a small white Terrier mix running around my neighborhood!” Being an animal lover herself, when she saw this little fellow running around, Kate immediately parked and got out of her car to try and catch him. Probably scared from the chase, confused from the streets, and perhaps a tad shy, the pup ran away and hid. Kate was beside herself for not being able to catch him and she suffered a long, tearful, sleepless night even after I tried to calm her down on our phone call. The next day, she saw him again. She wasn’t sure what to do or how to catch this pooch, but she knew that chasing him again would only result in him running away.

A friend told me about a local animal rescuer with much experience capturing and helping stray dogs. We reached out to him and asked for guidance. Below is a list of tips for what to do if you see a wandering dog in your area. I hope this encourages you to try and help lost or abandoned pets as a life on the streets is not an ideal life for them. There are many dangers that stray animals face such as oncoming cars, predatory animals like coyotes, or living sick, starving or injured without any proper care. Please help to get them off the streets and into safety!

Tip 1: Call Animal Control. Please call your local animal shelter and let them know the exact location of the dog so that they can come pick him up as soon as possible. By calling the authorities, you can follow up and visit the dog at the shelter once he or she is caught without having to try and catch the dog yourself.

Tip 2: Bring friends. If Animal Control can’t catch the dog or you decide you want to try, it’s best to do this with other people. Please only move forward with attempting to capture a lost dog if you understand and accept the risk that you and your friends could get bitten. Strays are often scared or timid and might bite out of fear or perceived threat to defend themselves. Having people with you is often the best way to successfully trap a stray but make sure everyone understands the concerns. Also, having at least one other person is recommended for protecting yourself as there is safety in numbers for both animals and people! Try getting in touch with local animal rescuers or trappers who may have more experience and invaluable wisdom to share.

Tip 3: Contained space. If you are trying to help catch a dog off the street and understand the risks, an effective strategy may be to lure the dog to an area or yard with a fence/gate so that you can shut off escape routes. By corralling the pup to a contained area, you can better ensure that there aren’t any escape opportunities. Verify that the yard has high enough walls and that there are no holes anywhere! By combining minds and forces and working together as a team with those helping you, you can better prevent the dog from darting away. If you cannot find a contained area nearby, try luring or leading him into an alley or space with only one entrance and exit and have another person there with you to block it with an opened up box or baby gate. Another option is to set up a feeding station in your own yard if you can, even if it is not contained, and then you can use a humane dog trap once a stray has become used to eating in your yard. This could be a way to build trust and gradually meet the dog.

Tip 4: Use food. The most important thing is to have high-value food on hand such as pieces of hot dog, wet canned food, or some kind of meat or meat treats. Usually the smellier and mushier, the better. Using food is commonly the only way way to lure a stray to safety. Make sure to give the food in tiny crumbs. Ideally you can use the pieces to lead the dog into the chosen yard or contained space. Remember to keep the pieces small! If you give a whole hot dog at once the pooch will likely get satisfied and run off. The key is that the lack of satiation and increase in temptation will very gradually allow you to coax the pup closer. Please make sure the dog seems friendly. It is not recommended that you try to lure or get close to an unfriendly animal. You can always call your local animal shelter to come catch the dog by providing location and any detailed information about the animal (i.e. what the dog looks like, what time(s) you usually seem him, etc.)

Tip 5: Be calm and prepared. If you catch the dog in a contained area or yard, try sitting down on the ground so you are at level and not towering over. Do not rush over and leash him or get close to him right away. Sprinkle treats around yourself and leave some pieces in your hand with your palm open. Turn your head so that you’re not looking the dog in the eyes, but from the side of your eyes. Staring right at a dog can be interpreted as a sign of aggression in the canine world, especially if you’re a stranger! So look away to convey a sign of peace. Have the leash out and limp in front of you and let the dog approach, eat, and hopefully also visit the treats in your hand. Give him time to get used to your smell and to the situation, and very gradually and slowly try to get a leash around him. Avoid sudden, jerky movements but you will want to be swift. Just remember to stay calm while you move. If the pup bears teeth, growls, lunges or tries to bite, please contact your local Animal Control and stop trying to catch him yourself!

If you are successful at catching a stray dog yourself, please be cautious and careful since this isn’t a pet you know well! You’ll want to immediately check for a collar and tag if you’re able to safely touch him, but if the dog isn’t wearing one, please take him to a nearby veterinarian or animal shelter so that they can check for a microchip. Hopefully you’ll be able to locate the owner and rejoice in the reunion of a family!  If this pup is not microchipped or identified in any way and you are able to temporarily care for the stray dog until she/he can find a permanent home, try creating a profile on Rehome! It’s a safe and reliable way to find a forever home for the stray you found! Once you create a profile, the cat will be posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of potential adopters to see!

As for Kate, she did end up catching that Terrier mix with the help of a few friends. His name is now Mikey, and he is loving life as part of her very own family! Lucky for him Kate not only spotted him but also did not give up until he was safe. Thank you for being the kind of person who doesn’t turn away when you see a lost animal roaming the streets. We appreciate your willingness to work with your local animal shelters, and how much you care about helping homeless pets!

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You might not think a template is needed for a lost pet flyer or found pet poster, as it is not a very technically complicated thing to create, but when you’ve just lost your pet and are in a panic, or are trying to figure out what to do with a pet you found, you might not be able to calmly figure out the best design for maximum impact. You just want to reunite a lost pet with a distraught and caring owner! You can also use the LOST templates to create a flyer *now* of your pets, so you aren’t frantically searching for a good photo — when you could be out searching for your lost pet. So we’ve created a very simple but effective LOST DOG or LOST CAT poster template that you can click to download and edit in Word, as well as a FOUND DOG or FOUND CAT poster templates in Word. We used our decades of experience working in animal shelters and seeing what works (and what can be dangerous) to create these simple and effective flyers for your free use.

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The FOUND posters are very simple, as it is best if you do not include a photo. You can edit the word “DOG” on the poster to CAT. Click to download Found Pet free Microsoft Word document:

Found-Pet-Poster-template.doc

Please read our Tips if you find a stray pet before re-homing a pet you’ve found, and you might also like to read  our FAQ answer for: “How can I find a home for a pet that I’ve rescued?“

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The LOST posters have a place for a photo, and you can add in the $ amount of the reward too. You can also edit the word “DOG” on the flyer to CAT or to the dog’s breed if a very well-known breed like Lab, Poodle, etc. Click to download Lost Pet free Microsoft Word document:

Lost-Pet-Poster-template.doc

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For helpful tips if you lost your pet, see our Lost Pet Guide.

Final tip: Petbond.com has a free online PDF flyer generator, which offers less edibility than our templates, but is a great way to make a good-looking printable Lost or Found Pet Flyer quickly and easily online.