Pet overpopulation is a serious problem

It's not a virus and it's not a bacterium, but it is responsible for the deaths of millions of animals annually. This disease does not discriminate. It strikes dogs and cats, kittens and puppies, purebreeds and mixed breeds.... it is pet overpopulation, and it is the biggest problem facing animal shelters today.

Pet overpopulation is a serious problem

You may have seen this killer at work on a local level. A neighbor's free-roaming cat mates with a stray tom. And now your neighbor wants to know if you would like a kitten. The lady down the block thinks she can make some money if she breeds her golden retriever with the cute one in the dog run, but she can't even give the pups away. Or perhaps you see someone dump a healthy-looking dog on the side of the road and drive away.

Let's say that all these animals are brought to your local shelter: one or two lucky ones get adopted, but there are not enough homes for the rest of them – and more animals with similar stories come in every day. To make room for incoming dogs and cats, many animals must be euthanized. Multiply this scenario countless times at shelters across the country.

Getting a pet spayed or neutered prevents overpopulation

Shelters often get blamed for the deaths of these animals, but pet overpopulation is a disease introduced by irresponsible humans: owners who didn't have their animals spayed or neutered and allowed them to breed, for example, or owners whose pets became lost and were unreturnable because they didn't have proper identification.

Unfortunately, aspects of this disease are poorly understood. The number of animals euthanized annually runs in the millions. Nationwide efforts to educate people on the importance of spay/neuter are making a difference, and the root causes of pet overpopulation are being investigated by a group of humane organizations known as the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy. The Council is researching the origins and disposition of pets in the United States. The data will then be used to formulate strategies to reduce surplus numbers of dogs and cats and promote responsible pet ownership.

Preventing pet overpopulation is in your hands

Individuals can help fight this disease, too. Have your pet spayed or neutered, and keep your cats safe at home. Do not allow your dog to roam unsupervised.

Are your pets outfitted with ID tags? You should also consider a more permanent form of identification, such as tattooing or microchipping. Consider volunteering your time at a local animal shelter. There are all sorts of ways to help, from handing out spay/neuter literature to assisting potential adopters pick a pet who will be a friend for life. And some individuals have even started their own grassroots groups to battle pet overpopulation in their own towns. These dedicated volunteers rescue stray animals, have them spayed or neutered and work with other humane organizations to get them adopted into good homes.