The Facts
Every year 6 to 8 million animals are dumped into shelters and of this number less than half will ever have a second chance at life. Around 56% of dogs and 71% of cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized, with only 25% of dogs and an even smaller percentage of cats being adopted (Swan). According to Cornett, this problem of disposable animals’ starts with irresponsible breeding and uneducated pet owners. Many people believe that the best animals are purebred and the only way to acquire one is through a breeder or pet store. What most people don’t know is that 25% of animals in shelters are purebred (The Humane Society of the United States). Many breeders called backyard breeders, driven by greed, take advantage of this and breed animals that are in high demand at very outrageous prices. As a result of their poor breeding the animals often develop major health problems along the road and with many pet owners finding illness and disease as an inconvenience they ultimately find themselves left unwanted.
3 to 6 million animals are
euthanized every year in shelters across the United States.
Here's something to think about:
About 5 million pets are euthanized every year
Divide 5,000,000 by 365 to find out how many pets are killed each day
About 13,698.63 pets are killed each day
Divide 13,698.63 by 24 to find out how many pets are killed each hour
About 570.776 pets are killed each hour
Divide the number of pets killed per hour by 60 to find out how many
pets are killed per minute
About 9.51 pets are killed each minute
Divide 9.51 by 60 to find out how many pets are killed per second -
that total is 0.15855
There are many reasons why pets find themselves in shelters and rescues some have been picked up off the streets where they had been fending for their lives being chased by kids, picking for scraps of food and risking being poisoned or worse, others have been turned over, a family no longer wanting to deal with them, some are victims of divorce and life change but all deserve another chance. Rescuing a pet is a much better idea than purchasing one for a variety of reasons. For one it is less expensive to adopt a pet than to buy one from a breeder. Want a purebred? There are a number of rescues for every breed of cat and dog and all offer reasonable adoption fees which cover full health care and variety of other things that benefit the cause (Pawsperous Pets). If you would rather adopt from a shelter 25% of shelter animals are purebred and all cost 25% less than buying them from a breeder and again all the proceeds go to the animals. Is a $50 fee too much to ask for a life-long companion? I think not, these animals’ have been through enough they deserve to have food, water, a warm bed at night and a loving family, it’s the least we can do.