| There are four key pillars which support a successful | | | | There is no scientific proof of the underlying cause of |
| animal welfare program: spay/neuter assistance | | | | pet over population but, arguably, the causes are |
| programs, adoption prevention and effective animal | | | | intuitive. A lack of resources to spay and neuter |
| welfare legislation. ASPCA statistics indicate 880 | | | | one's pet seems to be a leading cause of this issue. |
| innocent animals perish every minute of every day in | | | | Petsmart charities recently released a study (click |
| our nation's kill shelters. That is over five million | | | | HERE) which indicates that approximately 25 percent |
| animals each year. Steps must be taken to stop the | | | | of the human population lacks the resources to pay |
| slaughter of innocents. | | | | for the surgery. According to the Humane Society of |
| ADOPTION IS THE BEST OPTION | | | | the United States, the average number of litters a |
| Please adopt a pet, rather than purchasing a pet | | | | fertile cat can produce is three per year with each |
| from a breeder. According to ASPCA statistics, nearly | | | | yielding four to six kittens. The average number of |
| 40 percent of the animals in shelters are purebred. | | | | litters a dog produces is two per year with each |
| There is no shortage. Consequently, you can save a | | | | producing six to ten puppies. If we consider these |
| life and pay a fraction of the cost for the same | | | | averages apply to each of the kittens and puppies |
| animal which will likely be spayed and neutered, | | | | born to these litters, the results are staggering! |
| vaccinated and tested for heartworms, parasites and | | | | Animal welfare foundations need to turn their |
| other diseases. You won't receive that offer from a | | | | attention toward funding spay/neuter clinics and, |
| breeder. If you are not showing your purebred pet, | | | | "S.N.A.P" programs. SNAP programs provide the |
| there really is no reason for AKC certification. Also, | | | | financial resources for spay and neuter surgery for |
| consider adopting a mixed breed dog or cat. Mixed | | | | individuals who require assistance. Foundations must |
| breed pets tend to have far fewer health issues. | | | | provide funding for the acquisition of rental properties |
| Lastly, if you are interested in saving a life, please | | | | or to purchase a property in which to house a clinic. |
| consider adopting pets that are difficult to re-home. | | | | A brick and mortar clinic that employees two |
| Adult pets make good family members. You know | | | | veterinarians can spay and neuter approximately |
| what you are getting from the start. Often, you may | | | | 17,000 dogs and cats per year, per the, "Humane |
| not know how large or what personality your | | | | Alliance" model of spay/neuter surgery. Currently, |
| adopted puppy or kitten will have until he or she is | | | | only Petco, PetSmart and the DJ & T Foundation |
| grown. Your children will love the adult pet just as | | | | fund clinics. Of these foundations, only Petco and DJ |
| much and you needn't worry about constant | | | | & T provide any funding for renovations or |
| supervision of the baby animal and your children. | | | | procurement of a facility to house a clinic. In this |
| Animal welfare organizations engaged in the adoption | | | | economy, more foundations should step up to |
| of dogs should consider implementing a, "Save and | | | | provide this much needed funding. |
| Train" adoption program. St. Seton's has always | | | | Other Preventative Programs |
| rescued all breeds of dogs so, I will speak only to | | | | Many animals end up in shelters due to a lack of |
| dog adoption. Statistics put forth by the Humane | | | | resources, especially in this recession. St. Seton's |
| Society of the United States and the ASPCA indicate | | | | implemented a pet food bank to help the elderly, |
| that 95 - 96 percent of dogs are surrendered due to | | | | hospice patients, disabled and those who are just |
| behavioral issues. Our experience confirms this finding. | | | | down on their luck. Disenfranchised groups, especially |
| When this organization was formed, our return rate | | | | the elderly, rely heavily on the companionship of their |
| was over 40 percent. We felt we were trying to | | | | pets. We added veterinary care to this program and, |
| plug a leaky dam. We implemented a Save N' Train | | | | ultimately, this care became a separate program |
| program. All adult dogs who exhibit behavioral issues | | | | called, "The Lifeline Program." While there is no |
| are trained by foster/trainer. We also worked hard | | | | statistical data to prove these programs prevent pet |
| to match families with the personalities of their dogs. | | | | euthanasia, our experience documents its success. |
| If the family was somewhat sedate, we matched | | | | We received countless calls requesting surrender to |
| them with a sedate dog. Active families were | | | | our no kill adoption program. People were distraught |
| matched with active dog. The program has been in | | | | over the loss of employment and/or their homes due |
| operation for seven years. Our return rate dropped | | | | to foreclosure. They could not afford to feed |
| to less than one percent. The small number of dogs | | | | themselves, much less their beloved pet. With |
| returned was due to a reason other than the dog. In | | | | referrals to human charities and our support, they |
| December 2008, our adoption program received an | | | | were able to improve their situation which, in turn, |
| award from the prominent Maddie's fund. | | | | enabled them to keep their pets. |
| Sadly, adoption, in and of itself is not the solution. | | | | EFFECTIVE ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION |
| There are five times as many puppies and kittens | | | | We desperately need laws, nationwide, that mandate |
| born each day as there are humans. These numbers | | | | spay/neuter of pets not licensed for show. This |
| are staggering. While it is critical for animal welfare | | | | legislation must be coupled by reasonably priced |
| charities to save as many of these orphans as | | | | resources to acquire spay/neuter surgery. Local |
| possible, it can resemble trying to empty the ocean | | | | governments must consider partnering with animal |
| with a teaspoon. Consequently, other measures are | | | | welfare organizations to implement spay/neuter clinics |
| needed to combat the epidemic of pet over | | | | and resources for their community. The wholesale |
| population problem in our nation today. | | | | slaughter is NOT an acceptable means to manage |
| SPAY AND NEUTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS | | | | pet overpopulation. |
| The only way to we can become a, "no kill" nation is | | | | CONCLUSION |
| to spay and neuter our pets religiously. The | | | | It brings us our organization a great deal of joy to |
| prevention of the birth of unwanted litters of kittens | | | | help people and their pets. We are all part of a |
| and puppies is the prevention of needless death of | | | | community. If we each reach out to lend a hand, |
| unwanted animals. It really is that simple. What is not | | | | that improves everyone's quality of life. |
| simple is the underlying cause of pet over population. | | | | |