by Sandra Goodwin

Created on: March 26, 2009   Last Updated: March 30, 2009

The very first thing we can do as individuals to control pet overpopulation is to not allow our pets to breed. Spay and neuter cats and dogs. It will not only keep more unwanted pets from being born, spaying and neutering can prevent mammary and testicular cancer in our pet's later years. Sterile female pets will not suffer through heat cycles and males will tend to have fewer aggression issues with other males and have less of a tendency to leave home in search of females in heat.

Many shelters and humane societies offer low cost spay and neuter clinics. Check with you local agencies to see if they do and if not, what would need to be done to set one up. Raising money for such an endeavor is an excellent way to get the community involved and bring awareness to the problem. Kids, especially, will like the idea that they are helping animals. Maybe your child could turn it into a class project with a bake sale or car wash. Talk to your veterinarian about donating one morning a month of his/her time to spay and neuter pets for people who cannot afford it otherwise. Many DVMs would like to see pet overpopulations reduced and are willing to do their part.

Education is another key factor in reducing the number of pets. Talk to people who want to let their pet have that one litter about the cost and health risks that may occur. If all does not go well the dollars spent on an emergency visit to the veterinarian can run in the hundreds and losing mom or the babies can be heartbreaking. Where will these new pets find homes? How will they know if the puppy or kitten they raised and came to love will be well cared for?

Inform those looking to add a pet to their family that buying from a pet shop is furthering puppy mill businesses. A business that breeds without caring about the health of the parents and houses the animals inhumanely. Puppy mills add thousands of dogs to our pet population each year.

There are many resources available to folks looking for a new family pet; shelters, humane societies, petfinder. Breed rescues are widespread and can help a person decide if that particular breed is a good match for them. Older dogs or cats make wonderful companions and you can skip the headaches of housebreaking and chewing the furniture. These animals know you have given them a special family of their own.

We can each make an effort to not add to the problem of pet overpopulation but making an impact of what others do requires patience, time and dedication. The task may seem insurmountable but every single pet you either help find a loving home or keep from being bred makes a difference to them.

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