by Brenda Nelson

Created on: April 04, 2009   Last Updated: January 13, 2012

There are no truly accurate statistics for the numbers of homeless pets. While we might know how many are in shelters, we cannot fathom how many are living in the shadows of our society, surviving on whatever they can, living feral, or wild, in unseen corners of the city, state, or country.

Every year shelters euthanize millions of homeless pets. In the USA alone, more than four million cats and dogs are euthanized every year as unwanted pets. Others are killed by their people who are tired of nuisance strays, or by owners who find themselves burdened with an other unwanted litter. Countless others suffer to die from starvation, disease, or by being victims of other hungry animals.

There is only one answer to how to end pet homelessness, and that is by spaying and neutering the pets already in our care. Building more shelters is not the answer. Having "no-kill" shelters is not the answer. Putting a pet into a foster home is not the answer. Shelter pets are still homeless.

As long as more pets are produced every year than there are homes wanting pets, there will always be a surplus of homeless pets.

A female cat can have two litters a year, with four kittens per litter, this means a pair of cats, can become ten in a years time. Given another year, and this number is now significantly higher because the kittens could potentially reproduce too. In only two years, you could have over one hundred cats.

Dogs are a problem too, larger breeds have larger litters, and are not as popular as smaller dogs are. However, at least more people keep their dogs in their yard, thus decreasing the numbers of unwanted litters. Large breed feral dogs though are creating real problems in areas where they have formed packs.

Owner education is the key, owners must understand that spaying and neutering is not only good for their pet (there are many positive health benefits) but is good for all pets. There is no reason to let a "cute" pet breed just to see what its offspring will look like. Every kitten or pup born that does find a home, simply means that one other did not get so lucky.

Reputable breeders are those who make sure their pets are breeding quality, they screen potential new owners prior to selling a pup or kitten. Additionally they will stand behind any offspring they produce. If the new owner has a problem with a pet, they are to return it to the breeder. Reputable breeders to not breed their pets until they have buyers lined up. As such reputable breeders never contribute

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