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The End is in Sight - The Five Year Plan

I'm a big fan of the "five year plan" - a medium-range strategy to solve a seemingly insurmountable problem. I believe that by taking the right steps, getting everyone involved and by setting sensible deadlines, with the right commitment, any problem, including the problem of animal homelessness, can be solved. (I'm a bit "Crazy Eddie" too.)

And I believe that if everyone who has anything to do with animals works together, concentrating on just three areas of the problem, we could end animal homelessness in just five years. Here's how:

1) A Moratorium on Breeding

If all breeders - official 'proper' AKC members, puppy mills and backyard breeders - would stop letting their animals reproduce, even every other "cycle", the number of available animals would drop dramatically. People looking for a new puppy or kitten could be encouraged to turn to shelters or breed rescue groups, adopting older animals in need of a good home.

Good breeders don't create litters to make money - they often loose money - their major concern is creating good puppies and maintaining good bloodlines. While I'm not a huge fan of purebred dogs, having spoken with breeders, I can understand their point of view. I can also believe they would be valuable allies in this effort, if approached correctly.

- The Problem:

Backyard breeders, puppy mills and irresponsible owners all need to be convinced that what they are doing is no longer economically or legally viable.

- The Solution:

Education, taxation and fines are the only way these people will be convinced - AND if potential owners stop buying or taking the puppies and kittens produced. The AKC and breed clubs must take an active role too, by not giving carte blanche registration to anyone breeding dogs with papers - only genetically sound animals should be registered and given proper papers and registration. The creation of new unofficial breeds like cocka-poos and labra-doodles should be discouraged as well.

2) EVERY Pet Spayed or Neutered

If everyone responsible for an cat or dog had their animal spayed or neutered (apart from proper AKC registered owners), unwanted litters would soon be a thing of the past. In most areas, a spayed or neutered animal's yearly license is less expensive but this is only a start. More education and more incentive is going to be necessary.

- The Problem:

Many people love their animals, but think they can't afford or they won't take the time to have their pets fixed. In many areas

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