Believe it or not the pet population is twice that of the number of people in the US. Recent studies have come up with the following data pronouncing pet population as pet overpopulation.
  • 50,000 puppies and kittens are born each day
  • There's a ration of 1 pet with a home: 4 who are abandoned, abused and neglected.
  • An average of a almost 100 dogs find themselves in shelters within a single day
  • Every year 30% to 60% of these animals have to be destroyed
  • Euthanizing pets is a last recourse since shelters have no means to support an estimated 40-60 million animals
  • Only a small percentage of pets are successfully adopted by families
The facts are startling, but true. Pet overpopulation is said to be the cause of pet abandonment and abuse since pet owners don't take their responsibility seriously. The cause of over population is simple, pet owners are not having their pets spayed or neutered. It is not startling that pets procreate and do it at a prolific rate. In fact, a population of 420,000 cats is derived in 7 years from just 1 female cat and her offspring…female dogs and her offspring on the other hand produce 67,000 pups in just 6 years.

Most times, reluctance to spay and neuter pets rise from misconceptions, misplaced pity and blind acceptance of pet ownership. What is worse, there are defiant pet owners who refuse this practice since it is costly and it is convenient to just abandon the unwanted offspring. A common misconception among many pet owners is that their pets will get lazy and fat when they spayed or neutered. This amuses veterinarians since it is not scientifically based or proven. In almost every case, obesity in pets is in the hands of the owners since proper pet care means making sure your pet exercises daily. The only way to find out about the effects of spaying and neutering is to consult a veterinary professional and not the town gossip.

Just recently in the news, volunteers of a shelter found a total of a 1000 pets. Abandonment of pets or its offspring doesn't surprise them at all. It is common since pet owners think by not handing these pets to shelters means "saving " them from euthanasia. They just find the heart to release these pets in the wild! This misplaced pity only contributes to the problem and it doesn’t even save the pets life in the majority of cases.

Just like the newest pc, cell phone and I-pods pets are treated like an accessory that is expendable when the novelty wears off. Numerous are the stories of "pet owners" not providing their pet with proper care. This blind acceptance of pet ownership is truly a form of cruelty to animals. An animal that is domesticated relies on their owners for proper care, nutrition and love. To discard these animals because they are no longer popular is a travesty.

To control pet overpopulation, the government and state legislation are creating requirements for owners to comply with rabies vaccination, spaying and neutering in order to register and apply for a pet's license. Non-profit groups do their share by offering free spaying and neutering while Animal Control sponsors cheap rabies vaccinations. With all the options given to pet owners, it's a wonder how overpopulation still happens. If you are not a registered, full time breeder, be responsible and get your pet spayed or neutered.

This article is brought to you by Pet Super Store a site featuring dog ramps, dog training collars and other pet accessories.