Why does America have such an outrageous pet over-population crises?!!?

Question

I asked a rhetorical question. I know why. I am so furious with America's ignorance with this issue. Did you know that on average, 2,009 dogs and cats die every hour in this country? You do the math. People think dogs are dispensable. People think that spaying and netuering will do more harm than good, when really, there is nothing farther from the truth. We keep producing all these extra animals that we do not have enough homes for. I work in a rescue, and people give me the most lamest excuses for having to surrender. "It's just not working out". ****.
And do not even get me started on designer dogs!! Shame on anyone who breeds or buys one of these dogs. They are not hypoallergenic, all dogs have dander. These are purposely bred mutts, just for profit. I think those who breed these dogs ought to go to jail or at least have their heads examined.
America needs a major overhaul. We need a mandatory spay and neuter program. Only registered studs/bitches should be bred.

Answer 1

I couldn't agree with you more!! People who are not responsible and don't give a rat's *** about their pets are the ones who don't get them fixed or spayed. And if you want a pet, go to the local shelter or Humane Society instead of going to a breeder. Why pay hundreds of dollars if you can buy one for $25 and save a life too? Just because it's a purebred doesn't mean it's going to be a better pet. In fact, purebreds have more things wrong with them than mutts do. And it's not just dogs either. It's cats too. So I totally agree with you and think that there should be some kind of spay and neuter program.

Answer 2

I agree with a mandatory spay & neuter programs, but it should extend into registered dogs as well. The problem is that right now anybody with a 'papered' dog thinks they should breed the dog. Spend an afternoon on here. Here's a typical post:

I'm ready to breed my Great Dane. She's beautiful & very nice. People tell me they think she's pretty. Can you tell me about a stud service for her? She's AKC, so I don't want to hear that she shouldn't be bred. How much should I sell the puppies for?

or

My cat is having her third litter and she's an outdoor cat. I think she might be sick. What should I do? She's really pretty and I just can't bear the thought of "loosing" (sic) her.

And there's the problem. Just because a dog is papered, it does not mean that they should be bred. So, spay & neuter should be mandatory for any "pet" quality animals, or animals who are not actively showing.

Just because a cat is a great pet doesn't mean that s/he shouldn't be fixed.

People don't realize that breeding their animals is a privledge that comes with massive responsibilities, not a right. And buyers refuse to educate themselves before purchasing an animal and tell anyone who offers them information that they are "stupid", "evil", "rude", and should mind their own business.

Answer 3

It's not really a pet overpopulation problem, but rather a pet retention problem. While there are puppies in shelters, there are no where near the amount of adults in shelters. If there was truly a pet overpopulation problem, there would be far more puppies in shelters.

Also, did you know, especially in the northeast, that some shelters are importing dogs from other countries and other parts of the US? These shelters actually have a shortage of animals.

When you look at the "official" numbers of pets being euthanized each year, you have to look at the real statistics. Not all animals are euthanized because there are to many in shelters, but rather some are pts because they are adoptable for a bunch of reasons. They can be to old, to sick, their behavior or owner requested.

This is something that the groups such as Peta, HSUS and various shelters will not tell you. They would rather say that they are all put to sleep because there are way to many in shelters. This is simply just not true! These groups, especially Peta and HSUS have an agenda. That agenda is the extinction of the domesticated animal. They want everyone to neuter, neuter and neuter some more. They do not want people keeping pets. they feel they are oppressed.

Here is a link to a video I watched today. It's mainly about Breed Specific Legislation, but it shows Peta and in reality all Animal Rights groups for what they really are and what their true agenda is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap1XvRCZX9Y&mode=related&search=

pharfly1, then you don't understand the difference between a overpopulation problem and a retention problem. If there are puppies in a shelter, then fine, it's an overpopulation problem, but to say that just one is an overpopulation problem is wrong.

Most dogs are in shelters because their owner couldn't retain them for whatever reason. So what do we do about it? Educate owners. Most owners give up their dogs because of behavior issues. So time should be spent and showing people how to deal with the issue of behavior in their dog.

I worked in a shelter, a spay/neuter clinic of all places. I seen what goes on and why owners give up their pets. So I am not making this stuff up.

Answer 4

registered studs /bitches don't mean quality animal; every pup in pet store is registered and most come from puppy mills so registered dogs don't mean a thing to me; if something goes sour, the owner just doesn't register that litter so a dog can have even more litters than registered and no one would know; just look at the questions here in this forum; I just bought a pup one day and want to give it back; I bought a pup and will crate it 9 hours a day; when my dog had pups, I screened and declined some 30 people; with all kinds of issues; my uncle use to kick my dogs when he visits; my dog had so many broken bones from falling down stairs , off the bed; looking for a pup to train my pit bull; want one for my 2 year old etc; most people don't care and let these maniacs have a dog only to get bored, frustrated and turn them in; I had a no question asked policy and would take them back; I keep in contact with all the dog owners who now have become friends; there is a right way and a wrong way ; when it becomes unacceptable to treat an animal with cruelty and when stiff sentences come down, America will wake up ; would you want your neighbor turning you in? There is no profit in breeding the right way, trust me I know; not to mention the amount of time; our pups were housetrained; crate trained; leash trained; sit, down and knew how to patiently wait for a treat; they were socialized; allow to explore, and had great dispositions to make it easier on the new owner and ultimately easier for them. They got a bag of their food, toys that they played with for scent, leash , collar , shots, wormed, items with the mom's scent and the opportunity to come back at any time and visit and they did. The pup owners share pictures, stories etc with each other ; breeding can be down right by the right people and that is the problem. We didn't breed her until she was 2; waited for the right heat cycle so the pups would be born in spring so they would be able to be trained in good weather; screened the stud; second litter was 2 years later and that's it. The pups were raised in the house with us and they were our life for 9 weeks , 24 x 7, we knew their personality and informed owners so it would be a good fit.

Answer 5

Well, I feel I am doing my part. Or to be more accurate, I am facilitating the actions of my cat. My cat, Psycho Bit*** is a very effective animal control operative. Just last week she cleared the neighborhood of all cats within a 2 block area, made 4 dogs leave home, wiped out the chickens and 2 roosters from my idiot next-door neighbors back yard, and slapped down 4 JW folkes trying to sell me some magazine. I feel that letting her out for only an hour or two a day is more than enough contribution on my part.

Answer 6

I like shelter pups better anyway. Kinda nice knowing you rescued one from being euthanized or living a miserable life in a cage. My babies are part of my family, they are absolutely NOT dispensable. If something happened to one of them, that would be just as bad as losing a human family member. I agree with the mandatory spay/neuter program as well.

Answer 7

MANY dogs are bred because they are wandering the streets. How about if AC just enforced their local LEASH laws instead of passing yet more selectively enforced laws that mainly hurt good breeders! The numbers in shelters would drop drastically and so would the number of dog attacks!

MSN DOES NOT WORK!!! LOOK AT LA!!! They make it next to impossible for people to breed and then wonder why they have such a problem with sickly Mexican puppies smuggled in.
WELL, DUH!!! Do you think it is fair that show/hobby breeders have to hide out with their dogs like they are common criminals because your average pet owners are too STUPID or too LAZY to manage their animals???

Do you REALLY think the uncaring, irresponsible owners will run right in to comply??? How about the thugs, think THEY'LL be trotting right in???

Go after the REAL problem, irresponsible owners who don't bother to manage their animals, and keep your anti-dog laws OFF MY DOGS!!! If you want to help, get AC to ENFORCE leash laws!!!

Good post Nanook!

Answer 8

I agree with you 100% I live in Canada and 80% of animals that end up in shelters get put to sleep! I use to be the one who held them down and deposed of the bodies! I think there should be a law to all those who want to breed, they should have to spend a month at a shelter and help with euthinizing, then they would know what really happens to the puppies they bring into this world! I found a sad video that is what really goes on in a shelter here it is : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bpDE6Vx_QU&mode=user&search=

Here is another one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYBz2gjlEfA&mode=related&search=

Answer 9

Read the posts to this list and you'll see an array of boneheads who want to breed their dogs for all the wrong reasons. If these folks represent a cross section of American dog owners, then I think that answers your question.

Answer 10

just b/c a dog has been registered doesn't mean the owner will not over breed and cause tons of unwanted pets!!! i also think there should be a limit on how many times you can breed a reg. dog!!! like only 3 times & then you have to fix them!!! only fixing mixed dogs is not going to solve the problem!! how can you blame it on only mixed dogs?? besides it has nothing to do with the dogs, it's irasposibly owners who cause all this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok i change my mine! have them fixed after 1 litter! that utube movie made me cry!!!!!!!