Millions of animals are killed in shelters each year. How does that make you feel?

Question

Just curious to hear opinions. I am horrified by waht happens to animals. I grew up in foster homes, and im glad that i wasnt put to sleep like an animal is. I think less tax money should go to felone's in prison, and the tax money should go to the animals to get them neutered/spayed.

Answer 1

I'm surprised to hear people say repeatedly that only sick and dangerous animals die in shelters.
A lot of shelters, those who are not no-kill, have a timeframe in which the animals have to be adopted and if they are not by the date set, perfectly healthy animals will die, BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS THEM.
That's why I get so mad when there are so many people, and I know lots of them are kids, are asking questions about breeding their pets in here, because babies are sooooooooo cute and maybe they can sell them. Heck, there are so many out there, in most cases you cannot give them away, especially since you do not have any information on their lineage in a lot of cases.
Do not breed. Just because you can, does not mean you should.
ADOPT ONE 'TIL THERE IS NONE!

I run a frequent sweep of petfinder and the local ads for homeless ferrets. That's how I ended up with four of them and I love them.

Answer 2

It's tragic, but true- an estimated 20 to 30 MILLION unwanted animals die or are euthanized every year in this country's animal shelters. Most of these animals are animals which no one wants, or animals which have been abandoned, gotten loose, run away, or which have been horrendously mistreated and abused. I used to work in a no-kill shelter, and roughly two thirds of the animal population there were dogs which were either pitt bulls or pitt mixes. No one ever will adopt animals like that- not with the terrible reputation that this breed has. Too many people have heard far too many horror stories about this breed to ever make them adoptable, no matter how friendly or sweet the individual dog is. Eventually, all of those animals are going to meet the same tragic fate that most animals in shelters meet- the needle. One of the other writers is correct when she says that many shelters have time limits imposed on how long an animal will be left alive. When I lived in the Atlanta area a few years ago, that time limit was 48 hours for adult dogs and cats, and 72 hours for pups and kittens. If no one claimed or adopted the animal in that time, it was destroyed. This was because in the 9 county metro Atlanta area alone, it was estimated by the authorities that there were something like half a million unwanted animals roaming loose. I haven't been back since I moved away, but something tells me things haven't improved much there.

We live in a throw away society- when we decide we don't want something anymore, or we use it up, we throw it out. The way we treat pets and companion animals is very heartbreaking to see- we wouldn't treat our kids that way, but because some of us think that animals have no soul and no feelings, it's okay to do bad things to them. Then there are those who go through life thinking that the world owes them a living, and that they are entitled to make a quick buck however and wherever they can. These are the nuts who end up running the puppy and kitten mills which supply most of the nation's pet shops. Stopping the overbreeding of animals by requiring licensing and education of potential breeders is a good first step towards a solution, but it is also only a partial one. The biggest thing we could do is make spaying and neutering of companion animals mandatory and required by law, the way the wearing of seatbelts is required by federal law now. The only exception to this would be licensed breeders, and even they should be required to sell their non-competition animals with a voucher, appointment, or something similar, to have the animals spayed or neutered as soon as they are old enough for the surgery.

After this, efforts need to be made to find homes for ALL of the animals currently in shelters, and to euthanize the non-adoptable ones. If these two things are done together, along with massive public education campaign, then I think at least some of the shelters would see a drop in the number of animals they take in, and the world would be a better place for those animals remaining. As far as taxes go, I think that requiring all dogs and cats to be licensed, and having owners pay a fee to do this, should provide more than enough revenue to run the shelters and an education program. Why couldn't we take a percentage of the fees and use that money to help unwanted animals? It's just a thought.

Food for thought ........

Answer 3

It makes me so sad to know that so many animals get put down each year. I had to visit the pound many times when I was searching for my cat and I used to cry on the way home every time. I actually wasn't going to get another cat as I was so upset over my cat that went missing but i ended up adopted my cat the day she was going to be put down. It makes me sad and happy when I look at her. It makes me happy that I saved her life but sad that if I had not have went that weekend (my husband had said no but my mother-in-law took me) then i don't even want to think what would have happened to her. I really like your idea about less money going to criminals (why are they getting money anyway?) and more money towards animals. Perhaps in the future they could let tax payers decide where at least 50% of the tax they pay goes to, and saving animals should be one of them!

Answer 4

Yes it's terrible how once loved pets are tossed aside like yesterday's news....where I live and in British Columbia in general the SPCA has a no kill policy now which means no animals are put to death and they have a over abundance of cats now. There should be more programs in place for help with spaying and neutering for people that cannot afford it though, it may not solve the problem of unwanted pets but it would help curb the reproduction of additional strays and unwanted pets.

Answer 5

It makes me very sad because they have different personalities that are so loveable! I have adopted two labs from the shelter and I can't imagine why anyone would put them in a shelter. They show the attitude and affection that a little kid would. More money and attention should be paid to animals.

Answer 6

Many are killed in shelters but many more are found homes and some that are put to sleep are legitimately dangerous or too sick. More funding should deffinately be given to spaying and neutering but some people are just plain ignorant about spaying their pets.

Answer 7

I think it's sad that so many are put to sleep in shelters; however, we need to go straight to the source- which is backyard breeders and puppy mills. I only get my pets from shelters because I'd rather give them another chance at life.

Answer 8

It's heartbreaking. I can't tell you how many animals have to be put down that only have slight behavioral issues, or because they go crazy after being in a kennel for so long.
Take it from me, the person that has to fall in love with all of these unwanted animals, and then end their lives.
Thank you for your statement.

Answer 9

Millions are put to sleep every week across the USA and thanks to many irresponsible citizens who don't neuter/spay their pets many more millions will be euthanized every week. It's staggering and one of the unknown atrocities of America.

Answer 10

i agree and whats even more maddening is people who go to pet stores to buy there animals and by doing this they support puppymills and all their cruelty instead of actually saving an animals life by adopting