• Between 8-12 million companion animals are euthanized² each year in America due to lack of homes. Using the low figure of 8 million this means:
  
            666,666 are euthanized each month
            153,846 are euthanized each week
            21,918 are euthanized each day
  


• 25% of cats born are destroyed daily -- that's one out of every four. (The majority of these are bright-eyed, healthy cats and kittens with no physical or mental deformities.)



• 90% of the millions of cats killed on our roads each year are unsterilized.



• 80% of the dogs hit by vehicles on the highway each year are un-neutered males.



• For every one person born, 15 dogs and 45 cats are also born.



• Only 1 in 9 cats and dogs born in the U.S. will find a home.



• One female cat and one male cat and their offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in 7 years.



• One female dog and one male dog and their offspring can produce 4,372 puppies in 7 years.

Why are so many being killed? First, the average person seems to be unaware of the magnitude of the problem. Additionally, many well-meaning pet owners are not educated on the spay/neuter issues. Also we live in a disposable society, so when the cute kitten grows up, or the dog needs too many baths, suddenly they become unwanted. Not only are they unwanted, but dumped on the street, in a shelter, at the door of a local rescue group or vet. Many people today don't see animals as a responsibility, but something you buy and try--like a pair of shoes. As with all social problems, it is so much easier to ignore the problem--but as with most community problems, you are either part of the problem or part of the solution.

How can you be part of the solution?

1. If you own a pet--have it spayed or neutered before it reaches 6 months of age.
2. Take your pet responsibilities seriously and teach your children to do the same.
3. Educate others on the need for early spay/neuter and the available low-cost programs.
4. Adopt a pet from a local rescue or shelter.
5. Make a cat part of your office staff.
6. Become an animal foster, providing temporary home until a forever home can be found.
7. Contribute your time and/or money to organizations that promote or provide low-cost and no-cost spay/nueter.