I just read an article in the Arizona Republic saying that "The Maricopa County Animal Care & Control facilities took in 50,000 cats and dogs in the 12-month period that ended this summer, and 30,000 of them were put down."

I think we all need to hear that again: out of 50,000 taken in, 30,000 were put down.

Believe it or not, that number is WITH a no-kill policy for "healthy" animals. At the pound, healthy animals are those over eight weeks old with no sign of physical or behavioral problems. So say goodbye to young puppies and kittens, say goodbye to anyone with the sniffles, and say goodbye to anyone who is too scared out of their wits.

This is happening in our city, and it is not acceptable. We all need to stop wringing our hands in distress as if there is nothing we can do. Here is exactly what we can do:

Many vets charge a hefty penny for these services, but did you know that Cat Nip & Tuck offers spay surgery for only $25, and neuter surgery for only $18? A night at the movies costs more than that. Cost is a lousy excuse. If you need help, check out the Spay/Neuter Hotline.

Shelters are always full. A big part of the reason is that many shelters get their animals directly from the pound, which is pretty much a never ending supply. If you can get a shelter to take your pets, you may very well be preventing them from rescuing that many more animals from the pound. Cow Cats and Dog Logs is a free online service for placing pets without depending on shelters. Newspaper ads are another option. And of course, whenever you adopt a homeless pet, you are keeping them out of a shelter.

Donate to low-cost spay/neuter programs, donate to Trap-Neuter-Return programs, and donate to no-kill shelters. Seriously, someone has to pay for these things. They are not government services covered by taxes. Just like any business, these programs need to bring in money in order to stay in operation, and we very much need for them to stay in operation.

Without a doubt, the long-term solution for pet over population is sterilization. If you think you can let your cat or dog have one litter and it's no big deal, you are wrong. Dead wrong. Thousands of other people thought the exact same thing during the last year, and look where we are today. How about a refresher: Of the 50,000 animals turned in to the pound, 30,000 of them were put down. Breeding, planned or otherwise, is THE one and only cause of pet overpopulation.

Ok, so now you know. Let's get crackin'.

Add Comments (Account Required)