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| Home Why spay/neuter Overpopulation |
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Cat and dog overpopulation facts (Summary courtesy of the Doris
Day Animal Foundation) An estimated 4-5 million cats and dogs are killed in shelters each year.(1) Tens of millions(3) of stray and feral cats struggle to survive on their own outdoors. Although some are altered and live in managed colonies, most are not altered and receive no health care. They reproduce at will and many suffer from illness or injury before dying.(4) Over half (56%) of dog guardians and nearly two-thirds (63%) of cat guardians rank pet overpopulation as the most important pet issue.(2) In a study of relinquishment of cats and dogs in 12 U.S. animal shelters, 30% of the surrendered dogs were purebreds.(5) The same study indicated that 55% of the surrendered dogs and 47% of the surrendered cats were unaltered.(5) It costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $2 billion each year to round up, house, kill, and dispose of homeless animals.(6) Over 56% of dogs and puppies entering shelters are killed, based on reports from over 1,055 facilities across America.(7) Approximately 71% of cats and kittens entering shelters are killed, based on reports from 1,055 facilities across America.(7) 1. The
Humane Society of the United States—Pet Overpopulation Facts
(1999).
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