Let's Talk... The Pet Overpopulation 'Myth'

[Trish Allearz]

So I'm interested in your thoughts on this...

http://spanieljournal.com/33lbaughan.html

http://theothersideofar.weebly.com/myth-of-pet-overpopulation.html

We've been raised on the belief-- innate almost-- that our country is overpopulated with unneutered and unspayed pets. And even when we walk through some of our shelters-- here, it is rampant with mixed breed Chihuahuas and erroneously labeled 'pitbulls' (let's be honest-- PITBULL is not a breed, but a catch phrase for a dog with certain traits)-- it's hard not to simply believe the overpopulation myth is fact.

But the numbers don't seem to add up. And the fact that we are importing A LARGE number of dogs into shelters doesn't support the fact that our system as a whole is overpopulated.

So read-- and argue if you want-- but I think this is a great topic for a pet community

 

[Carykd7kau]

Makes me wanna cry. So many wonderful lives terminated for the almighty dollar...the root of ALL eveil.

 

[Trish Allearz]

Makes me wanna cry. So many wonderful lives terminated for the almight dollar...the root of ALL eveil.

What is frustrating to me-- besides the obvious-- is that if some shelters are importing animals, why can't we work out an infrastructure for shelters who are overburdened to then ship animals to the states that are currently importing? Why not instead of wasting time and money on AR bull crap, we actually work on getting a system that WORKS? I've read some awful posts from a few rescues about the conditions of some shelters (usually in the southern states) and it's just infuriating that we cannot move those dogs (and they are gorgeous dogs) up into areas that are looking for homes.

Instead, we continue wasting time and money on pushing the AR agenda

 

[Carykd7kau]

Honey, it is the almighty buck doing the talking. Grrrr.

 

[Trish Allearz]

Honey, it is the almighty buck doing the talking. Grrrr.

That and let's face it, people think it's cooler to say, "Oh, my dog came from XYZ country as a rescue" versus "Oh, my dog was saved from being PTS in Atlanta, Georgia."

 

[Carykd7kau]

I know. It is so sad that people are so image conscious. Makes me ashamed to be a human.

 

[Kristin]

The more I read about shelters the more frustrating it is. I must say, most of our shelters don't import, and we do have a ton of cats that need homes. Our local shelter is 'no kill' (but still euthanize, but that is another rant) and have so many cats there isn't room for more. They don't do a good job of getting the cats homes, which is a management problem, but it seems that all the shelters in my area have a lot of cats.

What really bothers me is blaming it on breeders and people who buy from breeders. I had a customer come in to the pet store I work at and tell me he is feeding an 8 week old kitten that is a stray, but refuses to get him neutered or give him shelter for the winter. Those are the people responsible for strays on the streets.

 

[Trish Allearz]

The more I read about shelters the more frustrating it is. I must say, most of our shelters don't import, and we do have a ton of cats that need homes. Our local shelter is 'no kill' (but still euthanize, but that is another rant) and have so many cats there isn't room for more. They don't do a good job of getting the cats homes, which is a management problem, but it seems that all the shelters in my area have a lot of cats.

What really bothers me is blaming it on breeders and people who buy from breeders. I had a customer come in to the pet store I work at and tell me he is feeding an 8 week old kitten that is a stray, but refuses to get him neutered or give him shelter for the winter. Those are the people responsible for strays on the streets.

But therein lies the problem-- the shelters that don't import if they have an overpopulation in that AREA should be able to work with shelters that are currently importing and transfer dogs. Versus the way it goes right now.

As far as the stray kitty-- that does frustrate me. I mean why feed him if you won't be willing to get him neutered? Have you looked into any local TNR groups who might neuter for free for the man?

 

[Kristin]

But therein lies the problem-- the shelters that don't import if they have an overpopulation in that AREA should be able to work with shelters that are currently importing and transfer dogs. Versus the way it goes right now.

As far as the stray kitty-- that does frustrate me. I mean why feed him if you won't be willing to get him neutered? Have you looked into any local TNR groups who might neuter for free for the man?

Ugh I have been ranting about this for a week. I can't seem to let this one go, and I am kicking myself for not insisting the man give me the kitten.

I told him the SPCA runs neuter clinics for $20 and has a TNR program, and he told me "I am not doing anything at all for this cat except feeding him"

Edit: I think a lot of the problems we face is mis management. I don't know how the other provinces are....or even other cities. I know of one rescue who pulls from Quebec, but that's about it. I live in a town where there aren't too many strays...most of the outdoor cats have homes, but the closest city has a huge feral population. The SPCA has some great programs, but people have to take responsibility

 

[Rafiki]

California has an insane amount of Chihuahuas. There are several organizations that gets them from the Los Angeles shelters and transports them to states on the East Coast where they are not so common and adopts them out in a heartbeat. I believe that Colorado is another state where they are brought. I rather like this program....of course, most Chihuahuas that I have encountered are poorly raised and nasty bite-y barky things so I appreciate having the shipped out. LOL

One of the bigger problems recently seems to be that so many people dropped off their unwanted pets as a result of "the economy". I cannot imagine what dire straits I would have to be in to ever do that. I did follow a story about an elderly couple who could not afford the medical bill for their dog and dropped him off to a shelter sobbing. Fortunately someone followed up on the case, found a charitable organization to pay for the treatment and returned the dog to them - along with a food allowance. THAT is what I like to see!