Summer brings more cats than dogs at animal shelters (kittens, breeders, litter)

[no kudzu]

How on earth can we get this under control? I get so frustrated with people who are in denial about what is going on with pet overpopulation. One regular poster on here ( or maybe it was dog forum) actually said there was not a pet overpopulation problem.

Animal shelters overburdened with cats in summer - CBS News

[killabunnies]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

How on earth can we get this under control? I get so frustrated with people who are in denial about what is going on with pet overpopulation. One regular poster on here ( or maybe it was dog forum) actually said there was not a pet overpopulation problem.

Animal shelters overburdened with cats in summer - CBS News

I am grateful on a local level our animal authority is proactive in that they have an EXCELLENT spay and neuter program for not only feral animals but low-income pets in DC regardless of income...

Honestly? I don't know. Where are people getting their pets from that they don't have to fix them? WHS released my unfixed kitten to me with a promise I would fix him - which I did - as soon as he recovered from his URI but from what I understand, they don't normally do that. Want a sick cat? You have to wait for it to be fixed to pick up your friend.

It's a public health issue. Backyard breeders need to be prosecuted and shut down. The public needs to be educated. The shelters need more money for spay/neuter programs. The list goes on.

[negativenancy]

I wish I could adopt them all! Shelter animals are the best
And I agree... spay and neuter funding is key.

[=^..^=]

Originally Posted by killabunnies

I am grateful on a local level our animal authority is proactive in that they have an EXCELLENT spay and neuter program for not only feral animals but low-income pets in DC regardless of income...

We have low cost clinics here but the low-income people can't be bothered to get their cats and dogs in.

Honestly? I don't know. Where are people getting their pets from that they don't have to fix them?

Try Craigslist and other online sites where animals are handed off to the next stranger coming to the door.

WHS released my unfixed kitten to me with a promise I would fix him - which I did - as soon as he recovered from his URI but from what I understand, they don't normally do that. Want a sick cat? You have to wait for it to be fixed to pick up your friend.

It's a public health issue. Backyard breeders need to be prosecuted and shut down. The public needs to be educated. The shelters need more money for spay/neuter programs. The list goes on.

I just found out our shelter will get something like $25,000 less from the county because of all the complaints the city received from people about not getting help when needed with vicious, loose dogs and strays. Now they'll kill even more animals.

[=^..^=]

Originally Posted by negativenancy

I wish I could adopt them all! Shelter animals are the best
And I agree... spay and neuter funding is key.

But you can force people to get their animals spayed or neutered. Unless we get some laws passed pertaining to this issue, the problems will continue.

[catsmom21]

If I see another thread about people celebrating the birth of kittens (in another supposedly pro-spay-neuter-forum) I might scream.

It infuriates me.

[Pammyd]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

How on earth can we get this under control? I get so frustrated with people who are in denial about what is going on with pet overpopulation. One regular poster on here ( or maybe it was dog forum) actually said there was not a pet overpopulation problem.

Animal shelters overburdened with cats in summer - CBS News

There has to be a big drive to be sure pets get neutered or spayed. If more cities would have a free neutering/spaying clinic with vets donating their time, perhaps the overpopulation especially with cats would not happen. My husband and I are BIG on adoption of animals and have adopted two kitties and a Pit Bull that someone left tied to a dumpster. We frequent the local shelter so we do see all the animals that get dumped there because people don't want the responsibility any longer.
Of course there is a big pet overpopulation problem because there are not enough responsible pet owners.

[negativenancy]

Originally Posted by catsmom21

If I see another thread about people celebrating the birth of kittens (in another supposedly pro-spay-neuter-forum) I might scream.

It infuriates me.

Kittens are sooo adorable so I get the appeal of wanting to have a litter; however there's plenty of adorable kittens awaiting new homes in shelters.

Why create something new when you can find something same or similar elsewhere? Besides shelter cats rule!

[greg42]

Originally Posted by =^..^=

But you can force people to get their animals spayed or neutered. Unless we get some laws passed pertaining to this issue, the problems will continue.

You can? Like you can force people to wear seatbelts or drive the speed limit? Or even just license their dog or cat?

You can pass laws but you can't force people.

Passing laws in some places may up the rate of spay/neuter, but in other places it would just be seen as a hardship, even though really it should be the opposite. (Isn't it more of a hardship to have more animals?)

Even upping the rate of spay/neuter, whether with laws or not, will not alone fix the problem. All it takes is people continuing to abandon young cats and you'll still end up with tons of ferals.

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by greg42

You can? Like you can force people to wear seatbelts or drive the speed limit? Or even just license their dog or cat?

Our local shelters will not let you adopt unless you let them spay or neuter the animal before you take it home. They charge for this but it's less than $100 and they microchip at the same time.