Five to eight million animals end up in shelters each year
There are more than 5 million reasons to rescue a pet from a shelter. According to the Humane Society of the United States, between 6 to 8 million animals end up in animals shelters every year. There are an estimated 3,500 animal shelters in the country, so nearly every city has homeless pets in need of adoptive homes.
Animal Overpopulation
Most of the animals in shelters will not be adopted, because animal overpopulation far outpaces the rate of available homes. Nationally, shelters euthanize 50 to 60 percent of all dogs they take in and the death rate is even higher for cats; seven out of 10 are destroyed. The Humane Society says 3 to 4 million animals die each year for lack of homes while an equal number are adopted from shelters.
Variety
Twenty-five percent of shelter dogs are purebred.
Shelter animals come in all ages, sizes and breeds. The selection is not limited to dogs and cats, either. Larger cities often have several shelters, including municipal and county shelters, and private nonprofit shelters. Many shelters also take in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats and birds. Although the majority of animals in animal shelters are mixed breeds, 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebreds.
Matchmaking
Should you adopt a couch potato or a rascal? Shelters help you decide.
Shelters want a pet's new home to be a permanent one. Each organization has its own criteria for determining if an adopter and an animal are right for each other. Some organizations use assessment tools like the ASPCA's "Meet Your Match" program, which rates each dog or cat's temperament for playfulness, friendliness, energy level and other traits. Adopters fill out questionnaires to determine which temperament type is best for their home, family and lifestyle. The ASPCA says adopters aren't forced to pass up a pet who isn't a perfect match on paper, "but at least you'll know who you're mixing with."
Cost
Adoption fees vary by community and organization and are usually quite affordable. The fees often include pet supplies and medical services. A look at two shelters offers a sample of adoption packages. At the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, dog adoptions in May 2010 cost $130 while cats adoption fees were $75. At the Willamette Humane Society in Salem, Oregon, cat adoptions start at $75. Dog adoptions start at $100, but can be higher or lower depending on the dog's age and other characteristics. At both shelters, all adoptions include vaccines and dewormers, spay or neuter surgery, flea treatment, microchipping and other supplies.
Prevention/Solution
With pet overpopulation levels causing several million animals deaths each year, the American Humane Association says the public can help fight the problem by choosing to adopt shelter animals. "By doing so you immediately give a home to an animal that didn't have one, and you reduce the overall number of homeless pets out there," the group said on its website.
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