Overpopulation
The Humane Society of Jefferson County is deeply concerned that there are more companion animals than there are responsible homes.
The Humane Society of Jefferson County for that reason requires that all dogs and cats, male and female, placed by our shelter be spayed or neutered at as early an age as is humane and appropriate. Further, the Society encourages all caregivers to consider having dogs and cats with whom they are living spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters. The Humane Society offers affordable spay/neuter opportunities.
It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States; estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.
The following is from the ASPCA website and refers to the overpopulation problem in the USA
“The average number of litters a fertile cat produces is one to two a year; average number of kittens is 4-6 per litter.
The average number of litters a fertile dog produces is one a year; average number of puppies is 4-6.
Owned cats and dogs generally live longer, healthier lives than strays.
Most strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
Only ten percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. About 75 percent of owned pets are neutered.
The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for a year.
Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them.
All data are ASPCA estimates.”