Companion Animal Overpopulation by Julio Mejia Problem Every

Companion Animal Overpopulation by: Julio Mejia

Problem • Every year, 6 to 8 million unwanted cats and dogs end up in animal shelters. • Half of them end up being euthanized because there aren't enough homes. • The stray animals and overpopulation has resulted in euthanasia and killing of thousands of animals. • Action must be taken in order to end the overpopulation crisis.

Modesto sweeps net about 20 -30 dogs at a time and have left far fewer large dogs on the loose

How can we help? • Companion animal overpopulation is a complex issue and cannot be solved in a single step but in small wins over time. • There are several complications to solving animal overpopulation such as the financial issues.

How the community of Merced can Help • Raise awareness • Local schools purchasing newsletters that inform the youth that also help with funding towards animal programs. • Introducing affordable spay or neuter programs. • Creation of programs and organizations that collaborate towards animal social change.

How you can help • Always spay or neuter your animals. One unspayed dog and her offspring can produce 67, 000 dogs in six years, and one unspayed cat and her offspring can produce 420, 000 cats in seven years. • Always adopt never buy. Every animal bred means death for a dog or cat in an animal shelter.

Video • https: //youtu. be/ZVy. FSTYY 7 zg? t=42

How you can help • Encourage legislation towards mandatory spay/neuter laws. Several cities across the country have already passed such legislations. • Raise awareness around the community.

Fun Facts • You can spay or neuter your companion animal at only 8 weeks of age. • More than 25 percent of animals found in shelters are purebred. • Spayed or neutered dogs are up to three times less likely to bite than dogs who haven't been “fixed. ”

Conclusion • Raising awareness is one step towards the solution of the overpopulation crisis. • Affordable spay/neuter programs will allow more animals to be spayed/neutered. This will lower the amount of breeding and reproduction of animals.