You Can End Euthanasia

1. Spay/Neuter all your pets and ask a neighbor to do the same. Save yourself the stress of an unaltered pet and save lives by preventing litters that will only add to pet over-population. Extend the lifespan of your pet and curb behavior problems related to unaltered pets. If you can't afford it seek assistance - it's out there. Make it a priority. There are not enough homes. Too many people think "just one litter" is no big deal.

To empty the cages at every U.S. animal shelter, each household in the country would have to adopt six cats and two dogs. A male and female dog and their offspring have the potential to become 4,372 puppies in 7 years.  Two cats and their offspring have the potential to create 420,000 kittens in 7 years. Last year five million unwanted pets were put to death in U.S. shelters. That's 13,800 every day, 575 dogs and cats killed every hour. Free puppies and kittens are often sold to labs or used for bait in dog fighting rings or are often taken by someone who can not provide them a permanent, loving home. They often end up tied to a tree, abused, later dumped at a shelter or abandoned to the desert.
 

2. Adopt a Pet!! Just read the statistics above.
 

If only “backyard breeders” would be more responsible for their litters (alter and microchip them, take the pet back for any reason at any time, only breed healthy pairs with no medical conditions). There are quality breeders out there. Please research and find one if you are set on a puppy or kitten of a particular breed. Make sure you visit the premises and see the parents. Make sure to honor the breeders contract to have that pet spayed or neutered if they are not already. Always report poor conditions to animal control. But, even then please try the shelters or full breed rescues first. Certainly do not patronize a pet store if their pets come from puppy mills and you cannot view the parents. The puppy may look healthy but think about the parents that are left at the mill or in a backyard cage in poor conditions just to be bred over and over again and discarded like trash when they can not produce. Also, many of those puppies and kittens are trucked across country in extreme temperatures and in unspeakable conditions. The breeding pair may also be of the same litter. You are just asking for problems down the road (behavior and medical). If your pet has had a litter see if a rescue group will place them for you or give you information on where to get them spayed/neutered prior to adoption. Don't send them out there unaltered. Screen the people adopting them, ask to visit their home and follow up on the pup or kitten. Always charge a fee! Bunchers will sell them to labs and fighting rings will use them for bait. If they can't afford a reasonable fee they can't afford a pet. Get a copy of something that is proof of their current address. Don't assume that everyone is as nice as they say they are. Draw up a contract and application. Take some time to interview them. Don't ever give away pets at the store.

3. Train ~ Don't Complain. Give that pet a chance.
Don't discard him because he doesn't know how to act. He needs your guidance, patience and loyalty. Many problems can be solved by reading online if you are willing to be consistent and apply the advice to your pet until the problem is solved. If you turn him into a shelter or place him with out being honest - chances are he will have the same problem at his new home. You are responsible for him - keep the commitment. Pay attention to your pet and make him a part of the family. Many pets act out because they are left outside and ignored.

4. Alter a Stray or Feral Cat or Offer to Help a Neighbor Alter their Pet.

5. Volunteer with a local pet group. Get the word out to adopt and spay/neuter. You can help by sponsoring a spay or neuter, donating advertising or your time.

6. Attend City and Town Council Meetings. Right letters. Take action. Encourage local legislation that will promote and pay for spay/neuter not just euthanasia. Ask them what they are doing to help local homeless animals.