The Problem of Overcrowded Animal Shelters Leading to Mass Euthanization

The Problem of Overcrowded Animal Shelters and the Resulting Mass Euthanization of Animals

Something that concerns me greatly in my community, is the large number of companion animal euthanizations. There are an astounding number of animals that are destined to meet an untimely death. While a small number may be adopted, the sad truth is that most will be euthanized. Although the process of euthanization itself is reasonably humane, it is still an unfortunate and preventable occurrence. There are many societal factors to blame for this sad and unfortunate problem.

Those who are considering owning a pet should educate themselves about the long term responsibility and commitment of pet ownership. Many people do not give adequate consideration to the probability of possible career or relationship mandated relocation prior to acquiring a pet. In surveying and speaking to the Animal Control administrators in Rutherford, Davidson, Williamson, Marshall and Maury counties I found that the number one reason for pet surrender was relocation of the owner due to career or relationship status. While those are often unforeseeable, it can be argued that many owners do not take the responsibility of pet ownership seriously enough and instead see their pets as disposable. The data I obtained from talking to these administrators indicated that most of the pet owners who surrendering their animals had a complacent attitude about doing so. They indicated that taking the time to work diligently to secure a good home for companion animals in this situation did not seem to be a priority. In quoting one of the animal control administrators (who wished to remain anonymous) he sadly reported, “People just don’t seem to care. Most people we see who surrender their animals in simply, hand over their animal, and walk out as if they just dropped off their laundry. Their complacency and apathy is astounding. It is like they drop them (the animals) here, and mark that off their to do list.”

Feline and Canine overpopulation due to the lack of animals that are spayed and neutered is another reason that was given for the over crowding of animal shelters and thus the necessity to euthanize so many cats and dogs. According to the Humane Society of the United States, a fertile cat can produce three litters a year, and a fertile dog can produce two, with each litter consisting of an average of five and seven animals respectively. Of all the counties listed above only one did not have an income based financial assistance program for those unable to afford spaying and neutering their animals. All of the counties had outreach community education programs. Financial assistance and educational programs notwithstanding, there are still a vast number of animals roaming free that are not spayed or neutered. This is another contributing factor to the astounding number of animals that are euthanized