The Humane Society of the U.S. reports, "Nationwide, an estimated 6-8 million homeless kittens, puppies, cats, and dogs enter animal shelters every year. About half of these animals are adopted. Tragically, the other half are put down. The majority of animals euthanized are healthy, sweet pets who would have made great companions."
The number of homeless animals varies by state - in some states as many as 300,000 cats and dogs are put down in animal shelters every year. Typically, these are not the offspring of homeless street animals (like the pups we rescued from the junk heap). More often, these are the puppies and kittens of pets who were accidentally or intentionally allowed to breed.
Sadly, the state of Georgia has one of the highest kill rates in the country. A study conducted in 2009 estimated that 260,000 animals were euthanized in Georgia shelters in 2007 - a 62% euthanasia rate.
Together, we can solve this. Please encourage everyone you know to spay or neuter their pets. The Georgia SPCA can arrange low cost spay/neuter procedures. Contact the shelter at 678-765-2726 or info@georgiaspca.org.
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