Tune into tomorrow evening’s tv program (*BCTV*) when my guests, Schuyler Osgood, Sara Teson, Tamara Nelson, Erin Bleacher (Junior) and Daisy Pollozzo (Senior), all Governor Mifflin students, will join me in a lively discussion about their viewpoints on animal issues. You may gladly call in during the live program with any comments or questions. For now, please read the last essay by Schulyer Osgood.
Pet overpopulation is an issue in the U.S. today. As a pet owner and someone who cares about stray animals, I believe that overpopulation is due to the lack of action taken to prevent unintentional breeding. Not getting pets fixed is one of the main causes of overpopulation. Many people who own pets may not take them to be fixed, leaving their pet able to reproduce and add to the population. Another problem is the lack of adoption. Even though many people bring new animals into their households, few choose to rescue their pet, which leaves more animals in the shelters. I believe that if more people know about what they can do to prevent accidental growth in the population, overpopulation could become less of a problem.
One cause of overpopulation is that many people will not take their animals to be fixed. Although the awareness of the need to fix pets has grown, as many as 35% of pet owners do not get their pet fixed. One of the main reasons pets are not fixed is to breed them. Irresponsible breeding can add to the animals on the streets, and every litter that is given away could be one more litter that is not adopted. One of the best things someone can do to prevent excess breeding is to get his/her pet fixed and take any strays they find to be fixed. Although getting the animal fixed would not be free of cost, they could be preventing thousands of animals from being born stray.
The lack of adoption is another big problem. Millions of Americans get a new pet each year, but only 20% of those millions choose to adopt that pet from a shelter. Whenever someone adopts a pet, the animal shelter can take in more strays and prevent them from reproducing and adding to the population. Also, every person who adopts a pet from the shelter helps pays for the care of shelter animals with the adoption fee. If less people buy their pets from breeders, the breeders will not need to breed as many animals. This could help prevent problems such as animals running away or accidental breeding. All of these factors contribute to overpopulation.
Pet overpopulation has become and increasingly large problem in America. If more people fix their pets or adopt one from an animal shelter, they could be cutting down on the number of strays or accidental litters. I strongly believe in persuading pet owners to take the measures necessary to prevent pet overpopulation