The need for rescues, the need for responsibility

Living in the 21st century has many perks, from technological gadgets to how, as a society, we view animals. According to the American Pet Products Association, 68 percent of people living in the United States own a pet, with the majority (60.2 million) having dogs and 47.1 million having cats. The organization estimates that nearly $70 billion was spent on pets by pet owners in 2017, up from 66.75 billion in 2016. Americans certainly seem to love their pets!
 
Still, improvements are greatly needed, especially in the areas of animal adoption and pet ownership responsibility.
 
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), nearly 6.5 million animals enter shelters and rescues every year; they are comprised of owner surrenders, strays, and animals rescued from hoarding, dog fighting, and puppy/kitty mill operations. Only about half are adopted.  More than 700,000 strays are reunited with their owners; sadly, less than five percent of the cats that come in as strays are reclaimed, and many of the animals brought in are not spayed or neutered.
 
Pet ownership responsibility includes caring for one’s animal, providing food, water, shelter, and medical treatment. In addition to vaccinations and teeth cleaning, medical care should include spaying and neutering. Such procedures curb the number of litters born, and therefore, helps cut down on the number of animals needing homes, either through the owner giving/selling the youngsters or taking them to rescues and shelters. Cats and dogs can breed two to three times a year, having an average of six babies per litter. Multiple that out over the course of five to seven years, and you have thousands more animals per unsprayed female. For every kitten or puppy sold or given away by owners, that’s one less adopted and therefore, one more possibly euthanized.
 
Until there are less strays, less owner relinquishment, more adoptions, and more spaying and neutering, no more animal hoarding or puppy/kitten mills, there will be the need for animal shelters and rescues.
 
We all can do our part to positively impact responsibility and rescue. Here are some suggestions:
 Spay and neuter our pets.Make sure your animals have collar/ID tags and/or microchip with updated, correct contact information.Search for your pet if it becomes lost, and that includes visiting your local animal shelter(s) and reclaiming your pet.Be a good Samaritan and help a lost animal get back home, which can include reporting loose animals to your community’s animal control.Educate others about the importance and benefits of spaying and neutering.Volunteer at your local shelter and/or become a foster family.Teach your children and grandchildren kindness to animals.Report suspected neglect and abuse, including dog fighting.Adopt your next pet.Encourage pet adoption and pet ownership responsibility to others.Donate to your local shelter or rescue, whether money or supplies.Attend events benefitting your local rescue/shelter. 
Although America has come a long way since the 1970s when 12 to 20 million pets were killed in animal shelters across the country, there a great need still exists for pet ownership responsibility and, therefore, for animal rescues and shelters. Let’s all do something to help continue the downward trend of euthanasia rates and increase pet ownership responsibility. Maybe one we will realize the #NoKill dream many animal welfare organizations envision – that no healthy, adoptable animal is euthanized – but it takes responsible pet owners to get there.