Letter: County combats pet euthanasia
There was an excellent article in the Dec. 23 Madera Tribune about people giving up their pets during these tough economic times (”As Economy Falters, More People Are Giving Up Pets”).
The article points out that 6 million to 8 million animals are surrendered to shelters each year in the U.S., and about half of those are euthanized. It’s great that the Tribune is able to share this information with Maderans to illuminate the problem.
Still, despite the tough times we are facing, there is a silver lining of hope that we animal lovers can cling to.
I remember that not too many years ago, the euthanasia rate in this country was around 12 million per year. It’s down to 3-4 million now, mostly because more people are spaying and neutering their pets and avoiding purchases from puppy mills. Two dogs breeding at will, whose puppies also breed at will, can produce 67,000 offspring in a six year period of time (see Dog Fancy magazine, February 2000 issue, for an explanation).
Two cats can produce 420,000 offspring in seven years, and some puppy mills produce 10,000 puppies per year.
There are more avenues for low-cost spay and neuter than ever before. Friends of Madera Animal Shelter offers spay/neuter vouchers to low-income families for $15-$20 per animal, with the help of our local vets. Hope Animal Foundation in Fresno offers low-cost services to everyone, regardless of income or county of residence.
In Madera County alone, we have increased our save rate sixfold over the last six years. Everyone in this county should take pride in that.
For more information about low-cost spay and neuter, interested parties can call Friends of Madera Animal Shelter at 664-8667 and HOPE in Fresno at 271-0209. For more information about puppy mills, go to www.stoppuppymills.org or call our local shelter at 675-7891. For more statistics about birth rates, go to www. spayusa.org.
Andrea Robinson,
Positive Pet Training,
www.dogtrainingmadera
