| No, I'm not nuts. But I'll tell what is crazy: for | | | | away. |
| every person that is born, fifteen dogs and | | | | The second step is acknowledging that there's a |
| forty-five cats are also born. | | | | need, and then a little education. |
| That's 15 dogs. | | | | Start with your own pet, and pets of people you |
| That's 45 cats. Out in the world. Cold, hungry, | | | | know. Make absolutely sure that your pet, or one |
| unwanted and unloved. | | | | that "shows up" occasionally that you feed, is |
| Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born EVER finds a | | | | spayed or neutered. (I'm basically talking about |
| permanent home. | | | | cats here, but dogs too.) |
| Only 1 out of every 12 cats born EVER finds a | | | | Letting your pet have a litter so your children can |
| permanent home. | | | | "experience" the miracle of birth is a poor reason. |
| What can you do? Pet overpopulation is | | | | After the amazing moment is over, then what? |
| EVERYBODY's problem. Here are three small | | | | Some people tire of it, and then the kittens get |
| ways you can make a big difference. | | | | pulled away and "dumped." If you want a kitten, |
| First, education is the key. In northern California, | | | | or to see them, take your child and go visit the |
| where I live, scores of kittens are "dumped" on | | | | local shelter, or look in the paper...you'll have lots |
| the steps of shelters every spring...sometimes | | | | of choices. |
| with the mom, sometimes not. If no one claims | | | | Don't think your pet isn't old enough to be |
| them, they are all euthanized; the mom too. | | | | "thinking about that"....it happens. According to Best |
| Then, there the kittens you chance to hear in the | | | | Friends Animal Society, "Female cats can become |
| bushes, without food for days because the mom | | | | pregnant at the age of four months. People don't |
| was run over or shot by some uneducated | | | | know that cats can get pregnant so young." |
| person. They are so starving, they will come right | | | | Third, call your local animal shelter. There are |
| up to you in most cases. | | | | never enough hands/ laps to go around, they all |
| And if you've ever looked into those tiny, pleading | | | | desperately need volunteers, and will be very |
| eyes, you'll never be the same. You may be | | | | grateful for even an hour a week from you. |
| wondering "There are so many, where do you | | | | Donations are always needed, and it doesn't have |
| even start, and what do you do?" | | | | to be money. There are probably things you |
| The first thing that went through my mind when | | | | might have on hand such as old towels and |
| I first visited the tree farm was "where did they | | | | blankets you no longer use...these would be much |
| all come from?" They were everywhere, many | | | | appreciated. |
| of them sick. I would later learn that 2 adult cats | | | | February is National Spay/Neuter Month, and this |
| can create 2 to 3 litters a year. Not all survive, | | | | is an on-going effort. As the operator of a small |
| but in a young cat, that's 8 to 12 kittens a year. | | | | animal rescue myself, and "mom" to many |
| These grow up and reproduce, and year 2 is | | | | fostered litters over the years, currently |
| around 66 cats. The third year is 2,201 cats. Now | | | | managing a colony of 15 regulars, I have seen |
| we're talking. By the fourth year, the number | | | | firsthand the suffering that goes on, unnoticed |
| goes up to 3,822. | | | | and forgotten. |
| Then year five is the big jump: 12,680 cats. I | | | | Most people don't mean to be thoughtless, they |
| could hardly believe it! This all started with 2 cats | | | | just have no idea. But one small act of kindness, |
| that were left alone and forgotten. You don't | | | | to one cat, or one dog, or other animal has |
| know what you don't know, and sometimes you'd | | | | far-reaching effects. And it can start with you, |
| rather not know. But the problem doesn't go | | | | and me. |