| Last week the Prescott Humane Society held a | | | | of 4-6 kittens. In six to seven years a cat or a |
| poodle dress fundraiser. There was fun, games, | | | | dog and their babies may give birth to a hundred |
| t-shirts, promotional pen or promotional pens for | | | | more. Sterilization programs can prevent a lot of |
| those interested. The fundraiser has been held | | | | unwanted animals, and in areas where such |
| annually for a few years. The members of the | | | | programs have been started there has been a |
| society use the fundraiser to raise awareness | | | | dramatic 30-60 percent decrease in the number |
| about animal cruelty, responsible pet ownership, | | | | of animals in shelters that need to be euthanized. |
| and to raise funds for shelters. | | | | There are many complex parts that need to be |
| Most people love animals, especially cats and dogs. | | | | taken into consideration when imp[lamenting such |
| We call them our best friends, spending billions and | | | | a plan. The community needs to get involved, local |
| billions on food and other supplies for them as a | | | | veterinarians, educational session and campaigns, |
| nation every year. But every year in the United | | | | and subsidized clinics. Laws can be passed to |
| States millions of cats and dogs are given up to | | | | ensure that animals are sterilized , or increasing |
| shelters and to the streets, where most die. Pet | | | | the cost of a license for an animal that is not |
| Overpopulation has become a serious issue in this | | | | spayed or neutered. |
| country. There are only about 5000 pet shelters | | | | There are great consequences if action is not |
| in the whole of the U.S. While it is great news that | | | | taken. There are too many animals for the |
| shelters are able to take in 7 million cats and dogs | | | | amount of people who have taken them in. Some |
| every year, only half of these will find good | | | | animal shelters have become huge holding areas |
| homes from the shelter. The rest are euthanized, | | | | for dogs and cats waiting to die. This widespread |
| a sad fact that accompanies the fact that pet | | | | cruelty to animals encourages and permits cruelty |
| shelters do not have the capability to take in so | | | | everywhere. Strays can disrupt neighborhoods, |
| many animals. | | | | scaring or biting people, getting into trash cans, |
| If we truly love these animals as we say, we | | | | and scaring away wildlife. About 4.5 million people |
| must take drastic measures to protect them | | | | are bitten by dogs every year, many of them |
| from what they cannot protect themselves | | | | strays. Dangerous dogs can be a result of |
| against: themselves. It is up to us to institute | | | | overpopulation or breeding that disregards the |
| sterilization programs so that we don't have to kill | | | | dogs temperament. Instead of trying to deal with |
| the animals who would be born. Cats and dogs | | | | the consequences of overpopulation, we need to |
| reproduce much faster than humans. Dogs can | | | | eliminate the problem from its roots. Spay or |
| give birth twice a year and have 6-10 puppies, | | | | neuter your pets. |
| while cats can have as many as 3 litters a year | | | | |