Pet overpopulation is a serious problem in the United States. Between 6 and 8 million dogs and cats (including puppies and kittens) are brought to animal shelters annually. From April through November, the MSPCA is flooded with surrendered animals.
Some of these animals are strays; others are surrendered by their owners. Sadly, the statistics for surrenders and adoptions across the United States as a whole tell us that only half of these animals will find a permanent home; the rest are euthanized.
There are so many millions of animals available, that it is impossible to find homes for them all. There are roughly twice as many animals seeking a home as homes seeking an animal. People continue to allow their pets to breed because they are unaware of the huge surplus of cats and dogs in this country. There are many popular myths about spay-neuter that simply aren't true (click here to read more).
Intact dogs and cats run loose, adding litter after litter to the population. This overabundance of animals increases animal suffering, may further the spread of disease, and certainly impacts the public and the environment in many ways. By keeping pets confined in a fenced yard or on a leash, "accidental" breeding can be reduced - but the only surefire way to prevent this is surgery.
Increased public awareness and education can help! We need your help in decreasing the number of animals that end up at our door each year. Help us end animal overpopulation in Massachusetts by having your own pets spayed or neutered before they produce even one litter. Spaying (ovario-hysterectomy) and neutering (castration) are simple operations that prevent female and male animals from having or producing babies.
These are the best ways to help end pet overpopulation: