Podcast #1

Hello everyone!

You are with "Happy Paws" the show dedicated to homeless pets and rescuing animals. In this episode we will familiarize you with the facts about animal sheltering. We encourage you to join us live and to tell us your stories about adopting or rescuing pets. You can call with questions and our specialists will answer live on today`s show. We would like to hear from you!

Across the United States, volunteers and staff in animal shelters and animal control facilities see the results of irresponsible pet ownership and dog and cat overpopulation every day. However, there is very little reliable data available to illustrate this issue on a national level. The following figures were gleaned from independent random studies and the best estimates by experts in the animal welfare and related fields. There are about 5000 community animal shelters nationwide that are independent; there is no national organization monitoring these shelters. The phrases “humane society” and “SPCA” are generic terms; shelters using those names are not part of the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA. Currently, no government institution or animal organization is responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal protection movement.

Approximately 8-12 million animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year and approximately 5-9 million are euthanized (60% of dogs and 70% of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state.

Less than 2 percent of cats and only 15-20% of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips.

25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.

Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. 75% of owned pets are neutered.

About 60% of all households in the United States have a pet.

About 60 million dogs and about 75 million cats are owned in the United States.

About 65% of pet owners acquire their pets free or at low cost.

The majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and family members. 15 – 20% of dogs are purchased from breeders, 10 – 20% of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues, and 2 – 10% are purchased from pet shops.

At least 20% of cats are acquired as strays.

Over 20% of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them from a shelter.

The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for one year.

The average cost of basic food, supplies, medical care and training for a dog or cat is $400 to $700 annually.

At the end of today`s show we would like to thank the ASPCA and Anti-Cruelty Society for providing us with the information based on their statistics and experience in sheltering pets through the years. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!