Every year, tens of thousands of healthy cats and kittens, dogs and puppies, are killed in California’s shelters, simply because they cannot find homes. Countless others are neglected or abandoned on the streets and die of injury or starvation. These are sweet, innocent animals, just like your family pets. They want to love, and they want to be loved. Yet here in Southern California the statistics are chilling: Only 1 out of 8 dogs born will ever find a permanent home. Only 1 out of 10 cats will be that fortunate.

Why is this happening?

Cats and dogs reproduce very quickly, and their young are able to have babies while they are still babies themselves. For example, a female cat can become pregnant at just 4 months of age. Four months after that, while she is raising her second litter, each of her daughters can have a litter of her own, and so on. That’s how one pair of cats and their offspring can result in 420,000 cats in just 7 years.

Dogs begin reproducing at 6 months of age, and can have two litters a year. With larger breeds, litters of 12 or more puppies are not uncommon. Even with average size litters of just 6, one pair of dogs and their offspring can result in 67,000 dogs in just 6 years.

There are an estimated 3-4 MILLION cats and dogs KILLED in animal shelters every year, most simply for want of homes, yet we continue to produce more than 70,000 additional kittens and puppies EACH DAY. Even if you think you have homes lined up for your kittens or puppies, there is no guarantee that people will actually want them once they are born, or that they will care for them for their entire lives. Worse still, other kittens or puppies who are already here, waiting for homes, will lose their lives because you took their homes.

Pet Assistance Foundation is devoted to curtailing pet overpopulation, and to strengthening the human-animal bond by teaching compassion and responsible care of our fellow sentient beings.

Can we stop pet overpopulation?

Yes, we can! There are simple procedures available for both male and female pets—neuter and spay surgeries – that will prevent them from ever having a litter. There are other benefits, too! Eliminating mating drives and behaviors makes our animals better pets, more relaxed and focused on their families. They also prevent or greatly lower the risk of reproductive cancers and infections, eliminate heat cycles, reduce the urge to roam and spray, and curb certain types of male aggression, without diminishing protective instincts or abilities.

In our sixty-plus years of pioneering work in animal welfare, we have learned that three key elements are needed to end the massive slaughter of healthy, loving, adoptable animals:

Low Cost Sterilization

Our hotline facilitates the spaying or neutering of thousands of dogs, cats and rabbits in Southern California each year. Depending on need and the programs available, we:

• Refer callers to vets who offer special low pricing to our clients.
• Provide information on coupons or vouchers offered by the city or county.
• Provide information on special programs from other humane societies.
• Give subsidies to pet guardians who demonstrate financial need.
• Sponsor mobile spay/neuter clinics in underserved areas.
• Advocate for allocating municipal funds into spay/neuter programs.

Education

People aren’t always aware of the enormity of the problem. Every litter adds to the surplus, every puppy and kitten counts. PAF volunteers interact with Southern California residents on a daily basis through our hotlines, online presence, and adoption programs. We have also sponsored teacher training in humane education approaches and techniques, and provided humane education presentations in Los Angeles schools, a practice we plan to expand in the future.

Legislation

Across the country, concerned animal advocates are adopting laws and policies to support responsible pet guardianship and fight pet overpopulation. The issues can be complex and are often vehemently opposed by those who profit from breeding, but they are becoming increasingly accepted because THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. While concerned pet owners will do the right thing without legislation, the irresponsible and uncaring will not. Good legislation provides the tools needed to stop the excessive breeding of pets that no community can support. Pet Assistance President Wendy Aragon has consulted on the design of numerous Southern California ordinances targeting pet overpopulation, and PAF works hard to get them passed. Be sure to sign up for our e-blasts to be notified of pending legislation that needs your support.