Overpopulation
Animal protection advocates call attention to the pet overpopulation "crisis" in the United States. According to the Humane Society
of the
United States, 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the country and many more are confined to cages in shelters.
This crisis is created by nonneutered animals (spayed/castrated) reproducing and people intentionally breeding animals.
A particularly
problematic combination of economic hardship combined with a love of animals contributes to this problem in parts
of the rural United States.
In an average year,
a fertile cat can produce three litters of kittens, with up to 4 to 6 kittens in each litter. Based on these numbers,
one female cat
and her offspring could produce up to 420,000 cats over a seven year period if not spayed or castrated. There are
also major overpopulation problems with other pet species, such as birds and rabbits. Local humane societies, SPCAs, and
other animal protection organizations urge
people to neuter their pets and to adopt animals from animal shelters instead of
purchasing them from breeders or pet stores.
Pet Adoption
Pet adoption usually refers to the process of taking guardianship of and responsibility for a pet that a
previous owner has abandoned or otherwise abdicated responsibility for.
Common sources are: |
Animal shelters, in the case of dogs also known as dog poundsDogs adopted from shelters are often referred to as shelter dogs or pound puppies; dogs adopted from are
often called
rescue dogs
(not to be confused with search and rescue dogs). Shelters have put together
informational websites to help
the public choose the right
dog for their family.
Pets are taken to animal shelters for many reasons: |
(source: wikipedia.org)
To search for your next pet, please click on the links below.
Petfinder Featured Pet
|
Petfinder is an on-line, searchable database of animals that need homes. It is also a directory of over 10,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Organizations maintain their own home pages and available pet database. Petfinder Mission About Petfinder Petfinder is made up of animal-care professionals and regular people volunteering for their local animal welfare organizations all working together to maintain active and accurate homeless pet lists. Most animal welfare volunteers have "real jobs" by day. The success and the magnitude of this project is largely due to their tireless efforts to make a difference. If you would like to help, let us know! You can find us at http://www.petfinder.com/. Email: pets@petfinder.com. Petfinder is updated DAILY. |
Dog Adoption & Cat Adoption!
Adopt a friend. Save a life.
Looking for the perfect companion
Use our free search tool to find a dog or cat near you today! You can
search by breed, size, color, and even age so you will be able to find the cat or dog that is perfect for you
and your needs. Search for your new best friend today, with our search.
Find a Shelter or Rescue Group
PETS 911 believes that if you consolidate all the adoption, lost and found, veterinarian/emergency clinic, fostering, volunteer,
shelter/clinic, and health and training information out there and give the public a single and easy place to find this information;
education will substantially increase and euthanasia will decrease. That is our mission.
Search Pets911 for your next pet
Pets with Disabilities - Rescue
U.S. Pet Rescues and Humane Organizations by State
To find an animal shelter, rescue or humane organization near you, please click on your state on the map below.
CANADA ORGANIZATIONS
Animal Organizations, Causes, Shelters, and Rescues
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