Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
Last Updated on May 11, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin
April 30th is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. Here are some statistics and issues that relate to the plight of cats in shelters.
“Too many animals enter the shelter system for reasons that are completely preventable.” – Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President & CEO”
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Cats in Shelters
Each year, approximately 7.6 million animals enter animal shelters nationwide. According to the ASPCA 3 million don’t make it out alive. The Humane Society indicates that 1/2 -2/3 of shelter intakes are cats. Seventy percent of them are euthanized. Forty-seven percent of the cats in America are adopted from shelters or rescues, 32% are taken in as strays, and 26% are acquired from friends or relatives, only 5% are purchased from breeders or pet stores (animal sheltering).
Spay and Neuter is Critical
The solution to the population problem is neutering cats, especially feral or community cats. A female cat can breed 3 times a year. An average litter is 4-5 kittens. Over a 7 year period that one cat and her descendants would result in 420,000 kittens (ASPCA.)
There are 94 million owned cats in the United States. Ninety-three percent of them are spayed or neutered. Only 2% of the 30-40 million feral, stray or abandoned cats are spayed or neutered. Access to low-cost spay-neuter programs and even more importantly, trap/neuter/return programs for community cats will reduce the overpopulation problem.
Support for Those in Need
Helping people in financial difficulties to feed their pets will help keep pets in their homes. Organizations like Pongo Fund in Oregon help with food or vet expenses. There are other organizations that help with medical expenses.
Educating People
Referrals to behaviorists for help solving problems like litterbox issues will also help to reduce the number of cats surrendered to shelters. High profile behaviorists with TV shows like Jackson Galaxy of My Cat from Hell or Pam Johnson-Bennett of Psycho Kitty make access to help and knowledge more wildly available. It is important that people understand the basics of cat behavior and make a commitment to the cats they choose to adopt.
How Can You Help?
Support your local shelter or cat rescue. Adopt if you can. Foster or volunteer if you can’t adopt. Donate or support your local rescue workers. Most shelters publish a wish list online. If they don’t, you can rest assured that canned cat food and cat litter are almost universal needs. Monetary donations help most. Today might be a great day to bring cookies or something for the workers as well as a donation. Rescue workers, especially in smaller rescues, work day and night for the good of the cats in their care. Give them support on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day.
