I checked the link you posted and it says estimates are 6-8 million cats and dogs enter shelters every year with 3-4 million being euthanized. This is a lower number than the article the OP posted indicates and also lower than the estimates I've seen. In all cases, though, these are estimates and no one seems to have a really accurate number. No matter whose numbers you use, it's way too many but the range of estimates does underscore the need for a database. Also, in any estimate, cats outnumber dogs and the link you posted lumps them together to get the number they use. The estimate of 25% being pure bred is about dogs but every other number is about dogs and cats. I'm wondering if these estimates are about shelters only or if they include rescues. I know neither one of us is trying to be argumentative and we would all like to see something done about this. I'd just like to see a more accurate compilation of data before legislative solutions are offered since that seems to be the direction being taken lately. Pet over-population wouldn't be such a problem if people had more of a sense of responsibility but that seems to be sorely lacking in society these days. It's really a shame. |