Wow. That number IS way too high -
it's plain sad to hear THAT many pets are being given up & I bet many people don't have a clue they're dropping their pets off for the gas chamber ...I blame both the people who do this AND the shelter - The Shelter can find a way to keep the dogs and cats alive so they can be adopted if they really tried or at least cut down on the deaths.....
What a sad situation this country has with Shelters and unwanted/abandoned animals. I'm starting to think the MANDATORY Spay Neuter program IS the way to go too......people will still find a way to cheat at it but at least more females would be prevented from unwanted pregnancies.