THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND LITTERS

One day while driving through town, I saw signs in front of two local businesses that said, "Free Kittens." When I got home, I turned to the pet section of an area advertising magazine and scanned over 70 ads offering free, cute, puppies, dogs and kittens to good homes. How sad. There are so many unwanted and homeless dogs and cats. What will happen to those puppies and kittens? What kind of life will they live?

The majority -- an estimated 75-90% -- will be euthanized. Some may go to laboratories as subjects of medical or cosmetic experiments.

Others will end up in a so-called "good" home, left outdoors and ignored when their care becomes too much for a busy owner. These neglected pets usually won't be given vaccinations. They will suffer from malnutrition and parasitic infestations such as fleas and worms. And they'll reproduce more unwanted puppies and kittens to endure the same fate.

"Free" pets are not alone in this predicament. Puppies and kittens listed "for sale" are also frequently victims of irresponsible pet reproduction. Some people sell pets for income, others because they didn't make the effort to keep them from becoming pregnant and want to recoup their losses. However these unwanted dogs and cats came to life, many of them will not live healthy, happy lives because the owners of their parents could not be bothered to provide a minimum of appropriate care for an animal which is dependent upon them.

Why am I writing about something people already know or of which they don't want to be reminded? Because something has to change. Now.
As responsible owners, we do not get to skip this article because our pet isn't reproducing. We should worry about pet overpopulation, and be bothered enough by this worry to act.

What can one animal-loving individual do? No one can be expected to adopt every unwanted dog or cat that strays across their path, but there are things we can do to make a difference.

Volunteer at an animal shelter. Be an educational officer, walk dogs, clean cat cages, or collect donations. Tell everyone about the many homeless or euthanized animals with which you work.
If you can't volunteer, send donations to the animal shelter, rescue or protection agency of your choice. Support humane society fund raisers. Tell people you do this and why you do it.
Offer to pay or share expenses with a friend or relative who can't afford to have their pet sterilized.
Adopt a homeless dog or cat and give them a good home -- but only if you have the means, time and ability to do so. If you can't properly care for a pet, don't bring one home.
Spay or neuter your own dog or cat as a good example to others.
If you can't afford to sterilize your pet, or have a valid reason for not doing so, there are other options:
Keep them inside. Keep them separated from animals of the opposite gender.
Put your pet on birth control.
Consider your pet's needs. They didn't ask for you to take them home. You chose to bring them into your life and assume responsibility for their well-being. When you have to make a choice between going to the movies or spending money on pet health care -- choose pet care -- it's your responsibility to put your dog's or cat's needs before your personal desires.
Apply for financial assistance with sterilization surgery. Many shelters and veterinarians offer this aid. Ask about credit plans at your vet's. Or offer to work off the expense of the surgery in exchange for some service the vet clinic might need done for them.
If you are breeding and selling puppies or kittens, you must be willing to take responsibility for the entire life of each and every animal that you bring into the world, from the day they are born until the day that they die. Only breed your animals if their genes will contribute to the betterment of their species, and when there are sufficient homes ready and waiting for their puppies and kittens. Include a spay/neuter clause in your sales contract, with a financial incentive for the new owner to follow through on having their dog or cat sterilized. Make sure prospective owners will properly care for their new pet. Follow-up frequently with families that adopt your puppies or kittens. Be willing to take back pets that former owners no longer want.

Whenever you are in contact with an owner who has chosen not to neuter their pet, talk to them in a positive manner about the benefits of sterilization. Ask them if they know how many animals are killed each day, week or month because no one wants to assume responsibility for their care.

Read up on what happens to abandoned or carelessly adopted animals. Be armed with the alarming facts and pass on this information to anyone who will listen. Talk about this problem until someone hears what you have to say and they in turn take action.

While the task of reducing the amount of unwanted pets may seem overwhelming, each of us can do at least one thing that will make a difference. If we can help even one person's pet not to reproduce, that is a positive impact. That person in turn can pass on what they learn and maybe stop one more unplanned litter from being born. Those are steps in the right direction. And a journey of a thousand miles begins with a first, single step. Now, start walking.