FAQ'S

Frequently Asked Question on Pet Overpopulation

by Bob Christiansen

How do we end pet overpopulation?

BC It's a very complex subject. It is like a calculus problem as opposed to simple math. There are different events that are happening at the same time that all contribute to the end result. If the answers were simple, the problem would have been solved long ago. The good news is the answers are at hand, we just need to work the plan. We need to understand that multiple programs are necessary. Generally speaking, these programs are comprehensive spay/neuter programs to align the supply with the demand, pet retention to keep pets from coming out of homes (includes microchips, pre-adoption testing, training, behavior problem intervention), feral cat spay/neuter programs that trap, vaccinate, alter, release, aggressive adoption and pet rental programs.  Each one of these programs are important however special emphasis should be placed on the needs of people who are financially unable to obtain spay/neuter. It is vitally important the government understand and support these programs.

Why did you write Save Our Strays?

BC I am deeply disturbed by the millions of pet animals that are being destroyed in our nation shelters. What is more troubling is our inability as concerned animal people to unite and solve the problem. I meet wonderful people who share my concern. I know them as breeders, trainers, groomers, shelter workers, dog writers, rescuers, veterinarians and animal control employees. These animal people know the potential of these wonderful creatures. Unfortunately, we can't find common ground, form coalitions, develop constituencies  and work to prevent the mistreatment of these animals.

I believe if we keep the dialogue focused on scientific, objective findings we can reach common ground "for the animals."

Why can't we all get along?

BC I have spent over a year researching the dynamics of surplus pets. I believe in order to solve a problem you must first be able to define the problem — accurately. I have found the pet overpopulation problem is poorly defined. As a result, well-meaning but ill-informed people apply their resources in nonproductive areas. There are many myths that create nonproductive impediments to working together.

What is an example of a myth that keeps us divided?

BC The most common myth that separates us all is this: There are too many pets and not enough homes. The fact is, concerning dogs, we are very close to aligning the supply with the demand in most metropolitan areas. Past attempts to solve the problem have unjustly vilified responsible breeders. What critics fail to realize is there is public demand for purebred dogs to the tune of 6.5 million per year. Aggressive anti-breeding ordinances only serve to drive out responsible breeders who are quickly replaced by charlatans who avoid the law — people who produce inferior stock, are more than willing to supply the demand and cut corners to make a quick buck. The demand for purebred dogs will be supplied. It's just a matter of from whom. Do we want responsible breeders or do we want charlatans?

Concerning cats, overpopulation is caused from the feral, free-roaming unowned colonies.

Which bring up the second greatest myth, If people don't get a purebred they will get a shelter pet.

BC It's possible to increase market share for shelter dogs if aggressive marketing is used. But it is unrealistic to think that if breeding is stopped, than everyone would seek a shelter pet. The public will always demand purebred dogs. 84% of the public want a pet under one year of age. Consistently, purebred dogs are about 55% of the market. The purebred dog people have done a better job at marketing their product than have shelters. They are both wonderful types of pets. The humane ethic encompasses all animals.
I wrote a book Choosing & Caring for a Shelter Dog to encourage more adoptions. Unfortunately, the public has negative perceptions of animal shelters and as a result, only 12% to 14% of dogs and cats are acquired from shelter facilities. Isn't it amazing that pet stores like PetSmart and Petco have adopted over a million animals. It shows the public will respond when animals are presented positively.

How many purebred puppies go into shelters?

According to Gary Patronek, a professor who specializes in pet overpopulation issues, approximately 400,000 purebred puppies enter shelters. This represents less than .005% of all dogs in the United States.

What do you mean a lack of definition?

BC The  terms used regarding pet overpopulation are nebulous. They are not clearly defined. For instance, some people define breeders as anyone who produces a litter, without distinguishing between intentional and accidental breeding, responsible or fast-buck breeders. About 45% of puppy litters are from unintentional mating. The main causes of accidental litters are procrastination (why early-age spay/neuter is promoted) and money (why low-cost clinics and vouchers are promoted) There are effective means of dealing with accidental breeding.

Our number 1 problem is stray dogs and cats. This is not a breeder problem. This is a owner retention problem that requires a different solution than a population problem.

These problems cannot be properly addressed until they are accurately defined. For close to 30 years now the animal shelter community has only one answer to the problem, curtail breeding. This one answer approach has not worked. The arguments against responsible breeders have been based on subjective, anecdotal information. These arguments are not rooted in good science. In effect we are trying to throw out the baby with the bath water.

Are responsible dog breeders blameless?

No. They are not the main reason why dogs are dying in shelters in 1999 but breeders do contribute to the problem by failing to develop certification and accreditation for community breeders. They need to develop kennel inspections, sanctions and peer review boards similar to other professional service providers, especially for commercial kennels.
They need to consult with purebred rescues to gain clearance and approval. They need to be firm on ethical standards, in particular the one that states they must always be available to take back a relinquished pet no matter what the age.
The American Kennel Club is only a registry, period. This responsibility falls to local all-breed clubs. Technological developments in the form of DNA testing and microchips can help recognize responsible breeding practices.

Why hasn't there been better study of the problem?

BC The most disturbing fact is that objective, scientific information on pet overpopulation issues has been published and ignored because it hasn't conformed with peoples ideological perspectives. This valuable information has not filtered down to community leaders so that programs can be developed to effectively address the situation based on research study. As a result, communities are not properly organized or positioned to respond to animal needs.

For instance, the two biggest problems we face are pet retention and litters produced by feral, free-roaming, unowned cats that are supplying 70% of the kittens to American households. Everyone has heard of kitten season right! So what are we doing about it? The answer is very little. We have no organized programs in place to address these animal needs.

We have been so successful with the saying "Pet overpopulation, spay/neuter" we can't convince people (or institutions) there are other major factors that require resource allocation.

Additionally, major fundraising campaigns have centered on breeding issues. Major organization find it hard and financially risky to change their idiom.

So where are we at now with pet overpopulation?

Dog and cat euthanasia rates leveled off at about 5% of the owned population from 1993 to 1996. I am now seeing a slight rise in euthanasia rates for dogs. There are higher impoundment and euthanasia rates in rural communities where there are strong agricultural influences.
Furthermore, my studies show a saturation rate regarding community spay/neuter rates. Unless, proactive intervention programs are developed to address these factors, we will continue to kill about 5% of the nations pet population annually.

What are some of your major revelations?

My studies indicate that dog overpopulation in major cities and metro areas, as measured by the amounts of puppies that enter shelters, is very slight (although some pocket are still present). The vast majorities of dogs coming into shelters are from 6 months to 18 months of age and were "owned." Intentional breeding of pedigreed dogs and cats plays a very small role in the pet overpopulation equation.

Despite these finding, aggressive anti-breeding legislation is still advocated by radical groups intent on eliminating breeders. National euthanasia reduction efforts have historically focused on the supply portion of the equation. Major efforts are made to prohibit breeding and encourage spay/neuter surgery. However, we could spay/neuter 100% of the animals and still euthanize millions of dogs and cats in this country.

These anti-breeding programs actually become lethal for pets in low-income households. Low-income people cannot afford to spay/neuter. They cannot afford fines. They run-scared of authority and fail to participate in the system, even low-cost programs because they are afraid of being caught. We must keep in mind that breeding comes from only 3% to 4% of all dog owning households.

Most of these dogs are kept outdoors for protection purposes. They are intact and easily accessed by neighborhood dogs looking to satisfy their mating instincts. The resultant litters are usually dogs that are large, mongrel, guard type dogs that are less desired by the general public.

A lack of pet retention is another major cause of canine deaths. This implies irresponsible pet acquisition, lack of knowledge of training and a failure to identify the pet. 

Can you share some of your finding that contradict conventional thinking?

• License programs that provide tags as a means for identification are a FAILURE. Every city in America has these programs. There is a critical need to develop license programs that use a permanent means of identification (microchips) for dogs along with providing visual identification (dog tags). Approximately 60% to 75% of dogs and cats enter shelters without identification. A microchip program would return lost pets home, would reduce the stress on shelters, foster responsible pet ownership, provide a means to track congenital diseases and track owner's of vicious dogs who allow their dogs to roam and cause bodily harm to humans. If such a program was developed, millions of pets could be saved.

• Animal control shelters see the largest number of animals in a community. There is an inability of animal control shelter organizations to reduce euthanasia's by increasing dog and cat adoptions and returning animals to owners. Dogs and cats are coming into shelters at a far greater rate than a shelter's ability to rehome them. Shelter personnel work to the best extent of their capabilities but there is limited funding and negative public perceptions that are difficult to overcome. Most large volume shelters have increased exposures to disease, with many animals succumbing to disease acquired after they were impounded.
  Kill rates have been reduced over the last thirty years because fewer animals enter shelters. Out of ten dogs that enter a shelter, 2.5 dogs will be adopted, 1.5 will be returned to owners and 6 will be euthanized. Out of ten cats, 2 will be adopted and 8 will be killed, 2 out-of-a-hundred will be returned to their owners. Progressive shelters are striking low-cost or free transfer agreements with rescue organizations who are more equipped to rehome animals.

• Governments are under-funding animal control programs. The funding for these programs are mainly provided by dog licenses, dog impoundment and adoption fees. When forced to compete with funding for people programs, animal programs are historically under-funded. In the absence of proper funding, animal control departments will perform basic triage tasks prioritized by their mission of keeping the public safe from animals and protecting the public health. Animal welfare will suffer. In the absence of proactive animal welfare programs, departments will continue to maintain the animal carrying capacity of the community by killing surplus animals.

• Unaltered free-roaming cats are rapidly reproducing and they provide the main source of kittens in American households. Domestic owned cats do not reproduce fast enough and account for only 35% of the kittens necessary to maintain zero population growth. Despite the fact that pedigree cats only account for 3% to 4% of all cats, pedigree cat breeders have been inaccurately portrayed as overpopulation culprits. In fact, there is a decreased risk of euthanasia factor for these cats and they do not pose an animal control problem.
  In my opinion,  Feral, free-roming unaltered cats are the greatest humane challenge of our day.

• Most shelter animals die because once they go into a shelter the odds of coming out are slim because 1) the public desires animals less than one year of age (84%), 2) negative perceptions of shelter animals, 3) the public's failure to overcome negative emotions relating to visiting animal shelters. 4) low demand for large, mixed-breed dogs and mature cats. Poor health conditions in large animal control shelters. Do to these facts, only 14% of dogs and 12% of cats are obtained at animal shelters nationally.

• Veterinarians play the single most important role in ending the surplus dog and cat tragedy. They have the power to influence pet owners. They hold the key role in preventing unwitting abuse and educating pet owners. They must recognize the fact that more companion animals are displaced from homes for being intact and prone to roam and mate. They also must realize that most animals are killed as a result of not having identification.  
  Veterinarians must use their knowledge and influence to be a resource to address behavior problems, insure the pet is properly integrated into the home and act to eliminate minor behavior problems during the crucial first six months of ownership.
  Veterinarians, together with nonprofit organizations must work together to reach those animals whose owners are not complying with their responsibilities because of limited financial means.