Pet Population

     I have worked with and around animals for much of my life.  I have learned how to care for them: train them, condition them behaviorally, general health awareness.  As I became a trainer, I was reminded frequently that for all the issues I helped find solutions for the owners, I was helping save that dog from going to the pound.

     When I worked for a large company, I donated a few dollars from each paycheck to "save a homeless pet".  I was made aware that as a corporation it had saved "1 Million Lives and Counting!" through donations.  I saw the adoption groups that came into the stores on weekends with dozens of puppies, kittens, dogs and cats desperately searching for homes.  If I had completed my other duties, I would help the groups by holding a leash, or talking to shoppers about the joys of rescuing a dog, and how I loved my rescued dog.

Photos by PawsThenPlay courtesy of Gaston Animal Control

     When I worked for a small company,  I was too bogged down helping start the business to give much thought to rescue at all.  I was the only employee in the company. Our main focus HAD to be finding paying clients to start the new company.  One time the company decided to help a rescue by boarding and training a dog for a month at a slightly reduced rate.  The owner decided it was too much hassle when the potential adopters backed out suddenly at the completion of the training period.

     If I thought about it much at all, I figured I was "doing my part" to help stray and surrendered animals in my area by helping problem-solve for dogs to KEEP their places with the families they had.  


     What a minuscule piece I was contributing.  The problem is so much larger.  






A study done in 1993 showed that about 70% of people in the area surveyed were unaware of the pet overpopulation in their local area.

Do you know about the pet population in your city?  In Charlotte, North Carolina, one estimate is  162,482.341 pets.

Last year in Mecklenburg County, NC 17,880 animals were listed as "Incoming" to the Animal Care and Control facility.  Over 60% of those animals had to be euthanized.

It is estimated that $2 billion of taxpayer monies are used yearly to try to contain the serious animal overpopulation in the United States.

In the US, for every human infant born, there are approximately 7 puppies or kittens being born, and each day, approximately 10,000 humans are born.

There are local low cost and FREE spay and neuter clinics in Charlotte, and Gaston County (and many other places, but I looked up with ones were closest to me just to verify they existed).  There are also clinics for vaccinations.

     These are just a few of the numbers I pulled.  The links are listed below.  The reason rescue organizations can only save a few is because there are simply TOO MANY.  Until more people realize the gravity of the situation, and take decisive measures to control animal populations, there will continue to be millions of animals killed each year in shelters.  Please, spay and neuter your pets.

Sources:
 Public Data from the US Census Bureau
 Formula to calculate pet population from the American Veterinary Medical Association 
 Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control
 Humane Society of the United States
 Thebillfoundation
 Humane Society Animal League for Life of Madison County


*As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions.  click here for my e-mail address.

Re-Homing a Dog

An owner surrender at the Gaston County Animal Control 

     Since I began my career working with dogs, on average once a month I have the same request.  Someone knows someone who needs to find a home for their dog, can I help?  Usually it is because the person is moving, and "cannot take the dog with" them.  At times there has been a job loss, divorce, death, addition to or illness in the family.  Many are very worthy causes for stress.  But "Owner-surrendered" dogs typically have a pretty hard time, even if they find a new home relatively quickly.


     When I was left living alone in a three-bedroom townhouse that I could scarcely afford, I also worried about my pets.  At that time I had my Brutus, a hound mix, two corn snakes, two cats, and two leopard geckos.  The costs of food, vet bills and supplies to maintain these animals was a stretch some months, but manageable with two roommates.  As I struggled to find less costly living space, I found many people who were not open to my animals living at their property.  Those that were, had very high deposits to be paid for each animal.  So I kept looking.  I understand how difficult it can be when life throws a curve ball.  


     What I also knew, from working with animals, is that it is very difficult to find new homes quickly for displaced animals. There seems to be a general assumption that if the dog is purebred or young it should be very easy to just magically find someone who is willing to take them into their home.  At the shelter I visited last week, there were many pure-bred dogs (by appearance), as well as puppies.  Of those dogs I visited with, the majority were scheduled to be euthanized, due to lack of available space in the facility.  

Another owner surrender at Gaston County A.C.

     In the area of North Carolina that I live in, there are many rescue groups that are very active and effective.  I have seen firsthand how hard working and determined they are!  I have watched them save lives, nurse puppies and dogs back to health, and find loving homes for dozens of dogs.  But as diligently as they strive, there are just too many dogs that need homes.  Even with the hundreds of volunteers (rescue workers often do NOT get paid for their efforts!) donating many hours per day, weeks, months and years on end, there is still not enough time, space, people, or money.


     Dogs that have been abandoned or surrendered always experience stress from the separation from their original owner(s).  This period of transition lasts 3-6 months.  Some show this by becoming hyperactive, others lethargic.  Depending on the age and temperament of the dog, loss of personal attention (shelters and rescues are often overcrowded, with minimal time left for one-on-one interactions since the focus is to first provide for basic needs such as food and medical care) can permanently affect their personalities, and their future behavior patterns.


     When the lucky dogs go to foster homes, or their new families, they go through the transition process all over again.  Loss of confidence and lack of consistency in performance are very common as a dog is being introduced to a new household.  Dogs that appear "Meek" and "Mellow" are not actually low-key, but stressed while experiencing the transition.  The opposite can also happen- some dogs become overly alert or aggressive.  As they become more accustomed to the new surrounds, different behavior patterns will be displayed.  

A purebred Rottweiler at Gaston County A.C.

     I have two adopted dogs of my own, and cannot afford any more pets in my household at this time.  I have been unemployed since the end of February, and am struggling to make ends meet, but I will NOT consider leaving either of my dogs behind.  I see the stress it would put them through, and the high likelihood that it would be a death sentence for them both.  








     Unfortunately, I cannot personally do anything to help people re-home their dogs other than wish them good luck.  I pass along rescue groups' information, in the hopes that they have the manpower, funding and space to better assist those in need.  Thank goodness there are many in this area that do everything they can to help.  Please urge your friends and family to carefully consider all options before adopting or purchasing an animal, to prevent having to attempt to re-home an animal.