Kill Rate Soars In The OC
This is a very sad report out of Orange County, CA where the kill rate has skyrocketed as the housing slump worsens.
Just as the County of Orange rejected a mandatory spay/neuter law for pets, statistics show a 21 percent leap in the number of unwanted animals killed at the Orange County Animal Shelter over the past year, and a 3 percent drop in adoptions.
The terrible economy is partly to blame, said shelter spokesman Ryan Drabek. When money gets tight, the expense of a pet can be hard to justify. And when people lose their homes, it can be hard to find pet-friendly new digs. It’s not just a phenomenon here; it’s happening all over the place as the economy tanks, Drabek said.
* In 2006-07, the county euthanized 12,068 unwanted animals.
* In 2007-08, the county euthanized 14,642 unwanted animals.
As it mentions in the article, this is a national phenomenon, happening around the country. There are so many wonderful dogs in shelters around the country waiting for their forever home.
October is American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month, so if you’ve ever thought about doing so this would be a great time. Isn’t it time to add a furry tail wagging bundle of unconditional love into your household?
If any Dogsters have adopted a new best friend because of American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month give us a bark and share your story.
WOW that is a sad and starling statistic. I would never ever surrender Coco, I would go without before I let something I love so very much go to a shelter and possibly get euthanized.
That is such a sad statistic, it would be great it there was another answer for state/county run shelters to deal with this crisis, I have to agree with Barack Obama and hold off on any foreclosures for the next three months. Perhaps it would allow a turn around in our country.
Awww. My sister lives in the OC. I really wish I could adopt a dog, but I can’t get another as much as I’d like to.
People make so easy to solve a problem by killing,yes.I have killed too but it was in combat to survive. WE HAVE A CHOICE WHEN IT COMES TO KILLING ANIMALS OR MAN BUT KEEP IN MIND WE HAVE MADE IT SO EASY TO KILL ANIMALS THAT WHEN TIMES GET REALLY HARD MAN WILL DO THE SAME TO MAN AND MAKE EXCUSES THAT SOUND GOOD FOR DOING IT.
WE FIND MONEY TO COVER UP CEO’S MISTAKES AND POLITICAL PEOPLE,WE FIND MONEY TO FIGHT A WAR WE SHOULD NOT HAVE WENT INTO. HOW ABOUT FINDING MONEY TO HELP ANIMALS. MAN WILL DESTROY HIMSELF AND EVERYTHING AROUND HIM,
NO KILL POLICY OR WE WILL KILL EVERYTHING. WHAT IF THIS IS A TEST FROM GOD, WE FAILED !!!!!
How bizarre to see the apparently obligatory reference to mandatory s/n, as if that had ANYTHING to do with this story. Does the writer think that if MSN had passed, owners wouldn’t be giving up their pets??? If anything it highlights that the way to stop killing is to help owners keep their pets in tragic times.
WELL SAID CHAD!!
MSN and AB1634 are/wer attempts by extremists to force altering on everyone. Although every shelter has slightly different problems, LA (Boks) ignores the source of 50% of the incoming dogs, South Shelter/doesn’t put the free/low cost altering out there. Now Petsmart is injecting $13.8million but that’s not the city/county doing that. Research shows that the highest kill rates are coming from the lowest economic areas, which have the highest rate of non altered animals. All funds need to be targeted there. Contrary to popular nonsense, the majority of non-adopted shelter dogs are med-large breed male juvenile, mixed breed dogs 1.5-2.5yr, often with issues, which were result of unplanned ties, not planned breeding by a dog breeder, AND feral cats. Ferals can be 70% of animals killed in shelters. Targeting “MSN” to solve problems only causes more animals to die, bec. it’s cheaper for poorer people to let the animal go than to get another animal. They don’t have the $ to pay surrender fees, impound fees and altering. Losing a house may cause an increase, but MSN will cause far more death than that. Ask Nathan Winograd.
Is this a politcal arena or have we got so consumed with everything but the pets. Everyone reading thios post is hearby sentenced to carry out 8 hours of community service either at your local pet shelter or through your local pet charities. You must complete this service free of any charges and before December 31, 2008. Again, that is 8 hours of community service at your local pet shelter or through your local pet charity. This will allow your fingers some rest from typing on blogs all day in addition your actually doing something about this problem then blowing hot steam. 8 hours of services free of charge at your local pet shelter or pet charity. Besides, you will feel good paying it forward!! If you complete this and I can verify it, I will give you 40% off any of my pet products or donate to your charity you support!! Thanks in advance….OOD KARMA PET PEOPLE