What is the Dog Crisis?
what is the dog crisis?
For the first time,
dogs are the most
euthanized animal at the shelter.
Dog euthanasia rates are at a 3 year high:
+ 24% increase from 2022 and
+ 64% increase from 2021.
In 2023, 3.3 million dogs entered the shelters:
25% were surrendered by families
48% were found as strays (many will collars on)
almost 400,00 dogs are euthanized a year.
Shelters are currently at overcapacity.
Rescues are currently overwhelmed.
Adoption and fosters have flatlined.
We have reached critical levels in animal shelters and rescues nationwide.
The only option is to euthanize healthy, adoptable dogs.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
The dog crisis in America is fueled by several factors:
The pet population jumped 4% in 2020 (vs. a historic trend of 1%).
The demand for dogs in Covid led to an increase in breeding.
A lack of strict breeding regulations allows for
unchecked breeding practices to continue.
Economic hardship and housing insecurity:
Owners are surrendering or
dumping their dogs.
Landlords continue to have dog restrictions.
Adoptions have flatlined.
Not enough low fee spay/ neuter clinics or
regulation of spay/neuter laws.
A single female can have two litters of eight puppies each year.
It is estimated that each female can give rise to 67,000 dogs if all her puppies also reproduce.
Purchasing dogs from breeders instead of adopting from shelters perpetuates the cycle of overpopulation and euthanasia.
Addressing these issues requires a collective effort to promote responsible pet ownership, support adoption initiatives, and implement stricter regulations to stop overbreeding.