PAWS Academy: Kitten Palooza with PAWS Veterinarian Dr. Liz
June 2, 2020
Written by Madi Cook, PAWS Education Intern
Ten Weeks Of PAWS Academy!
This week we cover the steps to solving pet overpopulation, or in other words, the importance of spraying and neutering pets.
The Issue Of Pet Overpopulation
Pets are well loved, so much so that we have ended up with too many of them. While this may not seem like an issue, overpopulation of pets results in many living without safe homes and proper care. Every year in the United States alone, around six million dogs and cats end up in animal shelters. Every day in the United States alone, there is an estimated 70,000 pets born. Not to mention the countless number of pets that live as forgotten strays.
There is an argument that pet overpopulation is a natural occurrence and therefore it is not our responsibility to address it. However, when thinking back to the definition of a pet this idea is less persuasive. Pets are animals that humans over thousands of years have domesticated by choosing appealing traits. This process and goal resulted in companion animals that depend on humans for their needs. Pets are the product of human desire and would not exist without us. It is our obligation to take care of them and a big part of taking care of them is making sure that they have homes.
As discussed before, safety is one of animals eight basic needs. Unlike other animals, pets require living in a shelter with a care provider like an owner or animal shelter worker to be safe. With overpopulation many pets go without homes and live in dangerous situations. In this circumstance, pets experience a lower quality of life. Without human care other needs like food, water, respect, family and shelter also go unfulfilled.
The Solution to Pet Overpopulation
How can we solve this? The biggest difference you can make is to ensure your pets are spayed and neutered! Pets that are spayed and neutered cannot contribute to the increasing population of pets. Even if each potential kitten or puppy had a loving home to go to, there are many pets waiting in shelters to be adopted. From this perspective, spaying and neutering your pets indirectly helps other pets find homes. PAWS is passionate about animal welfare and does their part too. All pets that are adopted through PAWS are spayed or neutered before they go to their new homes.
Remember your choice matters! It could influence the people around you and make an even larger impact.
Insight From Dr. Liz
Check out this week’s PAWS Academy video to learn about pet overpopulation and veterinary work from Dr. Liz. Her expertise on the subject is irreplaceable!
This Week’s Activities
To test your knowledge on pet overpopulation you can visit paws.org/PAWSAcademy where you will find two sets of activities at different difficulty levels!
Continue To Learn With Us!
If you missed last week’s video on animal shelters check it out here and find out how they serve animals. You can also find any of our other videos or activities at paws.org/PAWSAcademy. Tune in next Wednesday at 12 p.m. PT for the eleventh PAWS Academy video and blog post on youth services and how you can get involved and make a difference in animals’ lives!
If you have any questions or suggestions you can reach us at [email protected].