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Animal Overpopulation

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The myth of pet overpopulation is a huge campaign that’s considered truth nationwide. The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) explains this myth and why it’s used. Activists use the myth to put all blame of animal shelter death on breeders. Radical groups perpetuate this myth by making breeding restrictions. This myth is the biggest cause of euthanizing healthy, adoptable animals. Per year, about 3.1 million dogs are adopted while 2.1 million are euthanized. However, this number for euthanized dogs is not broken down by reasoning for euthanization. Overpopulation propagandists often claims this number reaches over 6 million each year. While shelters heavily euthanize adoptable dogs and breeders increasingly use puppy mills, each area across …show more content…

“An Evaluation of a Behavior Assessment to Determine the Suitability of Shelter Dogs for Rehoming” documents the problems with existing behavior tests in adoption shelters. This was an evaluation of 236 sheltered dogs. Only 130 of them passed, with 82 failing the test. Owners who adopted passing dogs reported that these tests didn’t predict responses to people effectively. Most tests focus on aggression. Shelter behavior assessments were shown as inadequate in this study. Typical behaviors for a dog in a shelter are not the same at a home. It also varies on owner acceptance of certain canine behaviors, so the definition of a “perfect” dog varies. Veterinary Medicine International argues, “... the shelter could relax the criteria for passing the behavioral assessment and successfully continue to rehome dogs” (A.T. Lisle et. al.). This study proves that assessments in shelters testing for adoptability are inaccurate and …show more content…

“PETA’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad History of Killing Animals” describes PETA’s adoption rate of 2.5% even though they proclaim dedication to animal life. PETA euthanizes a huge majority of animals they take in. Although they don’t turn away any animal, other kill shelters still have much higher adoption rates, including ones that use euthanasia. In fact, they claim most animals unadoptable and kill them within 24 hours of receiving them. PETA claims they euthanize out of love and to ease suffering. They also blame pet overpopulation for their high kill rate. Nathan Winograd claims PETA’s founder was disturbed and built the organization with a foundation of killing animals. Newkirk, the founder, even admitted to killing adoptable animals. A PETA veterinarian said under oath that PETA has been given healthy, adoptable dogs that they soon euthanized. James McWilliams of The Atlantic explained, “Out of the 760 dogs impounded, they killed 713… As for cats, they impounded 1,211, euthanized 1,198, transferred eight, and found homes for a grand total of five. PETA also took in 58 other companion animals--including rabbits. It killed 54 of them.” PETA is an unethical organization that shames no-kill shelters despite their adoption rate of 2.5

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