March 11, 2017
How Much is that Dog in the Window?
Kayson Carlin
Bowling Green State University
Pets are beloved members of our family. We play with them, care for them, and live with them just like a human relative. While many families in the United States have pets, such as dogs and cats, there is still an alarming number of these animals on the streets. The overpopulation of stray animals is a hidden epidemic in our neighborhoods. Humans look the other way when it comes to our furry friends, simply because of ignorance. The truth is that there’s a staggering number of domestic pets that are either homeless or waiting in shelters for euthanasia. The population has exceeded what shelters, rescues, and animal lovers can work with. Though there are solutions to this problem such as inexpensive spaying and neutering, or increased awareness, there is a big solution that needs to be worked toward; the elimination of puppy mills and backyard breeders. But first, the main cause needs to be explored.
Although there are a combination of causes that have resulted in pet overpopulation, the existence of “retail pets” is a major contributor. People buy from pet stores, aka puppy mills. A puppy mill refers to “high volume breeding operations populated by poorly treated dogs that are bred at every opportunity, caged their entire life, and that receive minimal health care.” Hundreds of thousands of puppies are born from mills where adult dogs are bred until they die. Then they’re sold to pet stores in malls and shopping centers where people frequent, advertised as designer dogs or specially trained. This “supply and demand” of buying a “purebred” or “novelty” pet keeps operations like these in business. These “businesses” flood the nation with more, unhealthy pets, when there are already so many waiting in shelters. In the past there have been half-hearted attempts to eradicate these places, but obviously have not worked. Other routes have been explored to combat this issue.
A simple solution to help control the pet overpopulation is increased spaying and neutering of all domestic animals. This will prevent litters of cats and dogs occurring. Currently, these surgeries are not cheap, ranging anywhere from $50 to $200. Owners may not have the ability to pay for such expenses, especially in hard economic times. An option would be wider availability of low-cost spays/neuters. Inner cities and poverty stricken neighborhoods should be focused on, with opportunities for discounts and vouchers in those areas, as they are the most disadvantaged when it comes to financial ability. However, these programs have not worked as efficiently as planned due to lack of awareness and education of the benefits of fixing pets. If no one is informed of the overpopulation situation, or the need for spays/neuters, society will remain blissfully ignorant of this issue.
Another solution that ties in with the previous statement, is increased education of this beneficial procedure. Some owners do not fully understand the importance of fixing their pets, or want their pet to have a litter just to fawn over the babies. While this is their choice, there needs to be an awareness to make an informed decision when it comes to breeding. This includes education on both the overpopulation issue as well as health benefits by having pets fixed. According to the ASPCA, “Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.” It is evident that this prevents unwanted litters, as well as prolonging the life and health of your pet. Owners should also learn of the unintended consequences of their actions when it comes to breeding, including the possible fate the litters face such as increased homelessness, shelter residence, and even death. Unfortunately, even with responsible owners, there is still too many domestic animals sick and without homes.
The main solution to this heartbreaking issue is shutting down puppy mills. An Albany Law Review from 2011 states “The Humane Society of the United States estimates that in 2009 approximately one-third of the nine-thousand pet stores across the country sold puppy mill born puppies and that between two and four million puppies produced by puppy mills are sold each year.” Yet millions of dogs and cats find themselves in shelters, not including those who live on the streets. While waiting in these shelters to find a home, many are euthanized due to space. When an animal is bought from a pet store, another one in a shelter is effectively handed a death sentence. Not only is this atrocious, it demonstrates the massive influx of unnecessary retail pets, way more than what humans can properly attend to. A solid plan to eradicate backyard breeders and puppy mills is needed. This can be done with the help of state or federal funds, or even donations from pet-friendly businesses and animal advocacy groups. Forming a task force with said funds to investigate and close these businesses is greatly needed, along with imposing harsher penalties for offenders. Everything must be done to deter these operations from springing up in the first place. It would also be beneficial to ban pet stores from selling cats and dogs, and instead cooperate with the local humane society to foster animals currently up for adoption. The Humane Society in Dayton, Ohio has adopted this practice and provides a proven example in the real world. A local newspaper quoted the director of the shelter saying “last year we had maybe 300 cats adopted in our humane society building, and 1,500 at outside locations.” This is a step in the right direction, and shows that it is economically beneficial to cities, companies, and would-be pet owners.
Those in favor of breeders and puppy mills claim that these places are not harmful to the animals. Furthermore, they provide specially raised, sought after pets per breed and/or training. They assert that the operations merely accommodate for the supply and demand of pets, a cornerstone of our capitalistic economy. However, those who make these claims are deeply misinformed.
There is a difference between legitimate, licensed breeders and backyard/puppy mill operations. Licensed breeders are approved by law to properly care for animals, and play a major role in preserving the integrity of the breed, by genetics. They also provide highly trained animals for use in medical services, law enforcement, and competitive show. Under the radar operations are not approved and often abuse their animals for the sake of turning profits. Ill and poorly trained, the animals are also used in scams to deceive people who are willing to pay big money for quality, not just for show dogs but service dogs as well. They irresponsibly churn out way more puppies and kittens than what can be contained and taken care of, without concern for the well being of both mother and babies. They have been condemned by governments all over the world as ethically immoral and illegal.
This is a problem that breaks the hearts of animal lovers everywhere. One would think that humans would take more responsibility for something they have attributed to. Nonetheless we have a duty as the dominant species. There is hope, especially for future generations of pets. Complete eradication of puppy mills and backyard breeders will drastically reduce the enormous number of homeless animals. With the help of the local and federal government, and engaging the public with resources, domestic pets all over the country will have higher odds of having a home, thus reducing the overall population. There is still a ways to go to achieve this long-term goal, but it is definitely within possibility. After all, we love the animals in our lives, and they deserve it.
Works Cited
ASPCA. (2017). Spay/Neuter Your Pet. Retrieved from aspca.org: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet
Kenny, K. (2011). A Local Approach to a National Problem: Ordinances as a Means of Curbing Puppy Mill Production and Pet Overpopulation. Albany Law Review, 379-406.
Specialty Retail. (2009, Spring). Dayton Mall Purr-fect Setting for Meowza Cat Boutique. Dayton Daily News.
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