California is facing a serious pet overpopulation crisis that demands immediate attention. Recent articles in the Register shed light on the distressing situation in our county-run animal shelters, reminding us of the urgent need for action. Despite dedicated efforts over the past two decades, the pandemic has dealt a significant blow to our progress. Pparticularly Teri Sforza’s piece from May 2023, titled “More adult dogs dying at OC Animal Care, kennels largely off-limits,” and Steve Greenhut’s recent op-ed, “Animal officials promise compassion, but offer euthanasia.”
With over twenty years dedicated to addressing the pet overpopulation crisis in California shelters and rescues, I can attest that the pandemic has significantly set back our progress.
We must refuse to accept the deteriorating shelter conditions as the new normal. These animals rely on us to advocate for them.
As Mr. Greenhut points out, the impact of the current situation extends beyond the animals themselves. Low morale and high turnover among veterinarians and staff are evident. Witnessing healthy and loving animals being surrendered and then euthanized takes a toll on the emotional well-being of everyone involved. It’s a situation that affects anyone with a compassionate heart.
We cannot afford to accept the current state of shelters as the new normal. These animals rely on us to speak up for them since they cannot advocate for themselves. It’s not just about the animals; the morale of shelter staff is suffering, and turnover rates are high.
Proposals to ease pandemic-related restrictions in shelters are steps in the right direction. Opening doors for walk-ins and facilitating meet-and-greets with potential adopters can make a real difference by increasing adoptions and reducing euthanasia rates.
However, we must tackle the root causes of the problem. As one advocate wisely said,
The only way to end the cycle is to address the root causes. Make spay and neuter services available everywhere. Enact local breeding laws and enforce ones at the state level. On the demand side, spread the word that adopting is always the way to go.
Educating people about alternatives to surrendering their pets is crucial. Additionally, we need to address the issue of breeders and buyers. Efforts to expand access to spay and neuter programs and restrict the sale of mill-bred animals have been steps in the right direction.
But we need to go further. We must ensure that high-volume spay and neuter programs are readily available to everyone. Long-term solutions require us to address breeding practices and promote adoption as the primary option for pet acquisition.
It’s clear that adoption alone will not solve the crisis. We need comprehensive measures, including making spay and neuter services widely accessible and enforcing breeding laws. Only then can we break the cycle of pet overpopulation and ensure a better future for our furry friends.
Summary of Paid Article: https://www.ocregister.com/2023/12/15/judie-mancuso-california-must-stop-the-pet-animal-overpopulation-crisis/