Last year 32,772 dogs were euthanized in VA alone. This is a site that will give you the stats by state or county. Next time you need to prove to someone that it's really not 'that big of a deal'.
http://www.virginia.gov/vdacs_ar/cgi-bin/Vdacs_search.cgi if there is one for VA chances are there is one for your state. VA isn't even one of the highest.
It's pretty discouraging to know that this is going on-we are starting to have many more 'no kill' shelters here in Canada, but the problem, as always, is exacerbated by ignorant pet owners, greedy puppy mill operators, and inadequate support for those on the front lines trying to help-it's so ironic that those of us who would love to own a companion animal , but who rent, are prevented from doing so, while people who happen to be landowners can abuse animals without detection or enforcement threats being taken seriously in most cases.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for what you are doing-wish more people would really hear it and do something about it..
I was lucky to find an organization to work with that gets their dogs during their last day at the pound, and keeps them until they are able to be placed. These statistics are depressing, but I think the larger problem are puppy mills that are just producing too many dogs too fast.
ReplyDeleteHow sad and truly terrible. :(
ReplyDeleteI wanted to add that my oldest fur baby came from PAL (Pet Assistance League) there in VA. That was 8 years ago and I couldn't imagine my life without her!