Why animals have to die

I will get back to some upbeat blogs next time, but this one topic continues to tug at me. When I first began to realize that advocating for animals is what I was missing in my life, I watched a video of animals being euthanized at a shelter.

I balled my eyes out and also seeing it firsthand put me at some level of morbid peace - that I knew how quickly and peacefully animals in shelters are put to sleep. Still, as I watched adorable dogs and cats - that anyone would have wanted if they were in a pet-store window - slowly slip into a forever sleep, I couldn't help but decide that I wanted to make sure that someday it all wouldn't exist.

So, why do all of these animals have to die? Chris Hoar, the founder of Pet Pardons (a Facebook community that strives to help shelter pets find homes), wrote in a recent blog, there are basically four reasons. I feel like he says it best, so I've copied his words below in the numbered segments 1-4.

1 - Breeders & Puppy Mills
Despite the massive overpopulation of pets in America the breeders and the puppy mills churn out pets 24 hours a day to make a buck, or in many cases, a lot of bucks. The way to shut down the breeders and the puppy mills is simple, just Adopt from your local Shelter or Rescue instead of buying from a pet store or breeder.

2 - Failure to Spay/Neuter
People who fail to spay/neuter their pets are another huge part of the overpopulation problem. Cats and dog, left unfixed, will breed. Unless you want 10 new cats of your own, or 8 new puppies, then get your pets fixed because if you do not then the chances are that most of those little ones will end up right here on Pet Pardons with a kill date.

3 - Owner Surrender
If you have kids you make plans for them in case something happens to you. If you have pets you must do the same thing, otherwise, again, they end up at the Shelter with a kill date. If you cannot afford to keep a pet then do not get one in the first place. A pet is a lifetime commitment not a disposable fashion accessory.

4 - People Who Buy Pets
When you buy a pet, no matter where you buy that pet from, you are supporting the breeders and the puppy mill owners. Please, never ever buy, always Adopt, I promise you that whatever pet you want there is one waiting for you in a shelter or rescue today. If you have never Adopted a pet then you have missed out on the most amazing feeling, it's that feeling of saving a life. Ask anyone who has done it, they will tell you the same, that pet will repay you with a lifetime of love and affection.

I see pet overpopulation as any issue, it must all begin with each of us.

If we each understand the issue and encourage other people to adopt and politely explain the importance of adoption (and never, ever buying an animal), we will make a difference.

One by one we will rescue animals from shelters.
One by one we will discourage breeders.
One by one we will change people's perceptions.

One by one we will change the world.