Owner Relinquishment Large numbers of animals are placed in shelters by pet owners each year for reasons such as moving, allergies, behavioral problems, and lack of time or money, or life events (marriage, birth of a new baby). During multiple interviews conducted by
Colorado State University graduates and other college graduates, over 3,000 pet owners were asked about their relinquishment of domestic animals. Among these owners, about 3,600 dogs and litters and 1,400 cats and litters had been relinquished. According to the university's research, some of the top 10 reasons for relinquishment were problems with other pets in the house, the owner having personal problems, landlords not allowing pets, and cost. The university found that the top reason for relinquishment is aggression towards people. Based on third party research conducted by
Canine Journal, it was found that 1 in 74 people will be a victim to dog bites. However, some breeds tend to bite more than other breeds. According to
ASPCA the two other major reasons for relinquishment, other than behavioral problems with the pet, are family situations and housing issues. Of these pets that are being "re-homed",
ASPCA provides statistics showing 37% of these pets are re-homed with a friend or family member. Shelters become the new "home" for 36% of relinquished pets, even though many people would want this to be their last resort. Each year 6.5 million domestic pets enter shelters, these shelters are being massively overwhelmed by the intake of animals. Most shelters are not capable of getting all of these animals adopted, which unfortunately leads to many animals being euthanized.
Unexpected Babies Some animal owners believe their female pets should have one litter before being spayed, although this offers no benefit for the animals, resulting in unwanted babies that can become strays. Others simply neglect to spay/neuter or delay the procedure until it is too late.
Lost Pets Pets may escape during stressful events, such as fireworks displays, when newly adopted, or when being cared for by a pet sitter. Pets also frequently get lost during natural disasters such as hurricanes.
Pet Hoarders Animal hoarding is one of the most common forms of animal cruelty in the U.S. and is considered an unintentional form of abuse resulting from
hoarding disorder. According to the ASPCA, about 250,000 animals per year in the United States are the victims of hoarding.
Hoarders own such a large number of animals that they are unable to provide them with basic care. This may result initially from "taking in strays or by failing, because of cost or other reasons, to have animals sterilized and, as a result, care for litter after litter of puppies or kittens” Most commonly affected animals are cats, followed by dogs, but other animals such as rabbits, horses, reptiles, birds, and exotics are hoarded as well. The CFA also says that cat overpopulation is due to free roaming, unaltered pet cats, and
feral cats, not purebreds. The best practices set by the AKC for responsible breeders include screening customers so animals are placed in a good home, and follow up services including collecting long-term health and development data about animals they have bred, and guaranteeing to take back any animals if their situation is not mutually beneficial for the pet and the owner, and then placing them in a new home. The AKC says that their organization serves to prevent
animal cruelty by suspending the benefits of their
breed registry and other services from members convicted of animal cruelty, and that their inspection program actively uncovers cases of inhumane treatment of dogs. The HSUS says the AKC has lobbied against laws to stop puppy mills, and that many of the breeders certified as humane by AKC inspectors were later convicted of animal cruelty offenses, while the AKC says it has favored legislation that is necessary, but worked to stop well-intentioned laws that are unenforceable or counterproductive, such as kennel population limits that may harm
genetic diversity. ==See also==