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Erin Callahan
DeBock
English 4
7 November 2014
Domestic Animal Overpopulation
Domestic animal overpopulation is a serious problem in the United States that grows
every day. Animal overpopulation happens when there are too many pets than families that want
to house them. It may not seem like a big problem, but when you are aware of how these sentient
being are mistreated it makes you question if what we do to help overpopulation is even
ethical. Animal overpopulation has many causes, but they all link back to us, the people, and
how we treat our pets. Animal owners, shelters, and adoption centers should work harder to
reduce domestic animal overpopulation, because these animals are uncared for and many are
euthanized every day.
Firstly, pet overpopulation occurs when there are more pets than homes that will house
them. However according to Sexton, A percentage of available homes only want pets of a
specific size, age, breed or appearance so the term overpopulation is not necessarily accurate.
The pets that do not meet that criteria are the ones that end up on the streets, in shelters, or they
get euthanized. About 4 million animals are euthanized each year because there are not enough
homes that are willing to care for them (Sexton). Pets are sold for commercial use which means
that specific animal types and breeds are more popular than others. The commercial pet industry
is supported by consumers who prefer to care for purebred animals to those offered by shelters
and adoption agencies (Issitt). As the need for pets go up, so does overpopulation.

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Secondly, the United States currently has more than 10 million pets without care and
housing (Issitt). The root of this growing problem is us, the people. Despite the demand for pets,
millions of animals are killed or abandoned each year, Rich states. Some people are not
responsible enough to take on the responsibilities of taking care of a pet. By adopting an animal,
the person is making a commitment to feed, shelter, and care for that animal for the rest of its
life; to do otherwise is unethical (Rich). Even though this is true, millions of pets and their
offspring are abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Some are taken to shelters which is not
much better because if no one adopts them within a certain period of time they will be
euthanized to bring in more arrivals.
The problem of domestic animal overpopulation is one that we have to work to prevent.
Sexton states, The average cat can produce two litters of six kittens per year and a dog can
produce one litter of six or more puppies per year. Some pet owners are not able to take care of
the children that their animal may create, and they may resort to giving these offspring to shelters
or even abandoning them. One method of prevention is sterilization which prevents the animal
from creating offspring. Most animal shelters and adoption agencies urge pet owners to have
their pets spayed or neutered to prevent accidental litters of unwanted and potentially homeless
animals (Sexton). Our mission is to educate the community about these methods to prevent this
from happening. In 1964 the ASPCA began to promote sterilization of all pets and this effort to
control domestic animal overpopulation continues today (Sexton). Most states have some sort of
sterilization law in hopes to reduce this problem.
Animal owners, shelters and adoption centers should work harder to reduce animal
overpopulation to keep these animals safe. The smallest thing someone can do to help this
problem is to get their pet sterilized. Animal overpopulation has been a problem for a long time,

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and it is our job to prevent it. We need to be sure that no one gets a pet unless they are sure they
will feed, shelter and care for it for the rest of its life. Most organizations already prefer and
promote that people get their pets spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters of offspring.
Doing the smallest thing can help save domestic animals from homelessness and euthanasia.

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Works Cited
Issitt, Micah, and David C. Morley. "Counterpoint: Domestic Animal Overpopulation Leads To
Ecological Destruction."Points Of View: Domestic Animal Overpopulation (2014): 3.
Points of View Reference Center. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
Rich, Alex K., and Laura Finley. "Point: Overpopulation Of Domestic Animals Is Harmful To
Animals." Points Of View: Domestic Animal Overpopulation (2014): 2. Points of View
Reference Center. Web. 9 Oct. 2014.
Sexton, Jennifer, and Tom Warhol. "Domestic Animal Overpopulation: An Overview." Points
Of View: Domestic Animal Overpopulation (2014): 1. Points of View Reference Center.
Web. 7 Oct. 2014.