Spring puts pressure on dog population

More people consider getting dogs during spring and summer, but the supply outweighs demand.

Warm weather signals blooming flowers, chirping birds and a sudden proliferation of pets popping up everywhere -- either in ads offering them "free to a good home" or roaming the streets.

The spring and summer seasons -- which coincide with the most fertile stage in the reproductive cycle of dogs -- also prompt many families to become interested in a new pet, especially purebreds, but supply outweighs demand.

Animal shelters, already overcrowded, become inundated with even more animals every week. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that somewhere between 6 million and 8 million pets are homeless.

So how can you help and still make the best choice for your family? For those who prefer purebreds but aren't picky about age, or for anyone who wants to give a homeless animal a second chance, breed rescue groups or animal shelters are happy to help.

Shelters have purebreds

Making that final decision might lead you to an animal shelter.

"More than a thousand animals that came in were unwanted," Pulaski County Humane Society Executive Director Rebecca English said of the number of pets brought to the shelter in 2005. Several of those were purebred dogs.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 25 percent of dogs in shelters across the country are purebreds. Locally, English said purebreds usually account for roughly 30 percent to 35 percent of the dogs at the Dublin shelter.

On March 8, there were at least four dogs at the shelter that appeared to be purebred, including two pit bulls, one yellow Labrador retriever and one husky. Given these numbers, English said that she and other shelter volunteers wonder why people breed certain dogs.

"We just feel like there are enough animals already in our county, so until we're not killing any animals, we're not real fond of breeding," she said.

Nancy Luz, a five-year volunteer at Floyd County Animal Shelter, expressed similar frustration.
"You get breeders who just breed and sell to anybody. Then there's the backyard breeders ... who have been breeding every season. That's horrible," she said.

In an effort to lower their euthanasia rates, 14 new kennels and eight puppy pens were recently added at the Pulaski shelter.

One section of these new kennels will be deemed "rescue row," holding dogs that will not be euthanized. Although this will save the lives of certain animals, English said the high percentage of un-neutered male dogs coming into the shelter is a sign of the main problem.

"Until you really have an aggressive spay and neuter program in your community, the numbers are going to stay the same, or increase a little bit," she said.

Luz added that making the public aware of their effect on animal welfare will also help halt overpopulation. "Educating people to understand that they have a responsibility to these animals" is of utmost importance, she said.

Bucky Nester, the head animal control officer for Floyd County, said some people underestimate how much work owning a dog can be.

"You've got to train them, try to teach them a few manners, not to be rough with the kids; you can teach the dogs this. They don't work with the dog enough to educate them. Then they bring it in and say they can't keep the dog anymore."

When it comes to addressing the specific problems with purebred overpopulation, the Pulaski shelter deals with several breed rescue organizations, including the Mid Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue.

Although English would prefer that potential dog owners visit a rescue or shelter first, she said she can see the merits of responsible breeding, and understands that overpopulation problems are the result of irresponsible breeding and ownership.

Luz also expressed a tentative appreciation for responsible breeding, but with some caveats.

"That's highly admirable, but that's not the norm," Luz said about the practices of responsible breeders.

"I know they're out there, but we clearly see a lot of the other end of it," she said. "I understand that it's a necessary evil, and that's how I view it.

"You might want a purebred, and there are reputable breeders that you can get them from. But you still wind up with a lot of purebreds in the animal shelters."

Reference: www.roanoke.com

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