Abuse Prevention Foundation works together with Animal Services in Utah to Donate Time and Funds for Animal Rehabilitation Music

Many animals enter the shelters every year and of those many are euthanized. The HSUS estimates that animal shelters care for 6-8 million dogs and cats every year in the United States, and approximately 3-4 million are euthanized. There is no central agency that collects data so these are estimated numbers. Asilomaraccords.org is working to develop a more accurate accounting of the numbers. Many are asking their local shelters to report their data to this agency. Number have drastically reduced since the 1970's when estimates were of 12-20 million dogs and cats were euthanized. This is great progress and many are working together to continue the decline in these numbers.

Some interesting statistics:

Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million

Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 50% of dogs and 70% of cats in shelters

Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year: 3-4 million

Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year: Between 600,000 and 750,000—30 percent of dogs and 2-5 percent of cats entering shelters

Number of animal shelters in the United States: Between 4,000 and 6,000

Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25 percent

Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3

Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6

Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2

Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10

To help in lowering these statistics there are many things that can be done. The focus needs to be on the root of the homeless animal population by educating pet owners and helping them deal with behavior problems and other issues so pets remain a part of the family for life. Encouraging spaying and neutering helps reduce overpopulation, prmoting adoption from shelters and rescues also help to end these problems. Supporting legislation on mass breeding of dogs in puppy mills and the prosecution of animal abuse incidents are other important pieces of ending the abuse and neglect of animals. The Abuse Prevention Foundation worked hard to gather donations so Salt Lake Animal Services could install a new sound system. We also donated many CD's with calming dog and cat music so that all the animals could hear music in their kennels. We noticed that when we played various meditation music, the barking and anxious dogs seemed to mellow and many of the cats fell asleep. The Abuse Prevention Foundation will continue to work with local and national animal organizations to promote improved and humane conditions and educate the general public about animal issues.

On average cats are only kept 60 days and depending on their aggressiveness, dogs are only kept a mere 3-10 days. Studies have proven time and time again that cat and dog owners are happier people. So go save and adopt a pet and let them light up your life!!

Stats provided by National Council on pet population study and policy at http://www.petpopulation.org/