"I think about a sweet little black lab who stayed up for adoption for two months … She looked at me with her big, brown, trusting eyes, gave me her paw when I asked for it, and licked my face while I injected her with euthanasia solution."
The above confession of a eutha nasia technician on an animal advo cacy blog shows how widespread the devastating effects of animal overpopulation can be. While the overpopulation of unwanted animals is clearly a problem that needs to be addressed, another problem that should be addressed is how we irre sponsibly address the problem of unwanted animals.
The Humane Society of the United States estimates that of the 6 to 8 million dogs and cats brought to shelters each year, about 50 percent of them are euthanized. The state of California alone spends $250,000 a year euthanizing 500,000 animals.
According to a study conducted by Charlie Reeve, Ph.D. of Purdue University and Steven Rogelberg, Ph.D. of Bowling Green State University, "The influence that eutha nasia-related stress holds on animal shelter employees can jeopardize their well-being on and off the job."
Los Angelesis trying to address the issue of unwanted animals anoth er way. At two recent town hall meet ings, city council members discussed with residents the possibility of rais ing the legal limit of dogs and/or cats that any one residence can own from three to five of each..." More
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