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The population of stray cats and dogs is staggering and the
problem is caused 100% by lazy, heartless human beings. As
if local "shelters" weren't already inundated with
these helpless animals, they also take in a large quantity
of relinquished pets.
Before you decide to "get rid of" or "abandon"
your beloved family pet because someone has allergies, there
is a new baby, your new significant other doesn't like animals,
or you move to a place that doesn't allow pets, please keep
in mind the chances are very, very likely that your pet will
be MURDERED.
Killings at Local Shelters
Annual euthanization (murder) at Harris County's five primary
animal shelters*:
|
Facility
|
Animal Intake
|
Murders
|
PERCENT OF
MURDERS
|
|
Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care
(city shelter)
|
18,139
|
17,043
|
94%
|
|
Houston Humane Society
|
13,675
|
11,750
|
85%
|
|
Harris County Rabies/Animal Control
(county shelter)
|
22,008**
|
11,212
|
83%
|
|
Houston Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
|
42,420
|
28,863
|
68%
|
|
Citizens for Animal Protection
|
12,802
|
6,481
|
51%
|
| |
|
|
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* Statistics are from 2003,
except for HSPCA's which are from 2002.
**Intake of dogs and cats.
Sources: Harris County Spay-Neuter Assistance Program,
Animal People trade newspaper, Citizens for Animal Protection,
Houston Humane Society. |
Many people seem to be under the impression that places
like the SPCA and Houston Humane are no-kill. As you read
above, that could not be further from the truth. Every time
an animal is relinquished to one of these facilities, another
animal has to be murdered to make room. Or if the relinquished
animal is an older adult, largely considered "unadoptable",
it will be murdered. Often this will happen before you are
even out the door. Take a moment to think how terrified they
must feel to be taken from the comfort and warmth of their
home to a cold, steely facility and to spend the last few
minutes of their lives with a complete stranger who murders
them and then tosses their body into a freezer.
We understand that sometimes there are genuinely legitimate
reasons why a family pet must be relinquished. As the only
100% no-kill facility in the area, Whiskerville wants
to help. But please keep in mind, especially with older pets,
that we will be caring for them for the rest of their lives.
And please understand that a lifetime of food and medical
care costs money. And, unlike the above facilities, we receive
NO state, county or local funding. Surely a pet who has loved
you and/or your family unconditionally, whether it be for
a few months or many years, is worth the effort and reasonable
expense of ensuring they will be properly cared for and loved
for the rest of their lives.
Please carefully consider the above statistics before making
the decision to dump your pet at a so-called "shelter".
We hope you find this as disturbing, disgusting and heartbreaking
as we do.
And, finally, PLEASE spay and neuter your pets!
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