It's pet overpopulation information week:
HSUS Pet Overpopulation Estimates

• Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 8-10 million (HSUS estimate)
• Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 4-5 million (HSUS estimate)
• Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year: 3-5 million (HSUS estimate)
• Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year: Between 600 and 750 thousand (15% of animals entering shelters (HSUS estimate))

• Number of animal shelters in the United States: Between 4 and 6 thousand (HSUS estimate)
• Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25 percent (HSUS estimate)
• Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
• Average number of animals in an average feline litter: 4-6 In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.
• Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
• Average number of animals in an average canine litter: 6-10 In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.

So please, have your pets (indoor and outdoor) spayed or neutered. Rescue workers around the world spend their lives worrying about careless breeding, why not spare us a moment of grief and do your part?

Most shelters offer low-cost spaying and neutering. Don't be afraid to ask about these programs. They also have low-cost heartworm and flea preventatives. That's where we stock up now.