Michigan Pet Fund

The answer that most folks would give is that there are not enough homes - - - overpopulation.  And that answer is somewhat true but not totally true…you see this year 17 million American families will bring a dog or cat into their home.  And if their first choice was a homeless shelter or rescue pet we would not be euthanizing 4 million dogs and cats each year.  Instead, we would reduce the demand of pets purchased from pet stores supplied by puppy mills or from breeders. 

So in reality there isn’t an “overpopulation” of animals.  There is just less demand for homeless shelter pets.

How do we increase the demand of shelter pets so we don’t have 118,000 cats and dogs killed each year in Michigan shelters?  There are some simple answers….

1.       Increase public awareness of dogs and cats available in shelters and from rescue organizations.  Shortly there will be nationally released Public Service Announcements on radio and TV.  These PSA are being sponsored by Maddies Fund to raise public awareness of homeless dogs and cats in shelters.  Hopefully they will work.

2.      Educate the general public that purebreds are available from shelters and rescues – Some people are attracted to a particular breed and believe that the only way to get one is through a pet store or breeder.  Anywhere from 25 – 30% of the animals in shelters are purebred.  In addition, there are breed specific rescue organizations.

3.      Incorporate 21^st of Century Best Practices into sheltering – These best practices include:  flexible shelter hours, a cheery atmosphere, use of foster homes, collaboration with rescue groups, spay/neuter prior to adoption,  use of volunteers, participation in adoption events, maximum use of marketing techniques – such as good written descriptions and photos of available pets on Pet Finder.

4.      Incorporation of 21^st Century Best Practices by Rescue Organizations – These best practices include:  A well managed/run organization that responds to inquiries.  A reasonable adoption application and adoption process – (more animals will find homes if the bar for a home is set at good – not perfect), spay/neuter prior to adoption, regular showings at adoption events, maximum use of marketing techniques – such as good written descriptions and photos of available pets on Pet Finder.

What ideas do you have?