Doggone Facts
Did you know.....
- For a great article about Pit Bulls, see L.A. Times titled:
"Pit Bulls Out of the Doghouse."
- American taxpayers spend approximately two billion dollars a year to shelter, euthanize and dispose of three to four million unadopted dogs and cats.
- While approximately 575 dogs are adopted from Los Angeles shelters weekly, approximately 500 are euthanized each week in the greater Los Angeles area.
- Only 1 in 10 dogs in the United States lives in a permanent, loving home.
14% of pets come from shelters.
- 48% of pets are strays or come from friends or rescuers.
4000-6000 animal shelters exist in the United States.
- 25% of dogs in Shelters are pure-bred. Animals sold in pet-shops, or by breeding organizations are not protected under the Animal Welfare Act. The AWA excludes 'retail pet stores,' thus the animals are 'commodities' and not pets.
In Los Angeles, a multitude of rescue groups work tirelessly to remedy this challenging situation. They visit overburdened shelters removing as many animals as possible to their own no-kill facilities. While they spare unadopted dogs from a certain death, they lack the funds to provide them with a proper life. Before a rescued dog is ready for adoption, it must be cleaned, housed, fed and given necessary veterinary care.
Undoubtedly, moving from shelter to Rescue Society is a step in the right direction. But the final step, that of finding a permanent, loving home, is frequently not realized. This crucial step is often only a few dollars away.
