These stats are for the dogs

Calling all animal lovers: we've still got a lot of work to do.

Whether you are a dog, cat, bird, turtle or iguana person, you need to know the current euthanasia rates in the U.S. so that you can help in the fight against the needless deaths of animals. 5 million dogs and cats are put to death every year in this country. 25 years ago, it was 17 million. Yes - this is tremendous progress...mostly thanks to the work of organizations like Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org) who have spent the last quarter century working with shelters all across the country to educate communities about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets, and TNR (trap-neuter-return) for feral cat communities. Unfortunately, the number has hovered around 5 million for the last few years and isn't budging. By the way, that's 575 animals PER HOUR.

The problem? Best Friends knows that euthanized animals fall into four categories now: cats, "bully breed" dogs (Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, etc.), the consequences of puppy mill dogs, and pets that are abandoned by their own families. Through Best Friends' goal of No More Homeless Pets (their mission since their founding 25 years ago), they plan to launch 4 new campaigns aimed at these categories.

I just rescued a German Shepherd/Terrier puppy from doggie death row in September, and feel like we won the dog lottery - she's just such a gentle and loving addition to our family. But if I hadn't seen the e-mail that day, her fate would have been much different. If you feel like I do, that 5 million companion animal deaths each year is unacceptable, then please do what you can to help. Tell your friends. How many people know these statistics? Do people really know that buying an animal from a breeder costs that animal they could have rescued instead its life? Do they know that they can visit www.petfinder.com and search for the exact breed, age, gender of their desired animal by zip code (and yes, there are TONS of pure breeds - another misnomer).

Many of us were passionate about the recent election. We're passionate about green energy or other social issues. Let's channel that passion into fighting for the animals. Be outraged. Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Become a member of Best Friends. Add a shelter animal to your family. You'll get so much more in return.