By: Julianna Palffy

Overpopulation in animal shelters is a serious issue in the United States. It occurs when animal shelters across the nation become overcrowded with homeless, lost, or unwanted pets such as cats and dogs. The most commonly used solution to controlling overpopulation in animal shelters is euthanasia. Another solution that is widely recommended by animal advocates yet is not commonly practiced in shelters is spaying/neutering the animals.

According to national data estimates by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 2016, about 6.5 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters each year and approximately 1.5 million of those cats and dogs are euthanized to make space for more incoming animals. Out of all the animals that enter shelters each year, about 10% of them are neutered or spayed. Additionally, a 2016 research study done by the American Humane Association suggests that about 7% to 20% of pets that are bought or adopted are no longer living in that home after six months. These undesired animals contribute to the issue of overcrowding in shelters.

Animal shelters in the U.S. have used euthanasia as a solution to overpopulation for decades. According to a 1970s study by the Humane Society of the United States, about 12 to 20 million cats and dogs were euthanized annually. However, as the years have gone by, the number of animals entering shelters and being euthanized has slowly decreased. According to national data estimates by the Humane Society of the United States in 2014, about 6 to 8 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters each year and approximately 2.7 million of those cats and dogs are euthanized. Recent studies, such as the ASPCA’s 2016 data estimates, further suggest that the number of animals entering shelters and being euthanized continues to decrease.

Animal protection organizations, such as the American Humane Association and the Humane Society of the United States, support the spaying or neutering of animals over euthanasia as a solution to overpopulation. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that spaying and neutering pets are essential for controlling animal overpopulation. The animal rights organization PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, believes euthanasia to be the most compassionate solution to animal overpopulation so animals can be at peace instead of living in fear at a shelter.