Spring Break
Humane Society reports more strays, urges spaying of pets
Shannon Hurley
Issue date: 12/10/07 Section: News
Pet overpopulation in Colorado persists despite strong efforts made by the state government and area shelters.
The establishment of The Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund (CPOF) by the Colorado State Legislature in 2001 has made significant contributions in reducing the number of euthanized animals due to random breeding. Donations made to the fund support the promotion and financing of spay and neuter surgeries as well as public education for responsible pet ownership in Colorado. The voluntary charitable fund, however, can only do so much.
The increasing pet population has been especially obvious in Larimer County. "We do have a pet overpopulation problem in northern Colorado," said Cary Rentola of the Larimer Humane Society, "we are seeing an increase in the number of animals that are coming to us."
The greater number of stray and relinquished pets is disheartening considering the energy and resources the shelter has put into eradicating the problem.
"We spend a lot of time trying to educate about spay and neutering and really doing everything we can to make sure that animals in this community are spayed and neutered," said Rentola, adding, "Some people see it as a costly expense to pet ownership but you're choosing to be a pet owner."
Amanda Arnce, a junior speech communication major realizes the importance of spaying and neutering for her pets. "All my dogs are [neutered] because I think it's important to control the pet population. I have no intention of breeding," said Arnce.
From January to October of this year, the Larimer Humane Society has taken in over 3,400 dogs and 3,500 cats, the majority of which were unaltered. Spaying and neutering a dog or cat is a necessary measure to pet ownership today, as the Larimer Humane Society estimates that 70,000 puppies and kittens are born each day in the United States.
Smaller shelters, such as the Fort Collins Cat Rescue, have also felt the implications of pet overpopulation in the local community, driving the "no-kill" rescue to expand and open a Spay-Neuter Clinic.
The establishment of The Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund (CPOF) by the Colorado State Legislature in 2001 has made significant contributions in reducing the number of euthanized animals due to random breeding. Donations made to the fund support the promotion and financing of spay and neuter surgeries as well as public education for responsible pet ownership in Colorado. The voluntary charitable fund, however, can only do so much.
The increasing pet population has been especially obvious in Larimer County. "We do have a pet overpopulation problem in northern Colorado," said Cary Rentola of the Larimer Humane Society, "we are seeing an increase in the number of animals that are coming to us."
The greater number of stray and relinquished pets is disheartening considering the energy and resources the shelter has put into eradicating the problem.
"We spend a lot of time trying to educate about spay and neutering and really doing everything we can to make sure that animals in this community are spayed and neutered," said Rentola, adding, "Some people see it as a costly expense to pet ownership but you're choosing to be a pet owner."
Amanda Arnce, a junior speech communication major realizes the importance of spaying and neutering for her pets. "All my dogs are [neutered] because I think it's important to control the pet population. I have no intention of breeding," said Arnce.
From January to October of this year, the Larimer Humane Society has taken in over 3,400 dogs and 3,500 cats, the majority of which were unaltered. Spaying and neutering a dog or cat is a necessary measure to pet ownership today, as the Larimer Humane Society estimates that 70,000 puppies and kittens are born each day in the United States.
Smaller shelters, such as the Fort Collins Cat Rescue, have also felt the implications of pet overpopulation in the local community, driving the "no-kill" rescue to expand and open a Spay-Neuter Clinic.
Be the first to comment on this story