Good questions Ros! The traditional model for managing “extra” dogs and cats in most cities has been to kill them. Chicago euthanized more than 40,000 dogs and cats in 1997, the year PAWS Chicago was founded. In 2006, that number was 19,000. I think that’s still 19,000 too many. All of the animals that end up in the gas chamber were once adorable puppies and kittens, and because there aren’t enough humans to properly care for them, they met a sad fate. This ordinance would require licensing for professional breeders, so dog shows would be unaffected.
Did you hear Oprah got a new dog? She got Sadie at PAWS! The idea behind the ordinance is to make breeders be responsible (which many already are) and to eliminate, say, a dogfighting ring from producing its own fighters. Right now, I am fostering a beautiful purebred Pug named Ryno. He is nine years old and his family didn’t want him any more, they wanted a younger dog. I’ve seen and heard some pretty terrible things that people do to dogs and cats, and that’s why I believe a good solution is to prevent the circumstances that cause these wonderful pets to end up euthanized, bait in a dogfight, abused or starved.
It’s not stupid or cliche to be moved by a beloved pet giving birth. It’s just a sad fact that right now, for every puppy you find a good home for, there are thousands others that have nowhere to go. So, the fewer puppies and kittens that are born, the more likely we are to find homes for the thousands of animals we already have!
Take a look at they are a fantastic organization and have tons of great information about how we as a society can improve the way we care for our pets.
