The Euthanasia Problem: Why Adopting a Dog Matters
Adopting a dog can be a life-changing experience, both for the dog and the adopter. However, the unfortunate reality is that not enough people adopt from shelters. While buying from a breeder is a personal choice, it does inadvertently contribute to the euthanasia problem in our country. At Charlie Mike, we adopt dogs to save their lives and the lives of homeless animals around them. Here’s why we think you should adopt, too.
The Euthanasia Problem in the U.S.
Approximately 3.3 million dogs enter animal shelters every year. Many of these dogs are strays, but even more are surrenders. Owners can surrender their dogs for a number of reasons, but the majority include housing and financial changes that force owners to give up their pets. The Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) notes that: “Pets are relinquished to shelters for reasons related to the owner’s circumstances at roughly a ratio of 3 to 1 as compared to reasons specific to the animal. Unlike what many may believe, the animal’s behavior is not a leading reason for surrender.”
Out of those who arrive at shelters, about 1.6 million are adopted, and around 670,000 are euthanized. This means that around 20% of the dogs who enter shelters are put down. While euthanization has decreased 74% over the past decade–from 2.6 million deaths in 2011 to around 670,000 in 2021–it is still a significant issue that needs to be addressed.
Around 20% of the dogs who enter animal shelters are put down.
What’s even more unsettling is that because there is no federal mandate that requires animal shelters to report their performance, it is up to states and municipalities to decide if and how they want to track this data. Very few states require state-level reporting and those that do often collect different data. In other words, it is possible that the euthanization rate estimated by various humane societies is inaccurate. The euthanasia problem could very well be worse than what the industry suggests.
Why Do Euthanizations Happen?
In some cases, shelters have to put down animals that are irreversibly sick or injured. The primary reason for euthanasia, however, is overpopulation. When animal intake increases and when adoption rates stay the same–or even decrease–in an area, staff may be left with no option but to euthanize. By putting down older animals who haven’t been adopted, they can make room for incoming animals. With homeless animals outnumbering homeless people 5 to 1, it should be no surprise that small, government-funded shelters lack the capacity to support all of them. In fact, the number of homeless animals overwhelms these underequipped shelters. The BFAS did a study in 2021 and learned that 87% of shelters are understaffed. Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough funding, staff or space in animal shelters to support this huge community of stray and surrendered pets.
Where are Euthanization Rates the Worst?
In 2021, BFAS also reported that six states accounted for over 50% of all cats and dogs killed in America. North Carolina was third on that list with 28,790 euthanizations, and Florida followed closely with 22,616. At Charlie Mike, we have focused our adoption efforts in these two states. So far, we have rescued multiple dogs, provided them with medical care and training, and paired them with companion-seeking veterans. We carefully select and evaluate each dog we adopt to ensure that they are a perfect fit for our Canine Battle Buddies program. And through this process, Charlie Mike saves dogs that could have otherwise been euthanized.
The Best Friends Animal Society is still unsure as to why the South Central (Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas) and the Southeastern (South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi) regions have the highest euthanization rates. It could be that in these areas natural disasters occur more frequently and separate pets from their owners more often. It could also be that there is a profound lack of pet care resources there. Any number of reasons like these could lead to overcrowded animal shelters and increased euthanization rates.
St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, September 15, 2005 – A young dog, separated from owners and left to roam the streets without shelter or food, sits with U.S. Army soldier. Hurricane Katrina affected thousands of animals in this way.
Why Should You Adopt?
96% of Americans say that humans have a moral duty to protect animals and that we should create laws to enforce this. Although political advocacy is important in the fight against euthanasia, the most meaningful thing you can do is adopt. By adopting your pet from a shelter, you are saving a life and creating space for other animals in need. Adoption directly reduces the euthanization rate in this way.
Besides being the right thing to do, adoption is the cheaper alternative to purchasing from a breeder. According to the ASPCA, the average cost of adopting a dog from a shelter is around $150. This cost typically includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations and other necessary medical care. 65% of owners even report getting their rescue dog for free. On the other hand, purchasing a dog from a breeder can cost a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Adoption makes a difference in a dog’s life, while also making a marked difference in your own. If you are a veteran considering dog adoption, check out our Battle Buddies program. At Charlie Mike, we essentially save two lives at once. By rescuing a dog and then connecting them with a veteran, we work to lower the euthanization rate among dogs and the suicide rate among veterans. If you know a veteran who might be interested in adopting a Battle Buddy, share our Instagram and Facebook with them, and encourage them to check out the dogs we’ve rescued at Charlie Mike!
