The United States receives about 6.5 million companion animals each year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). There are about 3.2 million cats and about 3.3 million dogs among them. Most of these animals are stray, owner-returned, or have been saved from harsh conditions. The number of animals who are put to death in shelters each year is startling, but there is some good news: this figure has been progressively dropping in recent years. This development is partly attributable to the rise in rescue groups that try to remove animals from shelters and place them in devoted homes.
California topped the list of states with the most rescue canines. The ASPCA estimates that there are about 1.2 million dogs in California shelters, with about half of them being put to death every year. California, however, is home to a sizable number of rescue groups that work relentlessly to save these pets and find them permanent homes. These groups include the San Diego Humane Society, the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, and the SPCA Los Angeles.
Texas, Florida, and New York are among states with a significant rescue dog population. With over 365 shelters and rescue groups spread out across the state, Texas has the most animal shelters in the nation. Around 1.2 million dogs and cats are put to death in Texas shelters each year, making it the state with the most instances of animal euthanasia in the US, according to the Texas Humane Legislative Network. The Austin Humane Society and the Houston SPCA are just two of the several rescue groups in Texas that seek to save animals from these facilities and find them loving homes.
Regarding the questions that follow, there aren’t many people who die from cats every year; only a few deaths have been documented globally. There are almost 400 million cats in the country, and every day, 70,000 kittens are born. Finally, the ASPCA, which was established in 1866 and is dedicated to stopping animal cruelty and finding homes for unwanted animals, is a real organization.
In conclusion, despite the overwhelming amount of animals that are euthanized each year, there are numerous rescue groups all over the nation that work tirelessly to save these animals and place them in loving homes. Consider adopting a rescue dog or cat from your neighborhood animal shelter or rescue group if you’re thinking about expanding your household. In addition to providing an animal a second chance at life, you will also be contributing to the decrease in the annual number of animals put to death in shelters.