Overpopulation in domestic animals

Overpopulation in domestic animals refers to a surplus of domestic animals, such as cats, dogs, and exotic animals. In the United States, an estimated 6 to 8 million animals are brought to shelters each year, of which an estimated 3 to 4 million are subsequently euthanized, including 2.7 million considered healthy and adoptable. Euthanasia numbers have declined from the 1970s, when U.S. shelters euthanized an estimated 12 to 20 million animals. Most humane societies, animal shelters and rescue groups urge animal caregivers to have their animals spayed or neutered to prevent the births of unwanted and accidental litters that could contribute to this dynamic.

Critics such as Nathan Winograd of the No Kill Advocacy Center argue that overpopulation is a myth and logical fallacy, which many animal control agencies use to avoid criticism for high numbers of killings and low numbers of adoptions. Winograd argues that traditional shelters kill animals primarily out of habit and convenience, even when space is available for the animals. When shelters implement methods outlined in the No Kill Equation, such as trap-neuter-return for stray and feral cats, Winograd asserts that they have been able to save all healthy and treatable animals, and raise their save rates to at least 90% of all impounded animals. In October 2014, the website "Out the Front Door" documented 212 communities in the U.S. saving more than 90% of impounded animals.

Estimates of animals brought to shelters and of animals subsequently euthanized in the U.S. have issues with their reliability. The Humane Society of the United States provides shelter statistics with this caution: "There is no central data reporting system for U.S. animal shelters and rescues. These estimates are based on information provided by the (former) National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy." The HSUS provided numbers of 6 to 8 million animals taken to shelters, 3 to 4 million animals euthanized, and 2.7 million of the euthanized animals being healthy and adoptable, as estimates for 2012-2013, and also for annual figures in an August 2014 article.

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