Moving and money among main reasons dogs and cats lose their homes.
Millions of animals are surrendered to animal shelters nationwide every year. No one knows for sure exactly how many, as there is no uniform reporting system.
Getting an accurate count is the goal of the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy (click here for more about their work). This organization, comprised of most of the country's major animal welfare organizations, is dedicated to gathering reliable statistics in hopes of tracking trends regarding euthanasia and failed human-animal companion relationships.
Or, in short, they want to figure out why some people give up their dogs and cats and others don't, with the goal of reducing pet homelessness.
One thing the council already has figured out are the reasons cats end up in shelters are, in some cases, quite different from those regarding dogs.
A cat, for example, is far more likely to get dumped because her owner has too many other felines.
A dog, on the other hand, may find himself at a shelter because his owner no longer has time to care for him -- something that cats rarely face.
Top on both lists, however, are issues involving moving, housing and cost of pet care. Which emphasizes once again: Before you take on the responsibility for an animal -- a commitment that will last for years -- think about if your lifestyle (and your income) is a fit with pet ownership.
Also: "No room for littermates" is on both the dog and cat lists. Spaying or neutering your pet takes care of this issue.
Here are the council's top 10 reasons that dogs and cats end up in shelters, taken from its survey of over 5,000 facilities:
DOGS
1. Moving
2. Landlord issues
3. Cost of pet maintenance
4. No time for pet
5. Inadequate facilities
6. Too many pets in home
7. Pet illness, medical
8. Personal problems
9. Biting
10. No home for littermates
CATS
1. Too many in house
2. Allergies
3. Moving
4. Cost of pet maintenance
5. Landlord issues
6. No home for littermates
7. House soiling
8. Personal problems
9. Inadequate facilities
10. Doesn't get along with other pets
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
You could combined reasons No. 3 and 7 and perhaps come up with No. 1. Lots of people just don't factor in the cost of having pets. I volunteer for a breed rescue, coordinating the incoming dogs we foster. I hear this often: "I can't afford to have the surgery.'' So they expect someone else will take their beloved dog and have it done for them. At least these people think to contact rescue. How many you reckon simply dump the dog at the pound?
Posted by: Dachsmack | July 18, 2008 6:41 PM