Overpopulation

Finding your passion in helping the animals
This piece originally appeared as a “Viewpoint” in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 10/28/05. By Vicki VanDenBerg, SPCA volunteer

Wet, sloppy kisses, cold noses, wagging tails & begging eyes. Dogs are my passion. Everything about dogs is interesting to me. Finding out why they act a certain way, making them happy with a tennis ball, going for walks, or just spending time with them is quality time.

My passion for dogs led me to be part of the start of the SPCA SWMI in 2001. I didn’t have any qualifications besides loving
dogs and living with a special one. My special dog, Red, was rescued from the pound where the man who was tasked with destroying him was procrastinating because he was such a good dog.

Q: How come Red was going to be destroyed? He was a sweet, purebred, yellow lab.
A: 20% of all dogs destroyed in pounds are purebred dogs. Red

Q: How many dogs, like my Red, are being destroyed in pounds each year?
A: In 2003, over 133,000 dogs & cats were destroyed in Michigan. Over half were less than 6 months old.
Q: Why do pounds exists?
A: Pounds are charged with dealing with the excess dogs and cats created by the public they serve. We are responsible.
Q: What is “pet overpopulation”?
A: Every “Oops, my cat or dog is pregnant again” creates more pets than there are homes for. Every “I bet I can get 200 bucks for your pups...” creates more pets than there are homes for.
Q: Can you solve pet overpopulation?
A: Yes. Spaying or neutering your pet contributes to the solution of pet overpopulation.
Q: How do you solve pet overpopulation in Southwest Michigan?
A: Studies have proven that pet overpopulation can be solved by spaying or neutering 70% of our pets! Once we reach that percentage, we will be able to convert our pounds into lost & found shelters. All pets should be spayed or neutered.
Q: If spaying and neutering pets solves the pet overpopulation problem, why isn’t everyone doing it?
A: No answer. I haven’t found it yet.

If you would like to turn your passion for cats and/or dogs into a volunteer pastime, there are qualifications you must meet. You must have a passion for dogs and/or cats, and you must be willing to ask: “How can I be part of the solution to pet overpopulation?” With these qualifications and a little spare time, you can turn your passion into something visible, something you can show to friends, something you can be proud of.