• jeffw@lemmy.worldOPM
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    7 months ago

    Actually, the number of euthanized animals annually has plummeted from like 20+ million a year 50 years ago to close to the 1-3 million iirc. The problem has gone down despite increasing inequity

    • gregorum@lemm.ee
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      7 months ago

      Oh, sure, because many more shelters are no-kill shelters. That just makes the burden in the shelters greater— caring for all the animals.

      • Drusas@kbin.run
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        7 months ago

        It’s also due to increased efforts to get people to spay and neuter their pets, including reduced cost and free sterilization programs.

        • etceterar@kbin.social
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          7 months ago

          The cost isn’t reduced anymore, and that’s another contributor to this problem. $300 for a neuter, $550 to get shots and a neuter for a stray at local veterinary offices. You have to find a non-profit doing low-cost operations to get a cat neutered for under $150 in my state. Insurance in the veterinary market was a truly cruel and stupid idea.

      • jeffw@lemmy.worldOPM
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        7 months ago

        I don’t think that’s it actually. There are fewer animals abandoned because of greater awareness of spaying and neutering and also more charities dedicated to moving pets around the USA. Traditionally, a lot of animals were killed down south, where strays are more of an issue. Now people pay to ship the animals up north where there’s demand.