To learn about our spay/neuter services, click here.
Pet overpopulation is a serious problem. It costs the lives of millions of animals and costs communities millions of dollars a year.
Nationwide, the number of pets entering animal shelters is estimated to be 6 to 8 million. Only about 30 percent of dogs and 2 – 5 percent of cats are reclaimed by owners. Only about half of those remaining are adopted to new homes. The number of pets euthanized in shelters across the country is 3 to 4 million. (Estimates provided by The Humane Society of the United States.)
In Colorado alone, 164,988 cats and dogs entered shelters and rescue groups in 2008. In the metro-Denver area, 61,034 were received at 10 shelters. Seventy-five percent of these pets were placed in homes or reunited with owners, but 14,359 were euthanized (8,454 cats; 5,905 dogs).
The Dumb Friends League is working with other shelters and animal welfare organizations to reduce the number of unwanted litters that are born, increase the number of lost pets that are rehomed and increase the number of relinquished pets adopted to new homes.
Here are some of the things we are doing:
- We spay/neuter all cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets that we adopt to new homes – more than 9,000 surgeries every year. W
e spay/neuter these animals as early as 8 weeks of age. We started early-age spay/neuter in 1989. Similar practices are in place at other shelters in the metro area. - We offer spay/neuter surgeries for cats and dogs belonging to people in underserved areas of metro Denver on the Lulu Mobile and the Meow Mobile. The Meow Mobile operates in partnership with the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Association. More than 6,000 cats and dogs were spayed/neutered in 2008 on these two vehicles.
- We support the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund, which provides spay/neuter and education programs through a check-off on Colorado tax returns.
- Together with the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society and members of the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance, we offer free microchip identification implants in 2009 to owned cats belonging to people in the six-county metro Denver area. More lost cats in shelters will be returned home when more are chipped. For information, see CHIPYOURCAT.COM.
- We provide humane education programs in schools, stressing the importance of spaying/neutering family pets.
- Working with community partners, we help create comprehensive solutions to the problem of pet overpopulation through legislation. In 2008, this collaboration resulted in the passage of a statewide mandatory spay/neuter law, applicable to all shelters and rescue groups. In 2009, we are spearheading legislation that will require cat owners in urban areas of Colorado to place collars and tags on their cats or have them microchipped. The purpose is to improve the numbers of lost cats returned to owners.
- We collaborate with local, state and national organizations, including the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance, which is a group of 20 animal care and welfare organizations working together to save the lives of all healthy or treatable dogs and cats that enter metro-area shelters and to keep them in good homes for life.
- We’re proud of what we have accomplished so far, but more needs to be done. Click here to view our statistics.
Here’s what you can do to help:
- Spay and neuter your own pets and make sure they wear identification. Learn more at CHIPYOURCAT.COM.
- Give generously. Your donations to the Dumb Friends League are appreciated and are the basis for everything we accomplish on behalf of the animals. We are a private, nonprofit organization. We spend an average of $300 on every pet adopted, over and above the fee paid by the patron. Click here to make a secure online donation.
- Tell friends and co-workers that the best place to adopt a pet is at a shelter. Wonderful animals are available, and organizations like ours offer health services, training opportunities and one-on-one behavior advice. Click here to see available pets at our shelters.
- Support the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund through the check-off on your Colorado income tax form. The fund helps bring spay/neuter programs and education to communities throughout our state.
- Never buy a pet from a pet store or sight unseen from an Internet site. These pets may come from large-scale breeding operations. Click here to learn more about puppy mills.
- Support legislation to control commercial breeders.
- Only purchase pet supplies from sources that do not sell animals, including small mammals, birds and reptiles.
- Be informed about local laws and tell others. Denver and Aurora have ordinances requiring that cats and dogs over 6 months be spayed/neutered. Westminster levies a stiff fine on owners of un-neutered dogs and cats found “running at large.” Fort Collins requires that pets wear identification or be microchipped.
- Don’t support the greyhound racing industry. This cruel and inhumane “sport” is now illegal in 35 states.
- Promote the Dumb Friends League through your professional association, service club or your child’s Scout troup or 4-H Club. We welcome the chance to present educational programs.