Naperville — According to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (Va.), every hour in the U.S., more than 2,000 dogs and 3,500 cats are born, compared to 415 humans. The yearly statistics include more than 17 million dogs and 30 million cats. The existing pet population is 54 million dogs and 56 million cats.
The pet population also causes many problems for the local animal shelters. The ASPCA tells us that dogs and cats can have four to six puppies or kittens in just one litter. Dogs can have one litter a year and cats can have two litters a year. Due to the increasing pet population, millions of cats and dogs are sent to local animal shelters, packed with abused, homeless and stray animals. The volunteers and veterinarians at the local shelters work hard to rid the incoming animals of any diseases or infections they may have. They also try to provide the animals with the right food and shelter. Million of the animals that enter the shelters are euthanized every year because of lethal diseases or because they aren't adopted in a certain period of time.