Cat Overpopulation
Every
Summer, the Evanston Animal Shelter, like shelters all across the
country, is overflowing with kittens. Each year the kittens come
pouring in faster than anyone can imagine. Some shelters take the line
of least resistance and destroy them knowing that it is not possible to
find good homes for all of them. We struggle to adopt out all our
kittens but it is an uphill battle. Where do all these kittens come
from? Many are the offspring of feral cats, cats who once were
nominally owned, left to their own devices hence to breed and produce
cats who no one owns. These cats forage for themselves as best they can
living off garbage and occasional handouts from people who take pity on
them.
Many other kittens
come to the shelter from people who carelessly did not get their female
cats spayed. They think they can find homes for the kittens and then
realize it isn't so easy. Often they blame the cat and dump her with
her kittens. Often they just dump the kittens at the shelter and allow
the mother to go on breeding. What these people don't realize is that
over ten million healthy cats and kittens are destroyed every year in
the United States simply because there are not enough homes for them.
Male cats should be neutered because they roam in search of females,
fight, catch and spread diseases, get hit by cars, and often are a
nuisance. If you know someone who owns an unspayed or neutered cat, or
feeds unsterilized strays, explain how they contribute to the problem.
The volunteers at the Evanston Animal Shelter will be happy to help
them have their cat(s) spayed or neutered. If they need financial help
in the form of spay/neuter coupons, or have any questions, we can be
reached at (847) 705-2653. Or follow this link to find information on Low Cost Spay-Neuter Programs in the Chicago Area.
