Problem-Solution Paper

Cat Over-Population
Did you know there are around 60 million feral cats currently in the United States? The population of cats increases by millions every year. Since 1993, the number of cats in animal shelters has increased by 15% every year, and even that percent is increasing. According to the HSUS (the Human Society of United States), over a time span of seven years, a cat and her offspring can produce over 400,000 cats. Many factors contribute to the feral cat population: opting out of spay and neuter, breeding cats, and not having enough space in shelters. Cat over-population of cats is becoming a huge problem in the United States and needs to be fixed.

One main problem is cat owners choose not to get their cats spayed/neutered. The owner will let their cats outside to become, or get another cat pregnant. Unfixed female cats usually have around two to three litters a year; each litter having four to six cats. 75% of feral cats’ litters die or disappear after six months of age. The others fight to survive on the streets, in neighborhoods, and in back alleys, usually begging for food. The LA-SPCA (Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) charges around $25 to spay/neuter a cat. Other places, and in other states, charge between $25 to 50$, and even over a $100. If prices were lower, and even free in some cases, people would be more willing to fix their cat. Even with prices being the way they are, people opt out of it because they feel as if it’ll traumatize their cat. Owners should realize this is the wrong choice. A new solution organizations are trying is the spaying and neutering of strays. This technique involves people catching the neighborhood stray and bringing it to an organization to be fixed. Most organizations don’t charge much, or don’t charge at all. This is a solution everyone should try.

Another huge problem is breeders breeding cats. 10 to 20% of cats and dogs are bought from animal shelters. The rest come from pet shops, a friend’s unwanted litter, off the streets, or an online breeder. What pet owners don’t know is breeders have one female cat that they use over and over again to make more kittens. Once they have used the female cat enough, she becomes unable to have kittens. Breeders then sell the cat on sites such as Craigslist. Instead of buying cats and kittens online and from pet stores, owners should adopt from animal shelters. Also, to stop breeders from breeding, the government should illegalize animal breeding. This would reduce the amount of cats in the United States.

Another huge problem is the space in animal shelters. There isn’t enough space in animal shelters for all the animals in the world. Usually, animals get let out or the shelters don’t accept anymore cats after a certain point. This forces some owners to disown their pets which add to the feral cat population. Most animal shelters euthanize their animals when they have reached their limit. Almost five to seven million cats enter animal shelters every year and three to four million are euthanized. Approximately 25,000 healthy cats die each year from diseases in shelters and 70% of cats are euthanized because there is no home to put them in. In Louisiana, almost 30 cats are put down every week. There are just not enough homes for feral cats. This problem ties in with the breeder’s problem; instead of buying cats online, people should adopt cats from animal shelters. If people care about animals, they should volunteer more at organizations and shelters. More animal lovers should become foster parents to reduce the amount of animals in shelters. More shelters should be made, too. There are currently around 3,500 animal shelters in the U.S. If more shelters were made, the amount of cats on the streets would be decreased.

As you can see, feral cat overpopulation is a huge problem in the United States. Not spaying and neutering your cat, breeding cats, and not having enough space in animal shelters are three huge problems contributing to the population of feral cats. There are many solutions to these problems. Animal lovers should try and help fix it. Average people who don’t like cats should try and help. If everyone helped contribute, the feral cat population would be decrease.