Unwanted Offspring Die by the Thousands in Animal Shelters and on the Streets, Says Group
For Immediate Release:
July 23, 2012
Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382
Toronto -- Holding signs that read, "Condoms Don't Work: Fix Your Dog!" and "Condoms Don't Work: Fix Your Cat!" two PETA members dressed as giant condoms—one pink and one blue—will hand out leaflets on animal birth control at a busy location in Toronto on Tuesday. Their point? That the only way to get a handle on the overpopulation crisis among cats and dogs is always to have your animals spayed or neutered.
When: Tuesday, July 24, 12 noon
Where: Northeast corner of King Street and University Avenue, Toronto
"If cats and dogs could wear condoms, tens of thousands of animals would be spared suffering and death," says PETA campaigner Emily Lavender. "But they can't—so it's up to their guardians to take responsibility for spaying and neutering them."
Complete euthanasia statistics aren't available, but in 2010 alone, more than 140,000 unwanted cats and dogs ended up in Canadian shelters, and more than 50,000 were euthanized because there weren't enough good homes. Thousands more never make it to an animal shelter and are left to fend for themselves on the streets, where they are often subjected to cruelty; suffer from starvation, disease, or injuries; or are struck by cars. The solution is simple: Always spay or neuter your animal companions. Spaying one female dog can prevent 67,000 births in six years, and spaying one female cat can prevent 420,000 births in seven years.
For more information about PETA, please visit PETA.org.