The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 6-8 million cats and dogs enter shelters each year, and 3-4 million are adopted each year. Between 600,00 - 750,000 animals brought into shelters (30% of dogs, 2-5% of cats) are reclaimed by their owners. The remaining animals, as many as 4 million per year, are euthanized, most of these for no crime other than taking up space that a newer dog or cat needs. With the enormous number of adoptable pets in shelters around the country, and too few families adopting, our shelters are overbooked, and often, regrettably, underfunded.
With this in mind, we the undersigned implore the Obama family to adopt, rather than purchase a new dog when they take residence in the White House next year. Many of the dogs in shelter are purebred (as many as 25%, by HSUS estimates), so if the Obama family wishes to follow the recommendation put forth by the
AKC poll to adopt a poodle, we encourage the Obamas to contact a local shelter, or use a service such as
Petfinder to find a new member of their family.
* Pet statistics were found on the HSUS's website
here. We the undersigned implore the Obama family to consider adopting a new dog from a local shelter, rather than purchasing from a breeder or pet store.
The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year simply because no one selected them from a shelter and took them home.
While it may seem that the selection of your next family pet is only one animal, please consider that your actions will be watched throughout our great country and around the world, and many people will follow your lead.
We appreciate that the American Kennel Club recently ran a
poll, and the voters chose a poodle to be the next dog in the White House. When up to 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred, we are confident you will be able to find whatever breed you decide upon, whether purebred or mixed breed, in a local shelter, and give a deserving pet a second chance.
Thank you for your consideration,
