In the past few years, national concern has grown regarding the number of animals euthanized in shelters. Lack of such information, however, has been a stumbling block with many proposed solutions. Data, when available, is often incomplete and inconclusive. Hastily enacted proposals, driven by emotions, can cause harm to the very animals they seek to protect.
Emotions flare over animal issues.
Media sensationalize images of animals behind bars or dead from euthanasia to fan these emotional fires. Thoughtful topics regarding pet ownership rarely make the news. The lack of reliable information stems mainly from many humane societies across the country not keeping detailed records. There are no central clearing houses for data collection. Numbers conflict even to the country's number of shelters, and what data there is regarding the number of animals being handled varies by several million.