The reproductive potential of cats and dogs is phenominal. One pair of cats can lead to over 20,000 offspring in 4 years. Free-roaming animals create hazards of bites, scratches, accidents, etc. for the general public.
Rutherford County has a serious problem with overpopulation of dogs and cats.
Over 10,000 dogs and cats are brought into the shelter or picked up each year. The rest are humanely destroyed. 10 million dogs and cats are humanely destroyed in shelters each year. About the same number are destroyed by exposure, starvation, disease, accidents and poisoning. Spayed and neutered animals generally make better, more loyal pets.