There's No Excuse For Animal Abuse

Let's stop overpopulation together

Overpopulation in shelters:

The community issue we chose is animal abuse, but specifically animal overpopulation. Animal overpopulation falls under the blanket of animal abuse because it can be a result of different types of animal abuse such as neglect and hoarding. Overpopulation is normally caused by animals that have been dumped or have lived on the street their whole lives who then have kittens or puppies that people come and pick up and take to shelters.

Taking care of animals is being a good citizen because you are taking care and respecting the other living creatures is in our community. Pets are something that brings so much joy to people’s lives and help us understand compassion. Taking care of pets is advocating for something that doesn’t have a voice and can’t stand up for itself.

Interviews:

Do you think overpopulation in animals is a problem in Waco?

50% Yes 50% No

When you see a stray animal, what do you do?

38% Something 62% Nothing

Have you ever considered fostering?

65% Yes 35% No

Do you currently own a pet?

54% Yes 46% No

Do you think being a good citizen is helping stray pets?

96% Yes 4% No

Words from an expert:

1. Is animal overpopulation an issue in Waco?

Answer: Yes, Absolutely!

2. Is it beneficial to pick up a stray, get it spayed and neutered, and then put it back where you found it?

Answer: It is beneficial to cats, but for dogs you should spend 72 hours trying to find its owner, then after that bring it to the shelter.

3. Are there any ways we can decrease the stray animal population in Waco?

Answer: If picked up by animal control, it must be spayed and neutered before taken or given back to owner.

4. What is the average number of people who sign up to foster each month?

Answer: Average number is about ten.

5. What is the average number of strays you get off the street every month?

Answer: 30

We learned through these interviews that people are not educated about this issue at all. They do not have any knowledge on overpopulation. Many people do not know the importance of spaying and neutering animals. We need to help educate our community.

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Ways you can help in your community:

FOSTER
Adopt, don't shop
Donate money
Volunteer with your local shelter
If you see a stray, get it spayed or neutered (locate your nearest animal care facility that can conduct the procedure). If it is a cat return it to where you found it, and if it is a dog give it to the shelter so that they can try and find the owner.
If you notice any animal abuse contact the authorities.

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doggies in shelters

Fun Fact:

Intentional cruelty to animals is strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people.

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puppies waiting to get adopted

Fun Fact:

80% of the animals in the shelters are healthy and ready to adopt.

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homeless kitties

Fun Fact:

Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under 30, while those involved in animal hoarding are more likely to be women over 60.

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puppy

Fun fact: It's been estimated that there are 900 to 2,000 new cases every year of animal hoarding in the US, with 250,000 animals falling victim.

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kit

fun fact:

One unspayed female cat and her offspring can lead up to 374,000 kittens

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adopted puppy

fun fact:

More than 50% the fur in the US comes from China, where millions of dogs and cats are often bled to death and skinned alive for their fur.

Event Information

Stray Saturdays

We are partnering with the Waco Animal Birth Control Clinic on the first Saturday of every month to help bring neighborhoods together while spaying and neutering animals for free.

-First Saturday of every month- location changes each month

-Meal provided for: $5 kids $10 adults (money goes towards medical van expenses)

-Everyone who brings a pet gets a swag bag

-Donations are welcome

At our event we will also be holding a class through Fuzzy Friends volunteers to educate the local neighborhoods about:

Fostering
Adoption process
How to properly take care of your animals
The signs of animal abuse
The importance of spaying and neutering
How animal abuse relates to overpopulation in shelters

Neglect
Hoarding

If you suspect animal abuse report it because there is a direct link between animal abuse and domestic abuse.

Our biggest way to advocate for this issue is through education!

When?

Saturday, Sep 7, 2019, 10:00 AM

Where?

Various Waco Neighborhoods

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Savage Sloths

FUN FACT: WE LOVE STARBUCKS

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Abigail

I learned that a good citizen advocates effectively in their community.

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Ryland

This week I learned that before getting people to advocate and speak out for a cause you must educate them first.

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Ainsley

I learned that animal abuse is a direct link to domestic abuse.

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Sa'mya

I learned that to be a good citizen you have to take action

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Joseph

One thing I learned was that when you get a cat spayed and neutered you can return it to its natural habitat, but when you get a dog spayed and neutered you have to find a good owner for it.