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Q. What is No More Homeless Pets in Utah?
A. No More Homeless Pets in Utah is working to end euthanasia of homeless dogs and cats statewide. We do this via a number of various programs which focus on spaying and neutering, adoptions, and creating collaborative partnerships with other agencies. The No More Homeless Pets in Utah name also refers to the paid staff and volunteers who manage and administer the program.
Q. So, have you made it so there aren’t any more homeless pets in Utah?
A. Although we, and many other dedicated agencies, have made great strides in reducing the number of cats and dogs killed in Utah shelters, there are still over 30,000 euthanized in the state every year. The key to ending pet overpopulation is threefold:
- Adopt-from a shelter or rescue group rather than buy from a pet store or breeder.
- Spay/Neuter- This is simply the most important thing a pet-owner can do for their pet. For more information on why spay/neuter is so important, check out our spay/neuter section.
- Keep Your Pet for its Lifetime- Pets may pose some challenges (like any living being), but don’t give up on them! If you are experiencing challenges with your pet consult a veterinarian and/or pet behaviorist. Most issues can be resolved with a little professional help.
Q. What is No More Homeless Pets in Utah’s relationship to Best Friends Animal Society?
A. No More Homeless Pets in Utah became a program of Best Friends Animal Society on January 1, 2011. Click here to read more about our merger!
Q. What is No More Homeless Pets in Utah’s relationship to the California animal welfare foundation Maddie’s Fund?
A. For the first five years of its existence (ending July 2005) No More Homeless Pets in Utah received extremely generous financial support from Maddie’s Fund. Grants totaled over $9m over the five year period. No More Homeless Pets in Utah now receives no support from Maddie’s Fund. During the grant period Maddie’s Fund required No More Homeless Pets in Utah to achieve specific goals for increased adoptions, reduced euthanasia, etc. These goals were consistently met by No More Homeless Pets in Utah.
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Q. What is No More Homeless Pets in Utah’s relationship to other animal organizations in Utah?
A. No More Homeless Pets in Utah networks closely with other non-profit animal rescue organizations working to save animal lives. No More Homeless Pets in Utah animal rescue collaborators are invited to participate in our bi-annual super adoptions and are featured on our website. These organizations are separate non-profits and do not receive substantial direct funding from No More Homeless Pets in Utah.
Q. What is No More Homeless Pets in Utah’s relationship to government shelters in Utah?
A. No More Homeless Pets also collaborates with local government and municipal shelters in order to promote life-saving sheltering programs. Most shelters across the state collaborate with our program by providing shelter intake and disposition reports. Some local governments and shelters partner with No More Homeless Pets on special projects targeting certain communities.
Q. Is No More Homeless Pets in Utah trying to put pet stores and breeders out of business?
A. While we do take issue with the practices of many pet stores and breeders, we know that there are those who are reputable. However, in order to achieve the goal of ending euthanasia of homeless dogs and cats in Utah, it is necessary to aggressively promote adoption of animals from sources working to solve the problem of pet overpopulation. Because there are a finite number of good homes available to any animal, consumers can choose not to add to the demand supplied by breeders and puppy mills by choosing to open their homes to shelter pet. Taking away the demand for more puppies and kittens, will also begin to eliminate much of the irresponsible, careless, and inhumane breeding that is contributing to the tragedy of pet overpopulation.
Q. If the spay/neuter efforts are successful, is there a risk of creating a shortage of puppies and kittens?
A. Utah shelters handled more than 85,000 homeless animals in 1999, of which nearly 46,000 were euthanized. Though this number has been greatly reduced, many kittens and puppies are still euthanized annually in Utah. When No More Homeless Pets in Utah reaches its goal of finding homes for all the homeless animals in the state, while simultaneously slowing the birth rate, there will be animals in other states needing help. Approximately 5 million cats and dogs are killed in the U.S. annually. If our efforts resulted in a shortage of available animals in Utah, we could then look at importing homeless animals from those states still struggling with pet overpopulation.