HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8546 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NO. 8546
y &�TX December 2, 2003
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
y Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: ANIMAL EUTHANASIA RATE INCREASES IN FORT WORTH
More than 15,400 stray animals had to be euthanized during the 2003 fiscal year according to
year-end reports. That is equal to about 75 percent of the 20,500 animals that were impounded
and an increase of 2 percent from the previous year.
The increase in the euthanasia rate is a true indicator of how critical the pet overpopulation
problem has become and stands as a reminder of the importance of being a responsible pet
owner.
Animal Care and Control officials believe that residents may not understand the big picture. As
an example of the dramatic impact unaltered pets can have: One non-spayed female dog and
her mate and their unaltered offspring can have 66,000 puppies over a six-year period. Using
the same scenario for cats, the number of offspring can be as high as 73,040.
The City of Fort Worth, its residents and the domestic animals that live in and out of local homes
,are in a troublesome cycle that can only be stopped by practicing responsible pet ownership,
which includes limiting the size of the pet population by spaying or neutering pets. Until all pet
owners understand the importance of this concept and take action to support it, Animal Care
and Control officials fear that the number of homeless animals in the City will remain high.
In an effort to lower the number of healthy animals being euthanized, the Animal Care and
Control Center plans to take the message of responsible pet ownership to the media once again
to inform residents about the high euthanasia rate and help them understand what they can do
to improve the situation.
Additionally, an animal surgery room, if approved by the voters as part of the bond package will
assure that pets adopted from the shelter will be spayed or neutered and therefore, not
contributing to this serious animal control problem.
If you would like additional information about any Animal Care and Control program, please
don't hesitate to contact Assistant City Manager Libby Watson or Public Health Di., ctor Do,n
Reimer. r
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS