Data of dogs euthanized/1000 Humans in the USA

Data of dogs euthanized/1000 Humans in the USA

Figure 1: A graph showing the number of dogs that were euthanized per 1000 humans in the USA.

From the graph, the number of dogs that are euthanized per 1000 US households has seen a drastic drop from 1970 to 2020. 1970 has the highest number of euthanized dogs, with 2014 having the lowest number per 1000 shelters. The data from 1973 to 1982 were based on an annual shelter survey conducted in the United States by HSUS staff. The data from 1990 to 2000 are estimates and analyses done by small individual groups, including data from article authors like ANR report by Phil Arkow and Merritt Clifton. The final data used in this graph is based on PetPoint reports, which are intake and outcome totals comprising of around one thousand shelters. The decrease in the number of euthanized dogs is based on a number of reasons.

First, change in differential licensing. According to Marsh (2010), increasing the fee for intact and sterilized pets has played a huge role in the decline of the number of dog intake. For instance, 45 dollars were raised to the initial license charge for pets intact in King County, Washington, between 1993 and 2006. As a result, the number of dogs that were admitted during that period experienced a 14.6% drop despite an increase in population by 21.1%. However, there have been several measures that have been put in place to combat the drop of euthanized dogs. This measure includes the designation of mobile clinics, field operations, voucher systems, and increased partnership with college veterinary. Some of these programs have continued to be installed in some states. For instance, Massachusetts and New Jersey have recently adopted dog licensing Scheme with reduced spray cost and Neuter surgeries coordinated by state authorities.

Data showing the number of dogs adopted, euthanized and returned from Sep 2009- Sep2017

Figure 2: Graph showing a recent dogs intake verses those adopted and euthanized.

The line graph showing the number of dogs adopted is higher than that of euthanized dogs. The number of dogs euthanized from drastically drops up to Sep 2015, where we have a slight increase in Sep 2016 and then a drop in 2017. The graph for adopted dogs rises gradually and has the highest percentage of dog intake and adopted. A drastic increase starts from Sep 2009, where a swift rise is seen in 2015 before dropping again to the following years 2016 and 2017.

Due to the high percentage of dogs adopted, adoption has been regarded to be the driving factor as to why dog euthanasia is decreasing. The graph also shows a significant impact geared to the rate of euthanasia by adoption. This is quite evident in the graph. By comparing the number of dogs adopted and that euthanized from 2009-2017, adoption is increasing, and that of dog’s euthanasia decreasing. This is evident through regression analysis; there exists a negative statistical significance between dogs adopted and those euthanized. The reason for dog euthanasia can be caused by an increased rate of dog euthanasia advertisements and campaigns that are influencing the decisions of most shelters surveyed to adopt dog euthanasia.