Grade 6

The Humane Society functions as a temporary shelter for unwanted or lost dogs and cats. For every person born, 15 dogs and 45 cats are also born. Pet overpopulation is a growing concern of global importance. In order to keep up with the excessive pet population, each person would have to adopt and raise at least 2 dogs and 6 cats for his/her entire life. This means that a family of 5 would own at least 10 dogs and 30 cats! The goal of this lesson is to educate students about the consequences of not spaying or neutering your pet, the impact of pet overpopulation and the premise for a Humane Society's existence. Start by downloading the lesson handouts (pdf) and printing them out. They include fun games, puzzles, and quizzes to help your child learn.

What is a Humane Society?

A Humane Society is an organization that houses unwanted or lost dogs and cats. If the animal is not aggressive or ill, it is put up for adoption.

Where does the Humane Society get the animals?

Humane Societies obtain animals from owners who surrender their pets due to moving, kids, expense, lack of time, insufficient room, aggressive, sick, behaviour problems, untrainable, lost interest in the pet, etc. Also, loose or stray animals that are found by animal control officers, or concerned citizens are often turned into a Humane Society shelter

How does the Humane Society know which animal to put up for adoption?

The Humane Society workers test each animal for health problems, behaviour disorders and adoptability. For example, a feral (wild) cat is less likely to be put up for adoption than a common tabby cat. The reason is that a Humane Society must ensure an owner's safety when sending a pet home. Likewise, animals with a life threatening illness or a tendency to bite children are not eligible for adoption.

What kinds of pets can you get from a Humane Society?

Most Humane Societies have dogs and cats for adoption. Some Humane Societies offer rabbits, mice, guinea pigs and rats for adoption as well.

Why go to a Humane Society to get a pet rather than a pet store?

The Humane Society has a large number of dogs and cats. Moreover, each pet is tested for health and temperament before it is put up for adoption. Humane Societies also offer pets for more affordable prices. For example, a kitten or cat may cost $40 - $50 at a Humane Society, rather than $100 or more at a pet store. Similarly, dogs cost between $50 - $90 at a Humane Society rather than $400 - $800 at a pet store. Finally, when you adopt from the Humane Society, you do so with the promise of having your pet spayed or neutered. This way, you are providing a good home to a needy pet and controlling the pet population.

Scenarios

Scenario # 1: You and your friends are leaving McDonald's along a very busy street. A very cute and friendly dog comes up to you and follows you home. Assuming that no

Humane Society is available, what do you do? How do you feel about the situation? What help can an organization that is designed to protect and control animals, give you that you cannot as an individual?

Scenario # 2: A dog with a collar and tags approaches your yard and refuses to leave. You have your own dog and fear for her safety. After putting your dog out of harms way, you catch this friendly dog and call it's owner on the license tag, but no one answers. You are unable to keep the dog at home because you are due somewhere and you do not want it to destroy your house. Assuming that no Humane Society is available, what do you do? How do you feel about the situation? What help can an organization that is designed to protect and control animals, give you that you cannot as an individual?

Scenario # 3: You find an injured cat that is friendly and requires help. You have no money and are unable to get it to a veterinarian. Assuming that no Humane Society is available, what do you do? How do you feel about the situation? What help can an organization, which is designed to protect and control animals, give you that you cannot as an individual?

Scenario # 4: Your friend was bitten by a dog and needs your help. The dog is running around the neighborhood loose and is a threat to the community. Assuming that no Humane Society is available, what do you do? How do you feel about the situation? What help can an organization that is designed to protect and control animals, give you that you cannot as an individual?

Scenario # 5: A raccoon is in your living room and is scared. Attempts to trap him or lure him outside are unsuccessful. He hisses and snaps when approached. Assuming that no Humane Society is available, what do you do? How do you feel about the situation? What help can an organization, that is designed to protect and control animals, give you that you cannot as an individual?

Scenario # 6: You witness the brutal beating of an animal. Although you are unable to interfere, you want to report it. Assuming that no Humane Society is available, what do you do? How do you feel about the situation? What help can an organization, which is designed to protect and control animals, give you that you cannot as an individual?

Are there any other functions a Humane Society offers?

Yes, the Humane Society offers a variety of services. Besides being an adoption center for new pets, the Humane Society acts to provide the following:

• Lost and found system that reunites lost pets with their owners.
• Pet ID (identification) service (i.e. license tag numbers on computers).
• Cruelty investigations.
• Animal control (dogs at large, dogs returned home, shelter for injured animals).
• Bite cases (place to observe and contain a dog, with an uncertain vaccination history, that bit a person, as a precautionary measure for rabies and other diseases).
• Animal-assisted therapy for the elderly or school-age children.
• Obedience training.
• Advice on pet care.
• Food and equipment sales.
• Wildlife advice and relocation service.
• Veterinary rescue service (for injured animals).
• Euthanasia services.

So what happens to animals that go unadopted in a Humane Society?

Some animals are used as teaching models and learning tools for veterinary and medical students. Others are used in research to improve human health, but unfortunately, a lot of these animals ultimately succumb to euthanasia.

What is euthanasia?

Euthanasia is the act of humanely putting an animal down or to sleep using an overdose of a drug that stops the heart from beating and the brain from working. Basically, it is a painless way of putting an animal to sleep, but the animal does not wake up. Anesthesia is different. This is a safe use of drugs, which will make the animal go to sleep so various types of examinations, and surgeries can be performed. The animals wake up when the drug wears off.

Why do we euthanize animals?

Animals are euthanized for many reasons. Some include:

• Aggressive or unhealthy animal that is unsuitable for adoption.
• Decrease the pet population.
• Decrease the spread of disease.
• Decrease animal suffering.
• Protect people from being bitten or frightened.
• Prevent accidents by stray or loose animals.
• Prevent destruction of public or private property.

For each person born, 15 dogs and 45 cats are born. In the US, over 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every single day! One female cat can be a grandmother to over 20,000 kittens in 5 years. If pet growth continues, each person will have to own 2 dogs and 6 cats for his/her entire life. There are 300 dogs and 900 cats for every class of 20 students. The numbers vary slightly but 2 uncontrolled breeding cats plus all their kittens, assuming none are castrated or spayed, that produce 2 litters of 2 to 8 kittens per year for 10 years amount to over 80 million cats!!! Sadly, less than 20% of these animals find homes which means that only one in five kittens are believed to find homes.

What are ways to prevent pet overpopulation?

Encourage and enforce spaying and neutering. Keep pets contained in their designated areas or own yards, and do not allow them to run loose.

The following are topics to expand on depending on the amount of time you have remaining. It is a good idea to introduce these concepts now. They will be addressed separately in later lessons.

What is spaying and neutering?

Spaying is the removal of female reproductive organs such as the ovaries and the uterus. The animal is anesthetized or put in a temporary sleep, painlessly for the surgery. Your pet will recover` in about 2 days.

Neutering is the removal of male reproductive organs, the testes. The male is anesthetized for the surgery and recovers in about 1 - 2 days.

Facts About an Unaltered Female Cat

An unaltered female cat can have her first litter as young as 6 months old and go on to produce up to 3 litters of 6 or more kittens per year. If this cycle continues, she could produce approximately 200 kittens in 10 years (average life expectancy), and attract many noisy admirers during the day and night while in heat.

Facts About an Unaltered Male Cat

An unaltered male cat marks his territory with a pungent smelling urine both inside and outside the house. He is also more likely to run away, wander and roam for days, weeks and months often becoming permanently lost, injured or killed. Unaltered males are often more aggressive and more likely to get into fights with other cats. They are also more likely to howl, make loud noises and keep you and the neighborhood up all night.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

• Spayed or neutered cats make better pets for you and your family
• Spayed or neutered cats spend more time at home and are less likely to roam.
• Spayed or neutered cats are less aggressive.
• Spayed or neutered cats do not produce an intolerable odor in the house.
• Spayed or neutered cats decrease pet overpopulation.
• Spayed or neutered cats do not get fat and lazy; overfed and under exercised cats get overweight and unhealthy.
• Spayed or neutered pets are less likely to develop cancer, urinary and uterine infections and live longer!

How much does spaying and neutering cost?

It costs far more to feed a pregnant dog or cat and her litter than to pay for the spaying operation. Most spays on P.E.I. cost between $50 - $125.

When should my dog get spayed or neutered?

Dogs and cats should be spayed or neutered by approximately 5 - 6 months of age, after puberty and before the female’s first heat.

Conclusion

Pet overpopulation is a growing concern of global importance. Too many animals die each year due to overpopulation, and everyone who owns a pet can do their part to stop this problem by spaying or neutering their pet. Animals are often better behaved, calmer, more loving, and less aggressive after they have been altered. Remember to always check the Humane Society before purchasing a pet from a pet store, your best friend may be waiting for you at the Humane Society! If you have any questions about spaying or neutering, please feel free to contact our office.