Four million cats and dogs—about one every eight seconds—are put down in U.S. shelters each year. Often these animals are the offspring of cherished family pets. Spay/neuter is a proven way to reduce pet overpopulation, ensuring that every pet has a family to love them.
Many cats and dogs who die as a result of pet overpopulation could have made wonderful pets. Between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters every year; far too many to all find homes.
A solution is possible and starts with each of us taking one small step: getting our own pets fixed. To help stop pet overpopulation further, consider adopting your next pet from an animal shelter.
Learn more about the pet overpopulation crisis and how, together, we can solve it.
Bring the Campaign to Your Community
People are responding to an innovative marketing campaign to promote the benefits of spaying and neutering pets. Watch the TV ads, view the billboards, and learn how you can bring the spay/neuter campaign to your community.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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November 11, 2009
A More Perfect Union
Matchmakers help rabbits find that special someone
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November 3, 2009
The HSUS Celebrates National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
Each year, The Humane Society of the United States celebrates National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week during the first full week of November as a way to honor animal shelters and the dedicated people who work to protect animals across the country.
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November 1, 2009
Top 10 Ways to Show Your Local Animal Shelter Some Love
The Humane Society of the United States' National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week—Nov. 1-7—is a way to honor animal shelters and their dedicated staff across the country.
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October 29, 2009
Calif. School Club Wins Award for Showing that Cruelty is Not Cool
The Animal Compassion, Advocacy, Respect, Education, or CARE, Club of Sweetwater Union High School in National City, Calif. has been selected as the 2009 Humane Society Youth Club Award winner by The Humane Society of the United States. The award honors a K-12 youth club that has made a significant contribution to animal protection.
Our Victories
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July 2, 2009
The HSUS Celebrates Oregon Legislative Victories for Animals
The HSUS applauds the Oregon state legislature for passing four significant animal protection bills during the recently concluded session.
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May 26, 2009
Calif. Legislature Presses Ahead with Animal Welfare Reforms
Both houses of the California legislature today passed important farm animal welfare legislation. Introduced by California Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, S.B. 135 passed the Senate with bipartisan support. If enacted, the bill would ban the painful and unnecessary tail docking of dairy cows.
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August 18, 2008
The HSUS Applauds Prosecutors for Animal Cruelty Charges Against Puppy Mill Owner
The HSUS applauds Tennessee 21st Judicial District State's Attorney Kim Helper for filing criminal animal cruelty charges against Patricia Adkisson, stemming from allegations that Adkisson neglected dogs kept at Pine Bluff Puppies on her Lyles, Tenn. property.