There's No Excuse For Animal Abuse

Overpopulation in shelters:

The community issue we chose is animal abuse, but specifically animal overpopulation. Animal overpopulation falls under the blanket of animal abuse because it can be a result of different types of animal abuse such as neglect and hoarding. Overpopulation is normally caused by animals that have been dumped or have lived on the street their whole lives who then have kittens or puppies that people come and pick up and take to shelters.

Taking care of animals is being a good citizen because you are taking care and respecting the other living creatures is in our community. Pets are something that brings so much joy to people’s lives and help us understand compassion. Taking care of pets is advocating for something that doesn’t have a voice and can’t stand up for itself.

Words from an expert:

1. Is animal overpopulation an issue in Waco?

Answer: Yes, Absolutely!

2. Is it beneficial to pick up a stray, get it spayed and neutered, and then put it back where you found it?

Answer: It is beneficial to cats, but for dogs you should spend 72 hours trying to find its owner, then after that bring it to the shelter.

3. Are there any ways we can decrease the stray animal population in Waco?

Answer: If picked up by animal control, it must be spayed and neutered before taken or given back to owner.

4. What is the average number of people who sign up to foster each month?

Answer: Average number is about ten.

5. What is the average number of strays you get off the street every month?

Answer: 30

We learned through these interviews that people are not educated about this issue at all. They do not have any knowledge on overpopulation. Many people do not know the importance of spaying and neutering animals. We need to help educate our community.

Ways you can help in your community:

FOSTER
Adopt, don't shop
Donate money
Volunteer with your local shelter
If you see a stray, get it spayed or neutered (locate your nearest animal care facility that can conduct the procedure). If it is a cat return it to where you found it, and if it is a dog give it to the shelter so that they can try and find the owner.
If you notice any animal abuse contact the authorities.


doggies in shelters Fun Fact: Intentional cruelty to animals is strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people.	puppies waiting to get adopted Fun Fact: 80% of the animals in the shelters are healthy and ready to adopt.	homeless kitties Fun Fact: Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under 30, while those involved in animal hoarding are more likely to be women over 60.

doggies in shelters

Fun Fact:

Intentional cruelty to animals is strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people.

puppies waiting to get adopted

Fun Fact:

80% of the animals in the shelters are healthy and ready to adopt.

homeless kitties

Fun Fact:

Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under 30, while those involved in animal hoarding are more likely to be women over 60.


puppy Fun fact: It's been estimated that there are 900 to 2,000 new cases every year of animal hoarding in the US, with 250,000 animals falling victim.	kit fun fact: One unspayed female cat and her offspring can lead up to 374,000 kittens	adopted puppy fun fact: More than 50% the fur in the US comes from China, where millions of dogs and cats are often bled to death and skinned alive for their fur.

puppy

Fun fact: It's been estimated that there are 900 to 2,000 new cases every year of animal hoarding in the US, with 250,000 animals falling victim.

kit

fun fact:

One unspayed female cat and her offspring can lead up to 374,000 kittens

adopted puppy

fun fact:

More than 50% the fur in the US comes from China, where millions of dogs and cats are often bled to death and skinned alive for their fur.

Stray Saturdays

When

Saturday, Sep. 7th, 10am-4pm

Where

Various Waco Neighborhoods

More information

We are partnering with the Waco Animal Birth Control Clinic on the first Saturday of every month to help bring neighborhoods together while spaying and neutering animals for free.

-First Saturday of every month- location changes each month

-Meal provided for: $5 kids $10 adults (money goes towards medical van expenses)

-Everyone who brings a pet gets a swag bag

-Donations are welcome

At our event we will also be holding a class through Fuzzy Friends volunteers to educate the local neighborhoods about:

Fostering
Adoption process
How to properly take care of your animals
The signs of animal abuse
The importance of spaying and neutering
How animal abuse relates to overpopulation in shelters

Neglect
Hoarding

If you suspect animal abuse report it because there is a direct link between animal abuse and domestic abuse.

Our biggest way to advocate for this issue is through education!

Get Directions


Abigail I learned that a good citizen advocates effectively in their community.	Ryland This week I learned that before getting people to advocate and speak out for a cause you must educate them first.	Ainsley I learned that animal abuse is a direct link to domestic abuse.

Abigail

I learned that a good citizen advocates effectively in their community.

Ryland

This week I learned that before getting people to advocate and speak out for a cause you must educate them first.

Ainsley

I learned that animal abuse is a direct link to domestic abuse.


Sa'mya I learned that to be a good citizen you have to take action	Joseph One thing I learned was that when you get a cat spayed and neutered you can return it to its natural habitat, but when you get a dog spayed and neutered you have to find a good owner for it.	Grayson I learned how to advocate efficiently for an issue.

Sa'mya

I learned that to be a good citizen you have to take action

Joseph

One thing I learned was that when you get a cat spayed and neutered you can return it to its natural habitat, but when you get a dog spayed and neutered you have to find a good owner for it.

Grayson

I learned how to advocate efficiently for an issue.


Emilia I learned more about animal abuse and how to care for stray animals in our community.	Samuel I learned how to be a good citizen.	Dylan This week I learned that being a good citizen isn't just volunteering, it's standing up for what you believe in.

Emilia

I learned more about animal abuse and how to care for stray animals in our community.

Samuel

I learned how to be a good citizen.

Dylan

This week I learned that being a good citizen isn't just volunteering, it's standing up for what you believe in.


Madelyn I learned that overpopulation is a very big problem.

Madelyn

I learned that overpopulation is a very big problem.

Accessibility

Brooke Blevins

There's No Excuse For Animal Abuse

Let's stop overpopulation together

There's No Excuse For Animal Abuse

Let's stop overpopulation together

Overpopulation in shelters:

Interviews:

Words from an expert:

Ways you can help in your community:

doggies in shelters

puppies waiting to get adopted

homeless kitties

doggies in shelters

puppies waiting to get adopted

homeless kitties

puppy

kit

adopted puppy

puppy

kit

adopted puppy

Stray Saturdays

Saturday, Sep. 7th, 10am-4pm

Various Waco Neighborhoods

Savage Sloths

Abigail

Ryland

Ainsley

Abigail

Ryland

Ainsley

Sa'mya

Joseph

Grayson

Sa'mya

Joseph

Grayson

Emilia

Samuel

Dylan

Emilia

Samuel

Dylan

Madelyn

Madelyn

Works Cited