Helping Hands Humane Society of Topeka, KS

Helping Hands Humane Society

2004
10,231 animals admitted
2,647 animals adopted
1,127 pets returned to owners

2003
9,555 animals admitted
2,338 animals adopted
1,113 pets returned to owners

Animal Intake by Year
1973-2004

Animal Intake by Month
2000-2004

Helping Hands Humane Society is an open door shelter. We turn no animal away. The main difference between us and limited admission shelters (sometimes referred to as “no kill” shelters) is that they must restrict the type and number of animals they receive. Few limited admission shelters take in sick and injured animals or provide for lost and stray animals.

Although the simplicity of the limited admission shelter philosophy is appealing, reality is not that simple. Here at Helping Hands, we receive an average of 20 to 40 animals each day. We provide them with shelter for days, weeks and even months while they are awaiting new homes. But more keep coming in every single day and only so many can be housed at one time. As a result, we must humanely euthanize those animals for which no home can be found.

We honor the memory of all these lovable pets. Each and every one causes us great sadness. We need your help to reduce the number of homeless animals in our community. Be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves and educate others on the importance of spaying and neutering.

2003/2004 National Pet Owners Survey

In the U.S., there are more pets than people –
377.8 million pets versus 290 million people.

Pet ownership in the U.S.

Cats 77.7 million
Dogs 65 million
Birds 17.3 million
Reptiles 9 million
Small animals 16.8 million
Saltwater Fish 7 million
Freshwater Fish 185 million

62% of U.S. households own a pet (about 64.2 million households)

46% of all households own more than one pet

The greatest expense for pet owners over a 12-month period is veterinary care services, followed by food and supplies

Approximately one million U.S. dog and cat owners have purchased health insurance for their pets

Statistics from American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc.
www.appma.org

Humane Society of the United States

Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year:
6-8 million (HSUS estimate)

Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year:
3-4 million (HSUS estimate)

Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:
Between 600,000 and 750,000 – 30% of dogs and 2-5% of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)

Number of animal shelters in the United States:
Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate)

Percentage of purebred dogs in shelters: 25% (HSUS estimate)

Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3 litters

Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4 -6 kittens
In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.

Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2 litters

Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10 puppies
In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.

Pet Allergies: studies show that approximately 15% of the U.S. population is allergic to dogs or cats. Bathing your pet on a weekly basis can reduce the level of allergens on fur by as much as 84%.

Microchipping your pet: microchips provide an important extra level of protection in the event your pet becomes separated from his collar and tags. Microchips are designed to last the lifetime of a pet – a chip typically lasts at least 25 years. Chips do not need replacing. Once the microchip is implanted, it will remain there and active for the life of the pet.

Statistics from the Humane Society of the United States
www.hsus.org

Top Ten Reasons for Pet Relinquishment
to Shelters in the United States

DOGS	CATS
1. Moving	1. Too many in house
2. Landlord issues	2. Allergies
3. Cost of pet maintenance	3. Moving
4. No time for pet	4. Cost of pet maintenance
5. Inadequate facilities	5. Landlord issues
6. Too many pets in home	6. No homes for littermates
7. Pet illness(es)	7. House soiling
8. Personal problems	8. Personal problems
9. Biting	9. Inadequate facilities
10. No homes for littermates	10. Doesn’t get along with other pets

Statistics from the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy
www.petpopulation.org

Miscellaneous Pet Facts

Dogs:

On average, dog owners spent $196 on veterinary related expenses in the past 12 months.

One of the world’s oldest breeds of dog is the Saluki. It is thought to have been developed in ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 B.C.

Cats:

Cat owners spent an average of $104 on veterinary related expenses in the past 12 months.

A cat uses its whiskers to determine if a space is too small to squeeze through. The whiskers act as feelers or antennae, helping the animal to judge the precise width of any passage.

Catnip can affect lions and tigers as well as house cats. It excites them because it contains a chemical that resembles an excretion of the dominant female's urine.

Fish:

Goldfish lose their color if kept in dim light.

Scientists use ear growth rings to determine a fish's age.

Birds:

Approximately 19 million birds live in U.S. households.

The canary, parakeet, and cockatiel are commercially established bird species that have a long history of captive breeding; zebra and society finches are likely to have been captive bred. Many finches and parrots (conures, Amazons, African grays, cockatoos, and macaws) are often caught in the wild.

A bird that has been bred in captivity is accustomed to being handled and eating commercial bird foods; less likely to carry diseases; and will be less traumatized in adapting to your home.

Reptiles:

About nine million reptiles are kept in about four million American households. According to recent statistics, more than 1.7 million live reptiles are imported to the United States annually. Thousands of others were removed from the wild, or bred in captivity.

All reptiles carry salmonella bacteria. This doesn't cause a problem for them, but for humans, it can be deadly. Salmonellosis causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and chills, and may develop into invasive illnesses such as meningitis and sepsis. In 1999, responding to an upsurge in cases of reptile-associated salmonellosis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a public advisory warning that 93,000 people each year contract salmonellosis from contact with reptiles and amphibians. The CDC recommends that children, pregnant women, and persons with compromised immune systems avoid all contact with reptiles and amphibians.

Statistics from
http://vetmedicine.about.com
www.hsus.org

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