What can be done to stop the cat/dog overpopulation problem?

Some parts yes some parts no. The main problem being who's going to pay for all this and ENFORCE any of this? The second being depending on where you are business owners are already getting bent over by the local government and taxing them further is going to drive more people out of business.

In this economy that is NOT what we need. And how would that affect rescues/shelters? Technically that is a SERVICE.

Vets? Trainers? Do I believe a good portion of the dog population should probably be put down?

Yes. Do I think its going to happen with the current "all dogs can be fixed/saved" mentality of some people? Not any time soon.

Come on we can't even get people to agree totally with a permanent fix to CURRENT feral dog packs in the us. ETA: Notice you have already gotten the "look at the human population" comparison. God forbid someone remind that that the majority of pregnancies are PLANNED, WANTED and not affecting the system.

That is HARDER to get a child adopted thanks to the system and ****** up laws that prevent singles and/or same sex couples from adopting. Or the fact we as humans have full control over whether we reproduce or not and are not simply acting out of instinct. Not to mention in some areas to over population issue is OVERSTATED.

Check your local rescue groups and see how many bring up animals from high kills down south. ETA: " Despite the old wives' tale about “training” your pet not to breed, this is not possible. " Sharon and what "old wives" tale would that be since I never heard it.

I DO know simple responsibility and an understanding of dog reproduction prevents mating all the time. Otherwise how do you think GOOD breeders can go without having a litter on every heat? Some of us are able to understand how to keep our dogs on our property, an in season ***** properly secured and dogs of opposite sex in the same home from mating.

Is everyone like that? No. Doesn't mean I should have to fix my dogs because someone else is irresponsible.

Anne: I was referring to Sharon's comment of how many children are born in the US every day. Leaving third world countries aside where they even know what SEX leads to - there majority of children in this country are wanted- whether for a GOOD reason or religious guilt. We have birth control options to fit EVERYONE We have the morning after pill we have the right to abortions.

Pregnant teens still have the option of not carrying to term. And again we as humans still make the choice about sex and pregnancy. Even in third world countries if a child isn't wanted there are ways around it, some dangerous(natural abortive) and some downright cruel(leaving infants to the elements).

I get your point....I really do. I'm just not sure it is feasible. I know your opinion on allowing your dogs to remain intact.

While I totally respect this and I knwo YOU are able to be a responsible owner of intact dogs, many aren't. I also know that you would be quite pissed if you were in a mandatory spay and neuter area. The mandatory Spay and Neuter laws in areas such as Las Vegas have been largely unsuccessful.

There are loopholes. I think the problem is, that it is hard to distinguish the "good" dog owners from the irresponsible ones. Then, we have all owners lumped together and subjected to the laws that should only affect the "bad" ones.

The problem is, a dog is considered property and then as humans we have rights with our property. I hear it all the time here "don't listen to these idiots. It's your dog, breed it if you want to."

We live in an egocentric "it's all about me" world. People don't think of the big picture. Frankly many don't think past their own wants and needs.

While I think your plan has a basis for solving the problem, I don't think it will work. ETA: I think UHave2Be summed up part of what I was trying to say waaaaay better than I did. (Its before 8am for me too...I think we are both in CA) It seems that laws sometimes only affect the people who follow them.

There will still be selfish idiots who do what they want. Funny thing is, I don't care if someone like you (Jen) or UHave2Be has an intact dog because I know you will not have "accident" litters BUT the only law that I have seen so far attempting to control the animal population is mandatory spay and neuter laws. To get around it, you just have to pay your $20 a year and some BYB, pet quality dog can keep pumping out litters.

Maybe if they were more selective who was allowed the permit...I dunno. Like you said, too early to make my brain work! :).

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.