Pet Overpopulation

A mind-boggling number of healthy animals must be put to death in the U.S. each year. Approximately 12 million cats and dogs will end up in U.S. animal pounds or shelters this year. Only 30 percent will be reclaimed by their owners or find new homes. According to the latest research and data, around 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized each year, including 390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats.  The rest are left to die on the roadside or from starvation, exposure, disease, and abuse.  Find out more on national animal welfare statistics here:  https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/pet-adoption-statistics/

The problem was even more serious in Southside Virginia before the Southside SPCA.  Euthanasia rates in the county pounds of our service area were almost 100 percent when we began operating in 1975.  The rates have fallen to average of 50% today due in large part to the Southside SPCA’s efforts, particularly our education and aggressive spay/neuter programs.

We operate two programs designed to continue reducing the number of healthy animals euthanized in Southside Virginia with the goal of eventually reducing it to zero.

During the last two years, we have spayed or neutered almost 3,000 Southside Virginia dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies.  Our goal is to continue increasing these numbers until we reach 2,000 spays and neuters each year by the year 2020.

Please contact us if you wish take advantage of our Low and No-cost Spay/Neuter Program for Pet Owners.   For information on spay/neuter services offered in Southside Virginia go to our education page.