During the 1970's, there was a social movement called "Zero Population Growth.” The idea was that people who wanted children should only procreate enough to replace themselves; in other words, two children per family. It was commonly known as ZPG.
For some reason this movement just died out. For religious or other reasons, people kept having kids and more kids, thinking (I guess) that, as long as they could afford them, why not? Personally, I feel that's taking the short view. There are other things to consider when it comes to planet population. There are ecological factors, health issues, loss of animal habitat. This latter one is a big deal to me.
When we first bought the property on which we live, we saw evidence of deer. We recognized where they bedded down and occasionally saw them peeking through the trees. After a few months of zealously crashing through the woods on the tractor, we managed to run them off. I've always regretted that.
What does that have to do with ZPG? I think we have things just a little backward. We don't need to run off the wild things, we should put some controls on those things we are responsible for. Spay and neuter your pets! When you spay, you drastically reduce her chances of developing mammary cancer. When you neuter, you drastically reduce his chances of testicular cancer. And every day - every single day - we get calls about abandoned dogs and feral cats. As an added factoid, did you realize that 40,000 kittens are born in this country every day? EVERY DAY.
There is so much education to be done. We all need educating about something, but the problem of pet overpopulation can be placed at just about everyone's doorstep. Before I got into the business of rescue, I was as unknowing as anybody. There is a whole universe of information about this, hidden behind politics, ethics and emotional needs. When you get right down into it, you see the situation for what it really is, and it's terrible.
I'm hoping that someday everyone will be knowledgeable about this problem, and we can work to make it better. If you have any questions, or comments, feel free to contact me. I'm usually available - taking care of unadoptable dogs and noisy cats.
Feel free to contact me at bacranch@vzinet.com with the word "column" in the subject field.
Carol Whatley
President, Van Zandt County Humane Society