Animal overpopulation is a crisis in the Lehigh Valley and throughout the United States. Peaceable Kingdom and other "no-kill" animal rescue groups believe that diligent efforts to prevent overbreeding will ultimately prove to be a humane and effective solution to animal overpopulation.

Every year, in the United States, an estimated 5 million companion animals lose their lives in shelters because they are homeless. In the Lehigh Valley alone, approximately 5,000 healthy companion animals are euthanized annually. These figures do not include the untold number of animals that are born and die in the wild, or those euthanized at veterinary clinics.

Cats are a particular problem because they are exceptionally prolific. An unspayed female can produce two or three litters per year, with as many as seven or eight kittens per litter. In less than 10 years, one unspayed female, her mate and their offspring can produce a colony of more than a million cats!

The bottom line: Every cat neutered prevents thousands from being born only to die in shelters or in the wild.

• Have your own animal companions spayed or neutered.
• Don't let animals roam. Keep them indoors, in a fenced yard or on a leash at all times.
• Educate yourself. As a start, check out our reference list.
• Educate others. Make sure your family members, neighbors and friends understand the importance of having their animal companions neutered.
• Contact local animal shelters and offer to help with spay/neuter efforts.
• Contact legislators and urge them to support no-kill animal overpopulation solutions.