To: Supervisor Susan Gorin, Supervisor David Rabbitt, Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, Supervisor Gore,
ELIMINATE BLOCKS THAT PREVENT CITIZENS FROM HELPING WITH SHELTER OVERCROWING
We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to amend the residential dog limit ordinance to allow pet owners to foster more than four dogs in their homes. This change is crucial due to the following reasons:
Saving Lives: Animal shelters across the nation are facing severe overcrowding, leading to the heartbreaking necessity of euthanizing healthy dogs due to space constraints. By allowing foster homes to care for more than four dogs, we can significantly reduce the number of animals euthanized each year.
Community Support: Fostering dogs not only helps the animals but also provides a service to the community. It alleviates the burden on shelters, opens up resources for other animals in need, and promotes a culture of care and compassion.
Shelter Assistance: Shelters are often underfunded and understaffed. By permitting and encouraging fostering at a larger scale, we directly support these facilities by extending their reach and capacity without additional financial strain.
Mental Health Benefits: Numerous studies have shown that fostering animals can greatly improve the mental health of the caregivers. The act of fostering provides a sense of purpose, reduces feelings of loneliness, and increases overall happiness.
We propose the following amendments to the current ordinance:
Increase the allowable number of fostered dogs from four to a reasonable number that ensures the welfare of the animals and considers the space available in the foster home.
Implement a foster home certification process to ensure that all fostered dogs receive proper care and live in a safe environment.
Provide support and resources to foster homes to aid in the care and eventual adoption of the fostered dogs.
By signing this petition, we are voicing our belief that every life is valuable and that with a collective effort, we can create a more humane and compassionate society. Let us join hands to make a difference in the lives of these dogs and the families willing to open their hearts and homes to them.
Saving Lives: Animal shelters across the nation are facing severe overcrowding, leading to the heartbreaking necessity of euthanizing healthy dogs due to space constraints. By allowing foster homes to care for more than four dogs, we can significantly reduce the number of animals euthanized each year.
Community Support: Fostering dogs not only helps the animals but also provides a service to the community. It alleviates the burden on shelters, opens up resources for other animals in need, and promotes a culture of care and compassion.
Shelter Assistance: Shelters are often underfunded and understaffed. By permitting and encouraging fostering at a larger scale, we directly support these facilities by extending their reach and capacity without additional financial strain.
Mental Health Benefits: Numerous studies have shown that fostering animals can greatly improve the mental health of the caregivers. The act of fostering provides a sense of purpose, reduces feelings of loneliness, and increases overall happiness.
We propose the following amendments to the current ordinance:
Increase the allowable number of fostered dogs from four to a reasonable number that ensures the welfare of the animals and considers the space available in the foster home.
Implement a foster home certification process to ensure that all fostered dogs receive proper care and live in a safe environment.
Provide support and resources to foster homes to aid in the care and eventual adoption of the fostered dogs.
By signing this petition, we are voicing our belief that every life is valuable and that with a collective effort, we can create a more humane and compassionate society. Let us join hands to make a difference in the lives of these dogs and the families willing to open their hearts and homes to them.
Why is this important?
In 2023, over 6.5 million animals (3.3 million cats and 3.2 million dogs) entered animal shelters and rescue organizations.
Shelters are experiencing their fourth year of having too many animals and not enough adoptions, especially for dogs.
The number of dogs euthanized in 2023 surpassed the number of cats euthanized for the first time since the creation of The National Database, with 359,000 dogs euthanized1.
Non-live outcomes (including shelter euthanasia and deaths in care) for dogs are on the rise — up 31% from 2022, and up 85% from 2021.
The gap of cats and dogs waiting for an outcome sits at 4.4% for Q3, meaning that 4.4% more animals are entering than leaving already overburdened shelters.
Stray dogs taken in by shelters have risen 6% in the January to November period compared to 2022 and are up about 22% since 2021.
These statistics highlight the urgency of the situation and the need for action to support animal shelters and the welfare of the animals they care for. Including these figures in your petition can help underscore the critical nature of the issue and the positive impact that amending the residential dog limit for foster homes could have.
Shelters are experiencing their fourth year of having too many animals and not enough adoptions, especially for dogs.
The number of dogs euthanized in 2023 surpassed the number of cats euthanized for the first time since the creation of The National Database, with 359,000 dogs euthanized1.
Non-live outcomes (including shelter euthanasia and deaths in care) for dogs are on the rise — up 31% from 2022, and up 85% from 2021.
The gap of cats and dogs waiting for an outcome sits at 4.4% for Q3, meaning that 4.4% more animals are entering than leaving already overburdened shelters.
Stray dogs taken in by shelters have risen 6% in the January to November period compared to 2022 and are up about 22% since 2021.
These statistics highlight the urgency of the situation and the need for action to support animal shelters and the welfare of the animals they care for. Including these figures in your petition can help underscore the critical nature of the issue and the positive impact that amending the residential dog limit for foster homes could have.
