Too many Fluffys and Fidos

America sure does love its pets. Nearly half the population has at least one pet, making up 77.5 million pet dogs and 93.6 million pet cats—the two most popular species—owned today. Though a vast majority of those pets have been spayed or neutered, the Humane Society of the United States estimates 4 million suitable pets are put down each year due to overpopulation attributed to unfixed animals. Between 6 million and 8 million cats and dogs enter shelters in the United States each year. PAWS of Butte County (Promotion of Animal Welfare Society) runs a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Oroville. For appointments call 534-0900. Citizens who want to help can also visit the PAWS thrift store, at 2075 Baldwin Ave. in Oroville. There’s also a PAWS of Chico, which operates a thrift store 1346 Longfellow Ave. Both organizations help low-income residents. Below are some statistics from the Humane Society of the United States on pet ownership:

39% of U.S. households own at least one dog

24% of dog owners have two dogs

75% of owned dogs have been spayed or neutered

19% of dog owners adopted their pets from a shelter

33% of U.S. households own at least one cat

56% of cat owners have two cats

87% of owned cats have been spayed or neutered

22% of cat owners adopted their pets from a shelter