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Pet Overpopulation Epidemic

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Pet Overpopulation Epidemic
Persuasive Speech
Topic: Pet Overpopulation Epidemic
General Purpose: To persuade.
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that the public is to blame for the pet overpopulation epidemic.
Central Idea: In order to control the overwhelming population of homeless pets, we need to stop throwing our “family friends” away.

There are 1.5 dogs and cats put to sleep every second & 4-6 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year, states the Humane Society. The pet overpopulation epidemic has become more than overwhelming. But who is at fault for the ever increasing number of homeless and euthanized pets each year? The public, government and breeders all have their hand in this catastrophic epidemic. So who is to blame for this epidemic? Since government intervention has caused more harm than foul, what will need to change in order for anything to improve? The pet overpopulation epidemic is not a myth, not something to be swept under the rug or shamelessly forgotten. This epidemic is our making and therefore our responsibility.
So where does the problem really lie? One would think its 100% the fault of breeders and those multitudes of litters. But no, that is not the route of the problem, not by a long shot. Breeders are the effect of the problem, and the massive pet overpopulation is the aftermath. Yes, breeders, as a whole, are breeding more litters than there are homes for, yet, they are selling them. So why is that, why are breeders selling their litters when there's a worldwide pet overpopulation problem? Because people do not look at the purchase of a puppy or kitten as a lifelong commitment. Puppies and kittens are so cute, most are purchased on impulse. Who could, after all, resist that cute little face? Yes, the problem lies with the general public who, do not research, and buy these pets without thoroughly thinking it through. Without doing their homework on the type of pet they should get, and without taking the time to learn what a dog really



Bibliography: American Humane Association. Adoption & Pet Care: Issues and information. 2009. 5 11 2010 . Avery, Gladys. "Overpopulation – The Importance of Spaying and Neutering." 22 July 2007. I Heart Paws. 5 November 2010 . Humane Society. Pet Over Population. 2010. 18 11 2010 . Mansuso, Judie. "One of the most frequent questions asked about SB 250 is." n.d. SB:250. 5 November 2010 . Pennington, Ian. "Facts on Pet Overpopulation." n.d. Eziine @rticles. 10 11 2010 . Sadler, Anna. "Pet Overpopulation -- A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy?" September 1994. The Cat Fanciers Association, Inc. 10 11 2010 .

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