a sobering pet "Did You Know?"

That according to the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States):

• Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
• Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4–6
• In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.
• Only one out of 12 cats born ever find a permanent home.
• There are 45 cats and dogs for every one person born.
• 450 cats and dogs are destroyed each HOUR in the U.S., because there are not enough homes for them!

and more...

• Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million (HSUS estimate)
• Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
• Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year: 3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
• Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:
• Between 600,000 and 750,000: 0% of dogs and 2-5% of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)
• Number of animal shelters in the United States: Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate)
• Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25% (HSUS estimate)
• Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
• Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6
• In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.
• Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
• Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10
• In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.