For centuries, communities have struggled with how to manage stray and homeless animals. Too often, the answer was killing. History and modern data show us that this approach has never solved the problem—and it never will.
A Brutal Past: Lessons from New York City
In the mid-1800s, New York City officials routinely rounded up stray dogs and drowned them in the Hudson and East Rivers. Iron cages were filled with dogs and lowered into the water at sundown. Thousands were killed every year, yet stray populations remained.
“History proves that killing is a temporary, cruel measure that never addresses the root causes of overpopulation.”
Public outrage over these practices helped inspire the earliest animal welfare laws in the U.S. The legacy is a clear warning: mass killing is not a sustainable solution.
The Modern Picture: What the Data Tells Us
The same cycle repeats when euthanasia is used today as the primary tool for population control.
- In 2024, about 6.5 million cats and dogs entered U.S. shelters.
- More than 600,000 animals were euthanized that same year.
- While euthanasia rates have dropped from 13% in 2019 to 8% in 2024, progress is slow because intake still outpaces positive outcomes.
Communities that depend on euthanasia stay trapped in the same cycle year after year.
What Does Work: Prevention and Support
At SPCA of Brazoria County, we believe in solutions that save lives, not end them.
Spay and Neuter
Every spay or neuter surgery prevents unwanted litters and reduces shelter intake. Our Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic makes these services affordable and accessible, giving families a tool to be part of the solution.
Community Resources
Many families surrender pets not because they want to, but because they feel they have no choice. That’s why our POSH (Pets & Owners Support Hub) program exists—to provide food, vet assistance, pet deposits, and even crisis boarding. Programs like this, proven nationwide, lower intake and keep families and pets together.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
For community cats, TNR humanely reduces colony size and prevents new litters, offering a proven long-term solution.
A Call to Compassion
From the rivers of 19th-century New York to the overcrowded shelters of today, history has shown us that killing animals does not end overpopulation. The answer is prevention, compassion, and support.
By investing in spay/neuter and programs like POSH, we can break the cycle for good.
Together, we can build a Brazoria County where every pet has the chance to live, love, and thrive.
Learn how you can support our lifesaving work at www.spcabc.org/waystogive.
SPCA of Brazoria County 
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