More than 23,000 pets went through the public shelters in Richland and Lexington counties last year. Nearly 19,000 of them had to be euthanized. The efforts of all of the shelters have not made much headway in stopping the unnecessary euthanization of animals, but it would have been worse without their work. The problem is not that the shelters aren't doing their job, it's that people refuse to get their pets spayed or neutered. Many shelters are overcrowded which is why they need to euthanize the animals.

This is not just an urban problem. Kershaw County euthanized close to 9,000 animals last year. It's estimated that nearly 100,000 pets must be euthanized in South Carolina each year at a cost of about $150 per animal. This means that state taxpayers spend about $15 million a year in an attempt to control the pet population.

People use many excuses for not spaying or neutering their pets. It will not harm the animal, and there are many avenues to get it done. The Columbia Animal Shelter offers low cost procedures as well as special programs for senior citizens. Most veterinarians do the procedure - a recommendation if your animal is already under the care of a doctor.

Having your pet spayed or neutered does not mean you will put shelters out of business. In fact, shelters need all the help they can get to reduce pet overpopulation. An average of 65 animals are picked or turned in to public and private shelters every day.

It is your responsibility to care for your pet. It relies on you for love, food, shelter and health care. Pet Pause is committed to helping shelters find loving homes for all of the animals. We have joined with a number of organizations to help address pet overpopulation in our community, but we also need your help. Please make sure that you pet is spayed or neutered.