Study of Euthanization of Cats
Humane Society of Santa Clara
January 1 - November 30, 1994
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Reason Number % Total % Cumulative
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1. Sick/poor condition 5482 43.9% 43.9%
2. Feral 2466 19.7% 63.6%
3. Too young 2222 17.8% 81.4%
4. Behavior 1333 10.7% 92.1%
5. Time is up 363 2.9% 95.0%
6. Blank 286 2.3% 97.3%
7. Injured 167 1.3% 98.5%
8. Agressive 81 0.6% 99.2%
9. Too old 77 0.6% 99.8%
10. Overcrowded 14 0.1% 99.9%
11. Non-code 8 0.1% 100.0%
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Total 12499
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Notes:
Cats are only placed in one category, even if they fit several categories. For instance, of the 5482 cats in sick/poor condition, approximately 70% are also feral.
In the category of too young (under 4 weeks of age), these are primarily the offspring of stray/feral cats which are scooped up by someone and taken to the shelter. Ferals/strays and their offspring are estimated to be 70% of cat euthanasias at this shelter.
In the category "Blank", no reason was given for the euthanasia on the paperwork.
The Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley is the 3rd largest in the country, and the largest on the west coast, handling about 40,000 animals per year.