Understanding Pet Overpopulation S. Taylor Slemmer Humane Educator Young-Williams Animal Center www.knoxpets.org

The Questions We’ll Answer Where did today’s pets come from? What is domestication? Why domesticate species? What is the situation for domesticated species today?

Domestication We all know dogs, cats, horses, and as companion animals, but where did they come from? How are they related to their wild counterpart?

Domestication Definition: to train a plant or animal to live in a human environment and be of some use to humans To selectively breed an animal for a particular appearance, behavior, and function

Domestication It takes time and many generations of breeding to domesticate a species

Example: Dogs

Example: Dogs Probably the first domesticated animal Important to set the stage: what were humans doing?

Set the Stage Between 20,000 and 10,000 years ago Humans were nomads Living in small family groups Hunters & Gatherers

Set the Stage Division of Labor Women: The gatherers, caretakers 80% of calories came from their work! Men: The hunters Cooperative hunting Very labor intensive Hit or miss! Wouldn’t it be great to have more help?

So Like Ourselves The other hunter at that time: wolves Why ancient wolves? Pack hunters Family based, Gregarious (live in groups) Very expressive Complex social ranking Dominant Male & Female; Among Males; Among Females

How Is It Done? The act of domestication varies with the animal and what you want it to do For dogs Tame a few wolf cubs The most friendly Allow them to reproduce They pass along those friendly genes Some wild genes (instinct) remain Repeat!

What Do Dogs Do? They shift their prey drive to a team effort They work with humans to hunt Wolves have speed, intelligence, ferocity Humans have intelligence, tools Success of the hunt means more food/calories for both groups

Archaeological Evidence 14,000 in a German Cave 12,000 in an Israeli cave Human burial, holding a dog How do we know it was a dog? Not like today’s dog! Teeth were wolf-like, but smaller Common trend to breed animals smaller Dogs, cats You select for size

Other Species Sheep & Goats 9,000 years ago in the Middle East Food source The people were nomads, but also pastoralists They traveled with animals

Other Species Cattle & Pigs 7,000 years ago People are settling down some Animals are: Meat Milk Fertilizer supply for gardens Agriculture takes hold Human settlement patterns change dramatically

Cats: A Unique Example 4,000 years ago, Egypt Not very social (solitary) How did it ever work? Cats get food, shelter, play Humans get pest control, companionship (sort of!)

Cats: A Unique Example Why are cats still aloof? Only recently domesticated Very resilient It is difficult to control their breeding (more later)

What Does It Mean for the Animals? Dogs Over time, they become dependent on humans In exchange for their efforts (hunting, herding, and eventually companionship) they rely on us for everything Food, water, shelter, security, companionship

What Does It Mean for the Animals? Reproduction is no longer managed by nature Eventually, it is not managed at all (see today) Wild animals have offspring according to: Social structure Seasons Food availability Presence of predators

Companion Animal Reproduction Food is regular People provide it They breed at a younger age Everyone can reproduce Not just dominant animals Predators are scarce They have more litters each year

Companion Animal Reproduction “It’s natures way to let animals have offspring.” Now you see why in this case, it isn’t nature’s way at all. Humans have gotten what they want from animals, but they forgot their end of the bargain

Care Exercise Attention Play Medical Check-Ups

Not Natural At All Over-breeding Remember, nature no longer controls this aspect of domesticated animals’ lives Too many animals, not enough homes

A Special Case: Feral Animals Domestic animals “leak” back into wild populations Mustangs Pigeons Cats Feral cats in our community Do they make good pets

What are the risks for homeless animals?

What is the solution? Spay and neuter your pets Adopt from a shelter Feral cats: TNR Trap Neuter Release

“Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it “Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it. You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

For more information, please contact CAIT www. vet. utk For more information, please contact CAIT www.vet.utk.edu/cait cait@utk.edu 865-755-2276