9781422275405

AWARENESS OF THE CAUSE

RIGHTS OF ANIMALS A recent study found that 32 percent of Americans agree that animals should have the same rights as people. ANIMALS IN AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the total number of land animals slaughtered for food in the United States has ranged between 8.9 and 9.5 billion since 2000.

• The United States is a major producer of leather. It is one of the world’s largest producer of bovine hide and exports all over the world.

• Americans trap and kill more wild animals for fur than any other country (up to 7 million annually).

CATS AND DOGS • It’s estimated that 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats are owned in the United States. Approximately 40.1 percent of all households in the United States have a dog, and 33.7 percent have a cat.

PET OWNERSHIP

SMALL 4.3%

EQUINE 2.1%

FISH 10.9%

REPTILES 4%

BIRDS 4.9%

DOGS 40.1%

• APPA (American Pet Products Association) reports that 34

CATS 33.7%

percent of dogs are purchased from breeders, while 23 percent of dogs and 31 percent of cats are obtained from an animal shelter or humane society.

SOURCE: Lend a Helping Paw.

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