Running head: ANNOTATED BILIOGRAPHY 1

Annotated Bibliography

University of Texas at El Paso

Ashlee Marrufo

RWS 1301
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Abstract

This annotated bibliography describes how animal overpopulation is an issue and not a lot of

people are aware of or its effects. Animal overpopulation is a big issue among us due to many

the problems of both parties’ pets and humans. But human beings are the main reason why so

many animals are suffering now. As a pet owner there is responsible for our companion and their

needs. These animals cannot do it on their own and if we do not provide help there are

consequences. Most consequences are mainly going to affect those animals that are abandoned,

lost, and unwanted.

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Annotated Bibliography

Animal overpopulation, according to McNeil and Constandy (2015), is an ongoing

problem where “exposure to rabies has become a risk to humans” (pg. 452). Being exposed to

rabies, vaccines are required to help treat the disease before it can harm the health of humans.

Through research and investigation NHCHD can provide human population health and safety

services due to the exposure of rabies (pg.452). In order to overcome this health issue NHCHD

has manage a business plan to ensure the effects of overpopulation to decrease and how they plan

to do it is by having these animals spayed/neutered (pg.453). Therefore, the exposure of rabies

can be a concern for people health and should be regulated.

Research Questions

How does animal overpopulation effects UTEP?

What could happen if we do not address this problem?

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Annotated Bibliography

Frank, J. (2004). An interactive model of human and companion animal dynamics: The ecology

and economics of dog overpopulation and the human costs of addressing the problem.

Human Ecology, 32(1), 107-130. Retrieved from http://0-

www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/stable/4603504

According to Franks, the overpopulation of animals is a problem created by human kind

and could only be resolved if humans address it. In conclusion these animals will fall in

the middle between the human world and the natural community, best of both worlds. But

this leads them to be labeled as property or a “tradable good.” This is where humans need

to realize that having a companion there is a responsibility to own up too. Theses

companions depend on us to serve for their needs. Humans are responsible for the

welfare of these animals that we bring to our society.

Poss, J. E., & Bader, J. O. (2007). Attitudes toward companion animals among Hispanic

residents of a Texas border community. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science,

10(3), 243-253. 10.1080/10888700701353717 Retrieved from

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10888700701353717

According to Poss and Bader, animal overpopulation and the free roaming of dogs are

causing significant problems within communities, especially among the Texas border

communities such as El Paso County. These free roaming dogs consist of strays and

owned dogs that do not confined to their home or guardians. Resident’s attitudes about

the impact of animals roaming around have concerns about the effect of having them

spay and neuter. Some of these companions face a hard living as well as the owners due

to the circumstances.
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Linzey, A. (2004). Animal welfare and rights. Pet and companion animals. In S. G. Post

(Ed.), Encyclopedia of Bioethics (3rd ed. ed., pp. 205-208). New York: Macmillan

Reference USA. Retrieved from http://0-

link.galegroup.com.lib.utep.edu/apps/doc/CX3402500055/GVRL?u=txshracd260

3&sid=GVRL&xid=7902a8dd

The author claims that high pet population can upraise numerous problems for us

human beings. These hazards can cause health nuisance and social control. These

animals can communicate diseases like “toxicara canis,” which can cause

blindness in young children. Another issue would the cost of providing the food

that these animals need. As well as those dogs that are stray and are aggressive

can become dangerous to the community. This is a negative side effect due to the

cause of animal overpopulation.

Tanner, J. T. (1978). Guide to the study of animal populations. Knoxville: University of

Tennessee Press.

The author stipulates the measurement of observed increases or decreases in

population size and analyzes the changes. The growth of these populations increase

over the period which lead to issues like the food sources and the space in the

community. The decrease of a population can lead to the instinct of that population

over time. So the growth of these populations should be carefully observed and

analyze to come up with a solution on how to keep everything constant and steady.
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McNeil, J., & Constancy, E. (February 20, 2006.). Addressing the problem of pet

overpopulation: The experience of new hangover county animal control

services. Retrieved Animal Overpopulation, 2006,

from https://sph.unc.edu/files/2015/07/nciph-maph-jphmp-452-455.pdf

According to McNeil and Constancy, pet overpopulation is an issue among

humans due to the increased rabies exposure and this puts a strain on animal

control agencies that help out in the community. These animal control agencies

take on a big role within our community. They have to deal with the unwanted

pets and that becomes a problem. Simply because they have to come up with a

plan to diminish the amount of unwanted companions in the community. They

came across a solution to start a facility to spay or neuter pets. To help eliminate

the overpopulation.

Olmedo, C., Camacho, G. & Caire, M. (2008). El Paso animal services survey: Support
for no kill community.

https://digitalcommons.utep.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1077&context=iped
_techrep
These authors presented a survey to support the ‘no kill’ community to residents

from El Paso County about stray and unclaimed animals within the community.

This survey regards the ‘no kill’ initiative as well as the residents’ attitude based

upon this issue. There is a problem overall in El Paso community with the amount

of stray and unclaimed animals. This would include both cats and dogs. These pet

owners are responsible for providing care. For the unclaimed animals they

shouldn’t be euthanized, they should put for adoption. With this ‘no kill’ survey
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more people were aware of this problem and took action. Eventually EPAS

became a ‘no kill’ community.

PETA. March 2, 2018. Companion animal overpopulation.

https://www.peta.org/issues/companion-animal-issues/overpopulation/

According to the author, every year there more and more lost, abandoned, or

unwanted dogs and cats in the animal shelters. Not all of these dogs and cats are

adopted and well taken of afterwards. More animals are in need of help for

example, they need a family to care for them in a permanent home. Some of these

cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters every year, but the alternative to this is

the “no kill” shelters. But the reality to this is that these animals suffer way more

due to being the cage for so long. Many more unwanted companions suffer more

simply because they are left to fend for themselves. In these conditions many

animals go insane from being alone and confinement.