Allowing children to discover the importance of adopting from animal shelters gives pets a chance for animals who have no place to call home and they hope for a second chance at happiness. By promoting animal adoption to children through various activities such as reading and providing adoption information, overpopulation at local animal shelters should decrease. Overpopulation is defined as when there are an excessive amount of animals (typically dogs and cats) found in the home. need a responsible home while availability is limited. “Approximately 30% of dogs and cats entering animal shelters were surrendered by their owners, and approximately 43% were brought into animal shelters by animal rights authorities” (McNeil, 2006). Another study found that "approximately 26% of dogs were adopted, 16% were rescued by guardians, 55% were euthanized, and the remainder had unknown or other dispositions" (Frank & Carlisle- Frank, 2006). The low number of adoptions in contrast to the large amount of dogs euthanized shows the importance of promoting animal adoption to save countless innocent lives. In contrast, people like Dr. Lila Miller, vice president of veterinary services and veterinary consultant for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believes that although animal euthanasia is "right or wrong, just or unjust, it is a realistic assessment of people's resources" (Whitcomb, 2010). Which means that, while bad, euthanasia is necessary to reduce overpopulation in animal shelters. Considering that 90% of animals entering animal shelters are healthy and adoptable (Frank & Carlisle-Frank, 2003), there is no purpose in euthanizing innocent animals when there may be ways to promote euthanasia. .....Addressing the Problem of Pet Overpopulation: The Experience of New Hanover County Animal Control Services. J Public Health Management Practice, 452–455. Pattnaik, J. (2004). On behalf of their animal friends: Involve children in animal advocacy: Since time immemorial, animals have served human society in at least three general roles: as teachers, as healers, and as companions and friends. Retrieved January 23, 2014, from General Onefile: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA126651950&v=2.1&u=kis11073&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w&asid=b5705d17631f93b4153aef26e897df9Whitcomb, R 10, April ). Understanding pet overpopulation: Some say it's a distribution problem; shelters say we are still killing adoptable animals." Retrieved January 18, 2014, from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA227944943&v=2.1&u=kis11073&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w&asid =ed012e7c1ad58cc2c6642ba8c5d59232