In Arizona, thousands and thousands of dogs, cats, and other animals are killed every year. In Maricopa an average of 1 animal every 6 minutes that the shelter was open to the public was killed. In Tucson the numbers are staggering! Why? There are a number of reasons that shelters come up with that are just excuses. Some say it's because the animal is too "aggressive - yet rescue groups have intervened and found homes for many dogs labeled "aggressive," and these dogs are not - they are scared in those places...who wouldnt be. Or the animal is sick - not with a deadly disease but with kennel cough or a mild cold and so it doesn't have a chance to go up for adoption. Others kill them based on breed alone, such as pit bulls, or even dogs that look slightly similar to pit bulls. And then there are people who take animals in and sign them up and pay for the animal to be killed, instead of thinking that the animal might get a good home. Some shelters say they do it because they have to make room for other dogs, or that they're required to. But in reality they have the power to stop killing them, they just choose not to only because it is easier for them to kill animals than for them to say they were wrong and change - they haven't done a thing to prevent killing innocent animals. This is wrong! Any dog that is taken into an animal shelter or found by the shelters should all be given the chance to find a forever home. Many shelters across the nation have become "no-kill". Why not ours? Money that goes to killing animals should instead go to helping notify the public about animals who need homes and getting animals the medical attention they need. The number one excuse the shelters use to kill animals is because of "overpopulation" and they blame the public for the death of innocent animals, when in reality, there are lots of people who want to help, but don't know how to, or how bad the situation really is. And it isn't in just Arizona, but in the entire nation. Is this fair? What do you think? By signing or supporting this petiton, it is possible to end the killing of animals so that they too may get another chance at finding their perfect home. We, the youth of Arizona have a voice too and its time to tell shelter directors and the media and the public what we think!