There are 100,000 more pets in the care of shelters across the country than there were at this same time last year. It’s an overwhelming challenge and only exacerbated by the shortage of veterinary services.

In many communities, unsterilized animals are not allowed to go home with an adopter before the spay/neuter surgery. Unequivocally, Best Friends Animal Society supports the spaying and neutering of pets. But we also believe every healthy or treatable pet in shelters deserves a loving home.

Adopting unaltered animals is not something anyone wants to do. In an increasingly common scenario, shelters are forced to choose. Send an unfixed pet home with an adopter through the front door, or see that healthy or treatable pet leave through the back.

We spoke with the senior director of lifesaving centers for Best Friends, Sue Cosby, to talk more about this practice.

Read the latest editorial on the Best Friends Network, "the paradox of adopting out unaltered animals." https://network.bestfriends.org/proven-strategies/editorials/adopting-out-unaltered-animals