To make a difference across the country, Cherie Travis, the commissioner of Animal Care and Control in Chicago, says pet owners must spay and neuter their animals. 

Visit the Human Society's website for more information on spaying and neutering your pet. 

"If people in this country sterilize their pets and adopt from shelters, this problem is fixed," Cherie says. "There are healthy, adoptable animals at every shelter across the country and they're beautiful animals. People just need to give them a chance."

Learn more about adopting a pet from Animal Care and Control in Chicago.