The General Assembly for the State of Delaware hereby finds that:

(1) During 2002, of the 22,165 dogs and cats which were received at Delaware’s primary animal facilities, of those received:

a. Two thousand four hundred and nine (11%) were returned to their owners/guardians; while

b. Seven thousand two hundred and ninety (33%) were adopted; and

c. Twelve thousand six hundred and fifty-nine (57%) were euthanized.

(2) During 2003, of the 24,510 dogs and cats which were received at Delaware’s primary animal facilities, of those received:

a. Two thousand one hundred and eighty-six animals (9%) were returned to their owners/guardians; while

b. Seven thousand one hundred and twenty-five animals (29%) were adopted; and

c. Thirteen thousand six hundred and fifty-three animals (56%) were euthanized.

(3) During 2004, of the 21,254 dogs and cats which were received at Delaware’s primary animal facilities, of those received:

a. Two thousand one hundred and ninety-three animals (10.3%) were returned to their owners/guardians; while

b. Five thousand five hundred animals (25.8%) were adopted; and

c. Thirteen thousand and sixty-seven animals (61.4%) were euthanized.

(4) During 2005, of the 21,062 dogs and cats which were received at Delaware’s primary animal facilities or those received:

a. Two thousand two hundred and ninety-nine animals (10.9%) were returned to their owners/guardians; while

b. Five thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven animals (27.7%) were adopted; and

c. Thirteen thousand five hundred and eighty three animals (64.4%) were euthanized.

(5) As Delaware’s human population growth rate increases so too will the population growth rate of the dog and cat populations, the intake at animal facilities and the consequent disposition rates associated therewith.

(6) Controlling the dog and cat population would have a significant benefit to the public health and safety in the following manner:

a. Reducing nuisance complaints regarding homeless dogs and cats;

b. Reducing the number of homeless dogs and cats seeking to mate;

c. Reducing the number of dog and cat bite cases involving children;

d. Minimizing opportunities for rabies transmission;

e. Decreasing the number of automobile accidents caused by stray dogs and cats; and

f. Reducing cruelty to animals opportunities by addressing and decreasing the presence of unwanted/nuisance populations.

(7) This subchapter recognizes the economic hardships associated with animal population control, the problems associated with homeless animals, and the societal impacts associated with failing to address these problems and establishes a program focused upon addressing dog and cat population control by providing a means by which population control and rabies vaccinations may be financed.

75 Del. Laws, c. 326, § ?1; 79 Del. Laws, c. 377, § ?2;