This photography project takes a closer look at the animal overpopulation crisis. Every year in North Carolina, the state in which I live, over 250,000 animals have to be put to sleep because there is no place to put them. That is almost 700 everyday, which I find shocking and heartbreaking. In an attempt to understand and untangle this problem, I have divided this project into four area:

WHERE DO THEY COME FROM asks where do all of these animals come from? and what is the attraction to a pet with a legacy?

HAVE TO BE focuses on the euthanasias of cats and dogs who don’t find homes.

SHELTER LIFE investigates what it is like for cats and dogs as they wait to find homes.

TRYING TO FIX takes a closer look at the spay and neuter process.

I hope these photographs call attention to the tragic epidemic of animal overpopulation, and illuminate what happens when we don’t spay and neuter our pets.