Recognize the Phrase "Pet Overpopulation"

ISAR%u2019S %u201CONE-HUNDRED-THOUSAND-SIGNATURES%u201D CAMPAIGN TO
%u201COFFICIALLY%u201D RECOGNIZE THE PHRASE %u201CPET OVERPOPULATION%u201D

Each year millions of dogs and cats, puppies and kittens, are killed in shelters and on the streets due to a lack of responsible homes. Because ISAR recognizes the impact pet overpopulation has, we vigorously promote the spaying and neutering of companion animals to dramatically reduce the rate of pet overpopulation and possibly one day even eliminate it. ISAR is hard at work spreading the spay/neuter message as a solution to the nation%u2019s dog and cat overpopulation crisis. Through education, legislation, and direct action campaigns, ISAR hopes to end indiscriminate breeding and human ignorance that leads to the killing of millions of healthy, but homeless, animals each year in the United States. It is ISAR%u2019s objective to educate others about the problems that pet overpopulation precipitates. One way we hope to increase the knowledge of "pet overpopulation" is by having that phenomenon added as an entry in the American language dictionaries.

Because pet overpopulation is such a serious problem today, ISAR believes that phrase is undeniably worthy of becoming a dictionary entry. A word finds its way into the dictionary by the number of times it is used. The educational value of having the term "pet overpopulation" in the dictionary would be a tremendous accomplishment. By obtaining for "pet overpopulation" a place in the dictionary, we would be identifying a serious animal issue.

It is important to use the term "pet overpopulation" on a consistent basis to ensure its circulation throughout the English
language. The more this term is used, the better chance it has at becoming an entry in the dictionary. The placement of "pet overpopulation" in the dictionary would serve as an important tool for educating people about this terrible problem. We need to utilize every avenue to educate men, women and children about the issue of pet overpopulation and the necessity to spay and neuter to end the needless killing.

In addition to signing ISAR%u2019s Petition to "Officially" Recognize the Phrase "Pet Overpopulation", ISAR encourages its supporters to send to ISAR photocopies of the word "pet overpopulation" as it is used in publications. The word can be submitted from printed media such as books, newspapers, magazines, song lyrics, etc%u2026 Include with your word submissions, the word used in context, and bibliographic information (source, date of publication, page number, etc.). Please be as specific as possible with the information you send.

You can submit by regular mail all examples to ISAR, P.O. Box F, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or you may send them by fax to ISAR at (570) 586-9580.

Together with the many examples of how and where the phrase "pet overpopulation" is used, ISAR hopes to submit to the editors of dictionary publishers thousands-upon-thousands of signatures supporting our campaign.

WHEREAS, the problem of dog and cat overpopulation is widespread throughout the United States, and

WHEREAS, the phrase "pet overpopulation" is in common usage, and

WHEREAS, that phrase is commonly understood to mean that there are far more dogs and cats, puppies and kittens, than available homes for them, and

WHEREAS, a consequence of such overpopulation is the destruction and other death of millions of those animals each year, and

WHEREAS, even though the phrase "pet overpopulation" thus describes a contemporary social problem of huge proportions,
no standard American language dictionary contains that phrase, and

WHEREAS, incorporation of the phrase "pet overpopulation" in standard American language dictionaries would, among other benefits, facilitate research, bestow status on the concept, and raise the consciousness of users of such dictionaries,

NOW, THEREFORE, we the undersigned, hereby petition the recipients of this Petition to incorporate and appropriately define the phrase "pet overpopulation" in their next edition.