Pets seem permanently linked to the American dream. On TV, the ideal family is usually portrayed as Mom, Dad, two kids, a dog and a cat.

But each year millions of pets — hamsters, gerbils, horses, snakes as well as the ubiquitous cat and dog — find themselves homeless and in the shelter system.

The numbers are stark and chilling. Every 6.5 seconds a dog or cat is euthanized in the United States. Every 1.2 seconds another is born.

There are thousands of organizations working to find homes for as many pets as possible, including several in Lee and Collier counties. These groups house animals in kennels and foster homes with the hope that a better life awaits them.

Unfortunately, economics and the endless stream of homeless animals make this a difficult proposition, especially for the area’s two county-run facilities, which together had to euthanize as many as 16,000 pets last year.

One dog waiting for a new home is Scout, a 9-month-old Goldendoodle who came to the Humane Society Naples about two months ago when his owners realized they couldn’t keep him in their new home.

Scout has been in foster care since the Daily News and the Humane Society Naples began a search for his forever family in April with a call for interested potential owners. The idea was to find him a home, of course, but also to draw attention to the plight of the thousands of other animals — equally worthy but perhaps with a humbler pedigree — that come through the system locally.

The Humane Society had nearly 50 people express interest in adopting Scout and 15 who filled out the adoption application. The staff narrowed it down to three families and now they are asking Daily News readers to help them pick Scout’s new owners. Each family has been approved as owners by the Humane Society.

"There were a lot of factors that led to us choosing these families, though there were probably another five or 10 families who we would have adopted Scout to," says Michael Simonik, executive director of Humane Society Naples. "But one thing they all have in common is either having owned golden retrievers or doodles before. These people know a lot about the breed already."

Here are the families:

The Depasquales

Family: Vin, 63, and wife Debbie, age withheld, with children Cody, 12, and Ginger, 10

Occupation: Vin owns the Dock at Crayton Cove and Riverwalk at Tin City. Debbie is a stay-at-home mother.

Current pets: Trouble, 9, and Smoky, 3 (both cats).

Pet history: Both Vin and Debbie have had golden retrievers, all of which were lost to cancer the past few years

House/neighborhood: currently living in Coquina Sands, but moving to the Pine Ridge area, where they are building a house on a 1 1/2-acre lot. "There’ll be plenty of room for Scout to run," Vin says.

Why Scout? "We saw the article in the paper," he says. "We had been interested in Goldendoodles because we have a friend who has one. What impressed us is that they don’t shed. Cody has an allergy to dog dander, but he really wants a dog. So it seemed that a Goldendoodle was a good fit.

Thoughts on Scout: "I was curious what he would be like," Vin says. "So I went down to the Humane Society to hang out with him before we applied. He just bonded with me right away. It was the same for the rest of the family. We’ve all become really attached to him.

"I had to tell the kids that this isn’t a done deal yet and to not get their hopes up too much. But we’ll all be sad if he goes to someone else. Luckily, we’ll know he’s going to another good home."

And if you don’t get Scout? "We’ll probably start looking for another dog," he says. "I think I’m ready to take on another dog. It was tough to lose our dogs but it’s time to get another one."

The Sagers

Family: Gary, 69, and Emily, 68

Occupation: land developers in Florida and Indiana

Current pets: none

Pet history: Molly, a bearded collie, died at 14 about a year ago. They had Muffin, a golden retriever, for 16 years before that.

House/neighborhood: In Naples, they live in a villa with a "huge" backyard in Village Walk. "There are tons of walking trails and places for him to run," Emily Sager says. In Indiana, they live on a 100-acre farm.

Why Scout? "We had decided when we lost Molly that we weren’t going to just get another puppy. We wanted to rescue a dog," Gary Sager says. "We went down to the Humane Society and fell in love with Scout even before the contest had been announced."

Thoughts on Scout: "Gary and Scout, just immediately bonded," says Emily. "They looked into each others eyes and there was an understanding. When we got to have our day with him, it was quite a day. We went on 2 1/2-mile walk with him, watched the ducks, went out to lunch and dinner and took a nap by the pool. He went everywhere with us, just like he would if we get to adopt him."

"He’ll be with us 99 percent of the time," Gary says.

And if you don’t get Scout? "We’ll still pursue finding a good dog that needs a home," Gary says. "That’s what we are hoping for with Scout. But if it doesn’t happen, we’ll keep looking."

Suzanne Grote and Jonathan Kepple

Family: Suzanne, 29, and Jonathan, 30

Occupation: Suzanne teaches in Collier County and Jonathan is a commercial real estate agent

Current pets: Charlie, a 2-year-old Labradoodle, and Tigger, a 6-year-old cat.

Pet history: "I grew up with standard poodles," Suzanne says. "Now my family is into Labradoodles." Two of her family members have two of Charlie’s litter mates.

House/neighborhood: at the end of a cul de sac off in Bonita Springs. "We’re fencing in the yard right now, so there will be plenty of room to play," she says.

Why Scout? "I couldn’t resist him when I saw the picture in the paper," she says. "I love doodles and I’ve been looking to get one out of the initial puppy stage. Scout would make a great playmate for Charlie."

Thoughts on Scout: "As soon he got here, Charlie and him took to each other," Suzanne says. "They played great together. He even played a little hide and seek with Tigger. Then we took our weekly trip to the dog beach. Charlie got to show of her new boyfriend to all the other dogs. Scout just loved the water; he had a great time."

And if you don’t get Scout? "We’re going to look to get another dog," she says. "I’m not sure if we are going to adopt another dog or look for another doodle somewhere else."

By the numbers

Nationally

6-8 million: number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year

3-4 million: Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year

3-4 million: Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year

Between 600,000 and 750,000 (30 percent of dogs and 2-5 percent of cats): number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year

Between 4,000 and 6,000: number of animal shelters in the United States

25 percent: dogs in shelters that are purebred

3: average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year

4-6: average number of kittens in a feline litter

2: average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year

6-10: average number of puppies in a canine litter

Source: The Humane Society of the United States

Locally

Nearly 28,000: number of animals entering Lee and Collier county shelters in 2006

About 16,000: number of animals euthanized in 2006

About 8,000: number of animals adopted

About 15 percent: animals returned to their owners

Sources: Collier County Domestic Animal Services, Humane Society Naples, Gulf Coast Humane Society, Lee County Animal Services