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During the month of October, we’ll be highlighting the importance of dog adoption and rescue to commemorate National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month. And, we’re not the only ones! The ASPCA is also urging animal lovers to do their part: There are tons of ways to get involved this October, ranging from sending a single tweet to making the commitment to adopt. Here are some ways the public can get involved and make a difference during Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month:
- Adopt, Don’t Shop. Visit your local shelter or rescue organization and give a lucky dog a loving home. Consumers who purchase a puppy from a pet store or website run the risk of taking home an unhealthy puppy in addition to the likelihood of supporting the cruel puppy mill industry. Operators of puppy mills breed dogs in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs.
- Take the Pledge. Join the more than 100,000 people who have already taken the “No Pet Store Puppies” pledge to help fight puppy mill cruelty by refusing to buy anything—including food, supplies or toys—at pet stores and on websites that sell puppies.
- Spread the Word. Spread the adoption message to all of your friends and followers online! Send a Tweet with Twitter®, post a Facebook® status, shoot a YouTube® video, take an Instagram® photo, and pin on Pinterest® throughout the entire month of October; every mention makes a difference.
- Get Active for Animals. Volunteering at your local shelter is a great way to make a difference in the lives of shelter dogs. Volunteers can take dogs for walks, socialize them, make the rounds during meal times, or just offer a friendly face for attention. Rescue organizations are always in need of supplies; gather up gently used blankets, towels and toys from friends and family to donate—just be sure to check first to see what rescue groups and shelters need most.
To learn more about Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month, and find shelter dogs who are available for adoption, visit www.aspca.org/ASDM.
Lynn
says:We went to Santa Fe shelter to find a friend for our yellow lab, Ginger. We met a beautiful husky mix, Hope. We went out to a fenced yard and they brought Hope to meet Ginger, but Hope first came to me to see if I would love her. After she knew I loved her, she went to meet Ginger and they have been like sisters ever since. But she is still very much “Mama’s girl.”
Michelle
says:We have 2 rescues: One is a black lab whippet mix. She lived inour local shelter for 1 year of her life. She was in rescue for nearly 2 years. Huney was abused as a pup and had to have many of her teeth removed. She is a sweet girl who loves to be out. She is very timid and enjoys going to the care center I work at to visit our residents there. She will sit for hours if you pet her ears. Cara is our baby of the family. SHe was adopt from another local shelter. She was found abandoned in a wheat field in February in below zero weather. She was approx 4 months old. She is fiesty with other animals but, LOVES PEOPLE! She is a sweet little cuddle bug who sleeps with us everynight. She is what we lovingly call a “milkshake puppy” Someone mixed a bunch of dogs together in a cup shook it up good and out popped Cara. My husband and I could not imagine our lives without these pets of ours. WE WILL NEVER buy a breed specific dog again from a breeder. I cross post for pets across america in high kill shelters and rescues that need assistance.
Sharon Sian
says:I adopted Zena a Rot,She is amazing we love her to death,She has been with us for 3 yrs now,Everyone that meets her loves her,She babysits my grand kids and is just precious,Would hate to be without her,Will always choose a shelter dog. loves her couldn not amagin being with out her
Cassie
says:I adopted a Corgi mix by the name of Banjo. He has filled a void in my life. When I went to the shelter and saw all the adoptees I wanted to bring home, there was just something about my little cave dog. It was his last day and I saved him from being euthanized which also helped me in my decision. He gets along with all 27 dogs we currently own. We pick up animals along the road and have adopted animals from the pound and they always make perfect companions. When we adopted the little feller and we brought him to his new home he had been emotionally and physically abused but gladly after a few days he returned to a grateful puppy.
Cathy
says:I stopped at a rescue event at PetSmart to drop off some blankets, toys and other items. It was 117 that day and I was in my good Sunday clothes. I walked through about half the dogs and got so hot I headed to my car. I stopped, turned and thought I needed to finish looking at all the dogs. That’s when I saw her from across the parking lot. We have a soft spot for cairn terriers and had often discussed adopting a brindle or dark one. We have a blond one at home as well as a min schnauzer (both rescued) Anyway, I walked over to this sad, scared, scrawny little cairn only to find out she was recently rescued from a puppy mill and had been a breeder for 1 1/2 years. She had never had a bath, bed, toy or been held or loved. Her life had been nothing but pain and fear. They told me she would probably never be a lap dog and most likely would not bond with people so they wanted us to have other dogs, which we do. After a few months with her we thought they were going to be right.
She is still very shy and pretty skittish but she wiggles and dances when I come home, follows me everywhere, takes treats from my hands, sleeps on my husbands pillow while he is away, insists on having her ears scratched, rolls over for a belly rub and gets groomed monthly. She is happy, spunky and all cairn terrier. She loves her brothers, steals their toys, piles them at the back door rough houses with them, waits for the older one when he lags behind and lays high up on the couch back to watch all life go by.
When she rolls over on her back, looks at me upside down and falls asleep, all is good in her little world. We call her Gracie.
My husband and I have adopted seven dogs and have three now, the last one was in bad shape thought it was just skin and bones, took him to vet and he is on medicine three times a day and now we are fighting siezers we hope to get him over them with a little work. All the dogs we have gotb from there real happy with.
We just recently adopted a Pitbull mix from TJO Animal Control and Adoption Center 627 Cottage Street, Springfield 01104. She was the only dog in that place that actually jumped up in the window wagging her tail, never once did she bark at us. They let us go into a separate room with her to see how she would do with us, she was running and jumping and whining and playing with us the whole time we were there. The others just barked at us so she is the one we adopted. Her name is Lady and if you go to my facebook page you can see her pictures. I’m so glad that she picked us, she is a wonderful pet and a lot of fun to have around, she keeps my company at night while my husband works. More people should adopt a dog or cat, there are many there that need good homes.