Do you remember your pet’s gotcha day? I do!
I talked about the day I made a run to the grocery store and came home with milk, eggs, bread, and a cute Siamese Calico kitten I would later name Dusty. She was at risk of being a shelter cat but divine intervention kicked in luckily for me.
Can you relate?
Did you get your pet from a shelter?
However you came to get Fluffy, I know you did your part to give an animal a loving home. Unfortunately, millions of animals are not so lucky. This week on April 30th we recognize Adopt a Shelter pet day.
Are you familiar with this special day? Keep reading.
Origin of Adopt a Shelter Pet Day- April 30th
According to AmericanHumane.org, National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day was created in an effort to raise awareness for the millions of animals waiting for their forever homes in shelters across the country.
The origin of this day came from the creation of Adopt a Dog Month back in October 1981 to bring awareness about dogs stuck in the shelter system. It was not long before other pet owners started talking about having a day where all pets are celebrated, and people are made aware of the need and benefits of adopting these animals as pets. This is how April 30th became known as National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day.
Why is adopting a shelter pet important?
Here are a few alarming statistics.
According to the ASPCA, over 6.3 million animals enter shelters every year, however, only about 4.1 million animals in shelters get adopted.
Additionally, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized in shelters annually due to a lack of space, food, and resources.
Why Choose a Shelter Pet?
Maybe you are looking to adopt or perhaps you are not quite ready yet. Either way choosing a shelter pet to become part of your family is a great idea and here’s why.
- Many shelter pets are already house trained.
- Many shelter pets have already been socialized and can safely interact with adults, children, and other animals.
- They have been vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
- Unlike purebred animals, shelter animals cost next to nothing versus hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Now that you are aware of the origin of this special day and how National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day impacts animals, let’s explore ways you can show support in your community.
5 Easy ways to show support on Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
1) Volunteer at a shelter
One of the easiest and fun ways to show support for animals in shelters is by volunteering at a shelter or nonprofit organization that helps pets.
The great thing about volunteering is that you can dedicate time on your own schedule after work or before work. You can use your talents and skills and abilities to help shelter pets and need.
Whether that means using your administrative skills to help complete paperwork in an office or if you like the hands-on approach and work directly with animals cleaning, feeding, and cleaning cages, you can do your part to help shelter animals in need.
Volunteering is a great way to show your support.
2) Donate/ Complete a wish list for a shelter organization.
Another way you can show support for animals on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is by donating monetary funds or helping to fulfill a wish list for shelter organizations that need pet supplies, food, and other resources.
Sometimes taking time to volunteer your time is not an option but you still want to show your support. A great way to do this is by donating money to help provide food, toys and other resources for organizations helping shelter pets in need.
3) Spread the word.
Another way to help shelter pets in need at no cost is by spreading the word about National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on social media. Knowledge is power. When you have the ability to learn more you can do more to help others in need. Strike up a conversation with friends.
4) Foster a pet to help them find a forever home.
Another way to help animals in need is by fostering a pet to help them find their forever home.
Maybe you’ve experienced a recent loss and are not ready to adopt a pet. However, you can still help by fostering. I shared some of my own fostering adventures on the blog you can check out my experience here.
Fostering is a great way to welcome a pet into your home at low or no cost to you, as food and supplies are provided. Additionally, fostering a shelter pet helps them get further socialization and comfort in a safe environment. And you never know. You may become a foster failure and permanently help a shelter pet in need.
5) Adopt a shelter pet.
Lastly, adopting a shelter pet is the best way you can help become part of the solution with the greatest return. Welcoming a shelter pet as part of your family is the best gift you can give them as they will undoubtedly be forever grateful and show you unconditional love and support for the rest of their days. Providing a permanent loving home, safe refuge for a shelter pet, and expanding your family is priceless.
Where can I find a shelter pet?
Adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment. If you are serious about adopting or fostering a shelter pet, here are a few resources to explore.
The Shelter Pet Project
PetFinder
Animal Care Centers of NYC
ASPCA
Final Thoughts
To conclude, those are five easy and fun ways that you can show your support for Adopt a Shelter pet day. Today and every day is a great opportunity to show support for animals in need. From fostering and adoption to donating money and volunteering, you can easily demonstrate your support of shelter animals.
Please help me spread the word about this important day by sharing this blog post with a pin or tag a friend.
Let me know how you will show your support for shelter pets on April 30th. Leave a comment below.
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Sources:
https://nationaltoday.com/national-adopt-shelter-pet-day/
https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/blog/adopt-shelter-pet-day-how-get-involved
https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pets/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics