There’s never a wrong time of year to give a dog in need a loving home, but if you’ve been looking for a sign that it’s time to adopt a dog, then Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is it. Throughout October, animal shelters, pet charities, and dog rehoming organizations are going to be going the extra mile to make sure that the millions of stray, abandoned, and surrendered dogs living in animal shelters across the country are on everyone’s radar.
Every year, around six million dogs and cats enter animal shelters across the country, with less than half of them being rehomed or adopted1. No wonder these organizations are stretched to breaking point. For many prospective dog owners, the undeniable appeal of an adorable puppy can be difficult to resist, meaning that breeders keep breeding, and dog shelters keep filling up. And the longer a dog remains a resident of a shelter environment, the more difficult they are to rehome, with many developing health and behavioral issues as a result of their long incarceration, despite the best efforts of the staff and volunteers who dedicate their time to looking after them.
What Is “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month”?
Along with death and taxes, something that is a sad certainty is that there are always going to be dogs in need of loving homes. Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is a chance for animal shelters and charities to highlight these animals through a variety of open days, promotions, fundraisers, celebrity appearances, and discounted adoption fees. A quick search online will no doubt bring up dozens of events planned in your local area.
Even if you’re not currently in a position to give a dog a home, don’t despair. Throughout October, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, spread the joy of canine companionship, and help out your local animal shelter.
How You Can Get Involved
- Adopt a dog! Ask anyone who has given a second chance to a shelter dog, and they will tell you that it is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
- Foster a dog! Animal shelters always need experienced dog lovers to take in dogs that need some time in a home or with a family before they are ready for a forever home. In many ways, fostering dogs is even more important – and rewarding – than adopting.
- Volunteer – one thing that animal shelters rarely have enough of is volunteers. There are always pens to be cleaned, dogs to be walked, and even puppies to be played with and socialized.
- Donate – toys, food, equipment, and of course, cold hard cash. Even a small donation can make a big difference.
- Fundraise – organize an event, raffle, or even just hit up your friends and family to put in some money to donate to a local shelter or charity of your choice.
- Spread the word – every time you share a post, reel, or video about adopting a dog from an animal shelter, you are getting the word out there, so keep on sharing!
Adopt, Don’t Shop
Of course, there will always be breeders, and puppies, and purebred dogs, and we’re not condemning people for choosing to go down that route, but we do recommend that when you decide it’s time to bring a canine companion into your home, you consider the following:
- There are responsible breeders and there are opportunistic, unethical breeders – learn how to tell the difference between the two
- Buying a puppy doesn’t guarantee a healthy, problem-free process – many breeds have health conditions that may not become obvious until later in life
- When you adopt a dog from a recognized animal shelter, they are usually health checked, temperament tested, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and treated for parasites, for an adoption fee that is a fraction of what a purebred pup will set you back
- Many dog rehoming organizations will help with transportation, so you can expand your search beyond your immediate area
Adoption Saves TWO Lives
It is a sad reality that many of the dogs that find their way into shelters are euthanized due to health or behavioral problems, or even more devastatingly, overcrowding. Whenever a dog is adopted, it not only saves their life, but it also makes room for another dog in need, so by adopting one dog, you are effectively saving the lives of two; doesn’t that hit you right in the feels?
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign that you should adopt a shelter dog, this is it!
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Feature Image Credit: hedgehog94, Shutterstock
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What Is “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month”?
