This week's EMM: Adopt a shelter animal or volunteer at an animal shelter!
FACTS
- There are 4,000 to 6,000 animal shelters in the U.S.
- Nearly 8 million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters each year.
- Approximately 3 to 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year because there are not enough homes.
- 1 out of 4 dogs in shelters are purebreds. Adoption fees are usually much less than the cost of purchasing a dog from a pet store or breeder.
- Only 16% of owned dogs and 15% of owned cats were adopted from an animal shelter.
- Many shelters vaccinate, de-worm, and spay or neuter for free.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
+ Go to a shelter near you to see if there is an animal with which you “connect.” If not, search online at (http://www.petfinder.com/) or the SPCA for a pet available for adoption.
+ Speak with an adoption counselor at the shelter about whether your choice of a particular type or breed will be best for you.
+ Only select a pet if you have a realistic understanding of the time, effort, and money required to provide a healthy, loving environment for your pet.
+ If you decide that adopting a pet isn’t feasible, you can always choose to volunteer at an animal shelter.
YOU MATTER
Animals are unconcerned about age, looks, or physical ability; they accept you just as you are. If you’re thinking about getting a pet, seriously consider adopting. Not only will you be saving your new pet’s life, but you’ll also be rewarded with years of companionship, entertainment, unconditional love, and increased opportunities to meet others. If you're not able to adopt a pet, then volunteer to help connect pets with their future pet parents!
What is the Every Monday Matters program?
Monday used to be the least favorite day of the week, but that is changing. EMM is based on the idea that every Monday people can make a difference in their life and the lives of those around them. No matter how big or small the actions, they matter. And not only do people have the power to make change, they have a social responsibility to do so. Not out of guilt, but out of an appreciation for every living thing in the world. Together, each person can make a difference in the world and raise the collective consciousness, thereby creating a legacy worth participating in…one Monday at a time.
For more information about the EMM movement visit: http://www.everymondaymatters.com/
Very important post! Thanks
ReplyDeleteStaggering statistics, thank you for sharing. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThat is such sad statistics. Wish we could get a lot more dogs...
ReplyDeleteSo do we, Debbie! Heartbreaking!
ReplyDeleteWe got our dog from a shelter about 3 years ago. Our son wanted a dog so that he could name it "Bat Dog" (since he was a huge fan of Batman at the time). It's nice of you to encourage others to get their pets from animal shelters, too. I appreciate your every-monday-matters series.
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