To commemorate National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day, observed each year on April 30th, WAN talked to numerous leading animal advocates, animal welfare organizations and politicians who work tirelessly to promote the adoption of homeless animals, every day!
Here are our Top 10 Reasons To Adopt A Shelter Pet!
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By adopting a shelter pet, you are changing lives for the better, including your own!
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Shelter pets have so much unconditional love and companionship to share with their forever human!
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Adopting a shelter pet guarantees they will have a soft place to lay instead of on the often-bare cold cement shelter floors!
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It is estimated that 25%-50% of shelter dogs are purebreds!
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Pets, especially those that are rescued, help people live a happier healthier life; Depending on the animal, they make awesome walking, running and hiking partners!
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Regardless of their breed, age or sex, we all agree that rescued pets are the best. This includes senior pets, as well as special-needs animals.
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Shelter pets are required by law to be spayed and neutered before they can move to their forever homes: which is essential in decreasing the pet overpopulation in our overflowing shelters!
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By adopting shelter pets, we are taking important steps to end the inhumane and deplorable breeding practices of puppy mills!
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We need to be a part of the solution, not the problem!
Below is a more in-depth review from WAN’s survey about some of the many feelings, facts and figures that make adopting a shelter pet so important and beneficial!
Personally, every morning as I lay uncomfortably cramped somewhere between the wall and a fraction of my bed, so as not to disturb the animals, my heart fills with love, serenity and happiness as I watch my rescued babies sleep safely in peace. They fill my heart and my life!
Regardless of the uncertain circumstances they came from, these innocent beings have so much unconditional love and companionship to share with their forever human; and I am blessed to be theirs! Not a day passes that I am not appreciative and aware that not only did I rescue my dogs, but that they rescued me!
WAN’s Lauren Lewis with Princess “Miracle Dog” Lewis
On that note, Nicole Goodfellow from All About the Animals explained that “Many public shelters are underfunded and overcrowded and the animals are often without beds and blankets. Adopting a shelter pet guarantees they will have a soft place to lay instead of on the often-bare cement shelter floors.”
All About The Animals Nicole Goodfellow with Sienna
All About the Animals recently teamed up with Eastwood Ranch Foundation, Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation and Davey’s Voice for a Buy A Dog A Bed fundraising campaign, to ensure that every single homeless dog in the care of the LA County animal shelters has the comfort of a bed and blanket.
Eastwood Ranch Foundation’s Alison Eastwood
Laura Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of All About The Animals, added that “By adopting a shelter dog you are saving two lives; not only the dog you adopt, but also you are creating a space within a kennel for another dog to be given time to find a home.”
All About The Animals Laura Jones with Chucky
Want a purebred?
No problem assured Gretchen Lieff Founder of Santa Barbara-based Davey’s Voice.
“It is estimated that 25%-50% of shelter dogs are purebred,” according to Lieff. “You will be surprised to find many beautiful purebred dogs in shelters, including puppies.”
Davey’s Voice Gretchen Lieff
“Besides being the right thing to do, there are endless reasons why adopting a pet from a shelter is the best way to save a life in need,” says Katie Cleary, Founder and President of World Animal News (WAN) & the non-profit Peace 4 Animals, as well as the creator and producer of the award-winning documentary, that debuted on Netflix in 2015, Give Me Shelter. “Having many rescues of my own, who have saved me with their unconditional love and companionship, I can attest countless ways these sweet souls enhance the lives of their adopters and bring so much joy and love into your home.
WAN / Peace 4 Animal, President & Founder, Katie Cleary
Regardless of their breed, age or sex, we all agree that rescued pets are the best. This includes senior pets, as well as special-needs animals.
Animal activist Simone Reyes adopted a dog that was a blind pure bred Japanese Chin she named Hubbell Yoda.
In 2013, Reyes explained in an article that, sadly, special needs animals are often considered “less adoptable” and are the first to be euthanized in shelters making them. “in dire need of forever homes.”
Animal Activist Simone Reyes with Hubbell Yoda
“It is incredibly rewarding to save the life of an senior animal,” said Annette Osterlund, Founder of Paradise Valley Farm, where she rescues senior Dalmatians, as well as horses and farm animals. “It’s beautiful to watch animals, that may otherwise have been overlooked, live the remainder of their lives free and loved.”
Annette Osterlund with three of her rescued senior Dalmatians
“There’s something different about the eyes of a shelter pet,” said Valarie Iannello Executive Director of Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation (AHWF). “You can see their whole lives reflecting back at you. Begging you to save them.”
AHWF’s Valarie Ianniello
“Shelter pets are also required by law to be spayed and neutered before they can move to their forever homes: which is essential in decreasing the pet overpopulation in our overflowing shelters,” said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of California animal advocacy group, Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL)
SCIL’s Judie Mancuso with Candy and Dinky
SCIL is sponsoring AB 485, The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, authored by Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell and co-authored by Assembly Member Matt Dababneh. This vanguard bill, scheduled to be next voted on in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, will require all dogs, cats and rabbits offered for retail sale in pet stores to be obtained by public or private animal shelters located in California and non-profit rescue groups. This life-saving bill is modeled after over 30 local ordinances in the state, and over 200 nationwide.
“My office has heard from hundreds of voices across the state calling for this responsible approach to pet ownership,” said Assembly Member O’Donnell. “By promoting access to rescue animals in local pet stores, AB 485 will help thousands of adoptable animals find their forever home.”
Assembly Member Dababneh added that this bill is “an important step in ending the inhumane and deplorable breeding practices of puppy mills, and fostering increased adoption opportunities for pets at local shelters.”
Assembly Members Patrick O’Donnell and Matt Dababneh with SCIL members and supporters with adoptable dogs in Sacramento
“L.A.’s 2012 ordinance to prohibit pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits that do not come from shelters or rescues has struck a blow against the puppy mill industry,” Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz concurred. “We believe it is also increasing pet adoptions at our local shelters, which means pet shops are becoming a part of the solution, not the problem, in combating pet overpopulation.”
Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz with his cats
In closing, WAN would like to reference The Dog’s Life 2015 post that featured words of wisdom from Jane Velez-Mitchell, a nationally known TV journalist, best-selling author and Founder of JaneUnchained.
“If you love dogs, you should love pigs, and you should love cows and chickens.” “I think it is connected to dogs. We love dogs. Dogs are the gateway drug to animal rights.”
