| As a fellow animal lover, I'm sure that you know | | | | every minute! |
| of the immense happiness that having a | | | | Two Key Factors That Cause Animal |
| companion animal in your life can bring you and | | | | Homelessness |
| the people around you. | | | | The number one reason that there are so many |
| Both of my fur babies, Chewy and Chiquita, are | | | | orphaned animals in United States is that adoption |
| rescue animals so I know firsthand the joy of | | | | rates are morbidly low. Yet many people don't |
| adopting an orphaned pet can bring. I can't imagine | | | | know that 1 in 4 shelter dogs awaiting adoption |
| my life without them - they are the ones that | | | | are actually purebred. |
| cheer me up when I've had a bad day and make | | | | Another big factor is that there are still many |
| me laugh when I most need it. | | | | animals out there that are not being spayed or |
| My pets help me see the fun in life even if what | | | | neutered. Did you know that from all of the |
| I'm doing isn't particularly exciting... like when I take | | | | animals that our shelters rescue each year, only |
| my dog for a walk around the neighborhood. | | | | 10% of them are actually spayed or neutered? |
| As we go for our walk, Chewy forces me to | | | | It's no wonder that our animal shelter population is |
| stop constantly...he likes to examine every other | | | | still so high. |
| bush and tree and make sure to add his mark | | | | Bringing Awareness to Animal Adoption |
| even after he's run dry! | | | | Luckily there are many organizations that help |
| Sometimes I may want him to hurry up so I can | | | | bring awareness to the public about the |
| get back to the house to work on another chore | | | | importance of animal adoption and spaying |
| or project, but the fact that he makes me wait | | | | neutering your pet. |
| for him allows me time to finally relax and like | | | | Since 2008, every third Saturday in August is |
| him, enjoy and examine my surroundings. He's | | | | known as the International Homeless Animals Day. |
| taught me to notice the beauty of nature around | | | | Groups around the world get together every |
| me so that now I occasionally bring my camera | | | | year to hold candlelight vigils, adopt-a-thons for |
| with me to take pictures of the interesting things | | | | shelter rescues, and microchip clinics. |
| we see on our walks that I would otherwise | | | | If you and your animal loving family and friends |
| ignore. | | | | are interested in participating, check out the |
| The Facts About Homeless Animals in the US | | | | International Society for Animal Right's website at |
| The Humane Society of the United States | | | | where they've listed all of the scheduled events |
| estimates that animal shelters around the country | | | | around the country as well as some internationally. |
| admit between 6 to 8 million dogs and cats | | | | And if you do decide to attend, make sure to |
| annually with approximately half of those having | | | | take your pets along if you can. Not only will they |
| the ill fate of being euthanized. Though the | | | | have lots of fun meeting other animals at the |
| number of pets euthanized in this country has | | | | event, but by showing those around you the bond |
| been greatly reduced compared to numbers in | | | | that you and your pet share, you both will surely |
| previous years, 4 million animals euthanized a year | | | | help raise more awareness to the value of |
| amounts to about eight animals being put to sleep | | | | becoming a pet parent! |