National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is celebrated on October 1st every year. This day serves as a reminder to people that there are animals in shelters that need a family, care, and affection. Who but us can help?

History

The trend to celebrate the holiday is believed to have originated in Philadelphia in 1869. A small group of activists created the “Women’s Humane Society”, which promoted the humane treatment of carriage horses. Unfortunatley, animals were often seen as a labor force and treated with particular cruelty.

Later, the society shifted its focus to small animals and created the first shelter, which provided lost and abandoned dogs with a new home. Many of them were returned to their previous owners. In 1909, a dispensary was opened to treat the four-legged friends. This noble work continues to this day, with over 5,000 shelters in the US alone providing animals with hope for a brighter future.

Interesting facts

• According to statistics, more than half of the animals in shelters are adopted into families. Despite this, the number of abandoned animals is still increasing.
• Most of the animals are not brought to shelters – they are found by volunteers.
• You can go to many establishments to interact with animals, take them on walks, and treat them with treats.
• The most common misconception is that all the animals in shelters are unbalanced and troubled.
• 90% of volunteers are women.

How to take part

If you feel you can provide a loving home to an animal, visit a shelter and bring your new friend home. They are special and will show their gratitude with endless loyalty to the owner. It is better to adopt an adult dog as puppies are adopted more often. If you can’t take a pet home, visit the shelter more often, help the volunteers, look for owners, and spread the word on social media to ensure that every furry friend finds a home!

When is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month in 2023?

National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is observed on October 1 each year.

Observations