There’s still a few days left to join the American Humane Association in celebrating Adopt-A-Dog Month this October. The month-long celebration aims to encourage pet lovers looking for a new dog to consider adoption and current dog owners to take a few precautions so their dogs don’t end up in shelters or rescues.
Whether you’re looking for a dog, or love the one you have, here are a few ways you can celebrate Adopt-A-Dog Month:
Adopt locally. Talk with your local shelter’s staff to find the dog that may suit you best.
Spay or neuter your puppy. The best way to combat pet overpopulation is to have your puppy spayed or neutered, thus preventing the possibility of unexpected puppies. Spayed and neutered animals have also been shown to lead longer, healthier lives and tend to avoid certain behavioral problems.
ID your pet. Make sure he has tags on his collar, a microchip, or both. This will reduce the possibility that Bruno will wind up a "homeless" dog at a shelter if he gets lost. Here’s a staggering fact: Only 15 to 20 percent of dogs who enter a shelter are reunited with their owners.
Donate to an animal shelter. Buy a few extra supplies like dog food, leashes, beds, toys, etc. for your local shelter or donate your old supplies. Even the smallest donation can make a difference.
For more information about Adopt-A-Dog Month, visit www.americanhumane.org