Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has created a section on their site dedicated to raising awareness of the need and benefit of adopting a shelter dog.
“Celebrating October as Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month is a great way to highlight the unlimited potential shelter dogs have to be unequaled pets,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “And getting involved in the ASPCA’s online community is a great way to demonstrate the joys of being a pet parent.”
The ASPCA is having a photo contest for dog owners to send in pictures of their dogs. The judge for the contest will be Traer Scott, the author of Shelter Dogs and Street Dogs.
The winners of this contest will receive an ASPCA prize pack.
According to the ASPCA, some of the reasons to consider pet adoption your first option are:
- Most animal shelters offer adoption programs and are staffed with trained counselors who are experienced in matching families or individuals with suitable animal companions. Potential adopters explain their lifestyle preferences and expectations for a pet, and the shelter staff introduces them to pets who match their needs, increasing the chance of a successful adoption.
- Most animal shelters screen incoming pets for major health and behavior issues.
- Many shelters offer free services such as training materials, vaccinations, medical check ups, spay or neuter surgery and even microchips.
- Dogs can often be found in a wide range of ages so adopters don’t have to go home with one who is too young to be house trained, or who is still in the mouthing, teething, or destructive stages, making the shelter dogs more desirable as companions.
- Many shelters house both pure and mixed breeds.
If you are considering pet adoption, the ASPCA offers a searchable index that allows you to find a shelter near you. Be a hero. Save a life!