TGIF! The weekend has arrived and today, Thursday we celebrated Shelter Pets Day. As the mom of a rescued dog, and only having rescued all my life, a Mutt lover, today is a very important day for so many reasons. It is a day dedicated to pets that were originally from the shelter and pets that are still in the shelter.
Millions of cats, dogs, and other animals enter shelters annually, through no fault of their own. Because they were abandoned, surrendered, or lost, these pets deserve a second chance at life in a loving home. Celebrating Shelter Pets Day shines a spotlight on the remarkable companionship and unconditional love these animals can bring us.
Adopting a shelter pet transforms the life of an animal but also changes the lives of the adopters, enriching our lives and making us better people, helping some combat loneliness, health issues and so much more.
My first rescued dog was when I was a child, his name was Caesar, a big goofy mutt who we had to rehome when we left South Africa. Then we found Whiskey on the streets in Israel, this was the days before microchips, and she came to live with us and when we went back to South Africa she came with us and lived a good life till the age of 14.
I then went back to Israel and rescued 3 cats, Sasha, Shula and Pichevkes, they all lived long good lives with me each passing a year in between. My late father used to call me the Crazy Cat Lady and that was the days before internet.
Since in the States I rescued Baby, who ran with me from the Domestic Violence Relationship and when we were free and living in our own home, she unfortunately got IMHA and passed away within 48 hours. I waited 3 months in January 2011 I rescued Layla and the rest is history. Layla taught me so much that opened my eyes to the problem of shelters being overcrowded with Shelter Pets, which breaks my heart. When Layla passed away in May without even hesitation I in July rescued Nili who is settling beautifully and my new fur kid.
My beautiful Baby
Layla in the shelter
Nili in her cage in the shelter
Why celebrate today, we must celebrate the lucky pets that have found homes, the shelters and rescues that give the pets a second chance at love, they deserve awards for the amazing and tireless work they do
How can we celebrate daily:
- Adopt a Pet
- Supporting a Shelter
- Share a story
- Foster a Pet
- Advocate for adoption
Now you all know why I am against Breeders and Puppy Mills, there are so many beautiful pets in shelters waiting for homes, and we must speak out for them as they do not have a voice.
Have a wonderful weekend and please be safe
Nili and her mom
As someone who only adopts, I’m so glad you’ve written about such an important and heart breaking issue. Millions of cats and dogs are killed every year in shelters, while too many people spend thousands buying one. I’m shocked by that picture of Nili in a cage. Is that how they’re kept 24/7? Not even a run? This message cannot be shared enough because you never know who may see it and decide to give a shelter animal a loving home.
Hindy you and I are on the same page when it comes to this subject as it is sickening the amount of pets that are killed because of selfish people. As for Nili in the cage I am not sure if they kept that way 24/7 but she was filthy when I picked her up, it is heartbreaking but am blessed she is safe and happy today. If everyone rescued a shelter pet the shelters would be empty and the pets would be happy
I’m not against breeders. I think it’s important for someone to work towards chihuahuas without heart defects, knee defects, genetic dental problems, etc.
I am 100% against puppy mills. They don’t care about heart problems, knee problems, dental problems or the behavior problems caused by their awful methods. Together, they pump out more puppies per year than all the animals in the shelter system combined.
If we kept small breeders but banned puppy mills, I don’t think there would even be any unwanted pets because it would cut the overpopulation problem by so much. It’s crazy.
Andrea there are so many dogs including chihuahuas looking for homes because of backyard breeders, puppy mills, etc I would love to see them all banished till the shelters are empty and yes I agree with you a lot of the chis that come from these places are sick and dumped because of it and it is harder to find homes for them. That is why I always say adopt don’t shop.
Shelter pets are so wonderful and always so deserving and we always support our shelter. Thanks for joining Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Terry I so agree with you and I will only rescue as they all need homes with love and a warm bed. Thank you so much for your Thankful Thursday Blog Hop as always
I don’t know where our Boston Bull Dog came from when I was little. Rose was given to me by my ex bf, from a so called breeder. She became my parents dog when I had to go away for school. They refused to give her back. Evie, was from a so called ckc back yard breeder. She was in the paper fir sale. Already been thru 2 home at 6 wks old. Tressa and Harley came from show breeders. I had thought abt showing. I believe it is your option to either rescue, adopt, or buy as long as it is from a reputable breeder, no puppy mills or back yard breeders. I now feed a feral cat that wonders in my yard. A place fixed up in the garage. I know he? must belong to someone in the neighborhood, but i can’t get close to him. There are so many rescue sites for all animals. It is disgusting that people consider them throw aways. I think it is wonderful that so many rescue animals.
Sandy you were blessed to have wonderful dogs in your life but their are so many pure breeds in shelters and rescues I will not pay anyone for a pure bred dog, I only rescue to save a life as shelter dogs deserve homes
Amazing. What you went through…with Baby. Thank you for always advocating for rescue dogs. Miss Layla and baby would be so proud, and Miss Nili, too. I can’t imagine what you went through, but I commend you for always being such an amazing advocate for not only DV survivors, but also shelter pets. Bravo to you and all your amazing furbabies, past and present. xo
Dorothy thank you so much for your kind words, we have to keep speaking out for all those that are in shelters or DV situations as the more they hear the more likely they will be saved/rescued. I was very blessed to have learned from Baby, Layla and now Nili how important it is to save a life
You are the best advocate for shelter pets and a model dog mom. Nili, and before her Layla and Baby were lucky to have such a strong rescue advocate. If we had more moms like you and fewer people wanting free kitten and puppies that they don’t Spay/Neuter the world would be a more pet friendly place where every animal is loved.
Marjorie thank you for your kind words, I always say we need to speak up for the voiceless so that they can be heard and saved, it is time they close down back yard breeders plus puppy mills and find homes for all those stuck in shelters, the world would be a better place then, plus MUTTS rock
Terrific post about the importance of adopting and not shopping. As you know, I’m a big advocate for adoption. There are so many wonderful pets waiting for their forever home in a shelter or foster home, I don’t understand why anyone would shop. You have been a true advocate for adopting. Your fur kids are a great legacy for your work now. Baby, Layla, and Nili are great examples of the wonderful pets waiting for a furever home. Henry is as well. Excellent post!
Terri like you we have to keep speaking out so that dogs like Henry or Nili can find homes, thank you for speaking out also, the more its out there the more likely people will listen and adopt.
Such an important message! There are so many dogs to choose from that need homes in shelters. Puppies, fully trained adults, pure breeds, mutts, etc. We foster and I used to volunteer my dog training services when I lived in VA. Shelter dogs need all the help they can get
Tiffany so so true and that is why we must not be quiet but speak out for them so that they can find homes and nots shop but adopt. Thank you for volunteering your services as they are needed to make the pets more adoptable.