National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

Approximately 3,500 animal shelters across the United States serve the estimated 6-8 million homeless animals who need refuge each year, and many more animals find themselves in need of the services provided by local rescue groups. For one week out of that year community members, animal lovers and grateful pet guardians come together to celebrate their local shelter. National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, first week in November, is the perfect time to recognize the organization in your community dedicated to animals.

Here are ways to show shelters you care this week and throughout the year.

  1. Adopt a Best Friend. Animals make great companions, but having a pet is a big responsibility and it involves a lifelong commitment. Find out if you have what it takes to provide a safe and loving home and learn more about adopting from your local animal shelter. When you’re ready to adopt go to https://www.petfinder.com. to find pets in your area.
  2. Take a Tour. Never been inside an animal shelter? Take time out of your day to stop by your local shelter during public hours and see firsthand how things work. If you’d like to become more involved, find out how you can become a volunteer.
  3. Keep on Giving. Many animal shelters have donations programs. Donating to your local shelter is as simple as writing a check and dropping it in the mail or picking up an item on the shelter’s wish list during your next shopping trip. Friends of Mesquite Animal Shelter (FOMAS) helps pay for items not covered by the Mesquite Animal Shelter operational budget: extraordinary medical procedures, veterinary costs for animals transported to outside rescue groups, lifestyle and facility upgrades for shelter animals
  4. Be Committed. Providing quality food, water and shelter is important, but it’s not the only thing involved in being a responsible and caring pet guardian. It’s also essential that your pet has current identification tags and is properly confined or supervised while outdoors. Keep your pet healthy and up-to-date on all vaccinations by visiting the veterinarian regularly and give your pet lots of love and attention.
  5. Expect the Unexpected. Local shelters are most often on the front lines during natural disasters such as hurricanes. Would you know what to do in the event of a flood, tornado or fire? Learn how to help animals in your community, including your own pet, whether it’s a disaster, an emergency or an accident.
  6. Stay Alert. Your local animal shelter and animal control agency not only take in homeless animals, but also rescue injured, abused or neglected critters. Assist them by letting them know of any injured animals in your neighborhood, or if you suspect animal cruelty in your community.
  7. Do Your Part. Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important things you can to reduce the number of homeless pets in your community.
  8. Two Simple Words. The words “thank you” are powerful. But since animals can’t speak, it’s up to community members to let shelter workers and volunteers know just how much their commitment to animals is appreciated. Send a letter, card or e-mail to your local shelter and let them know you care.
  9. Animal shelters and rescues are great places to find your next pet, but local shelters and rescues also do so much more,” says Inga Fricke, director of sheltering and pet care issues for The HSUS. “Not only do they give homeless pets a second chance, these organizations provide other services such as, reuniting lost pets with their families.”
  10. Many dogs and cats are given up because of allergies or a family not being able to bring the pet when they move – factors that are completely out of the pet’s control. These animals could all make great pets if given a second chance at a home.

The most obvious way to support local animal shelters is by adopting a pet from them.

Karley

Karley

Featured Dog- Karley is a female 6 year old German shepherd. Her owner could not keep her. She has lived outside so is not currently house- trained. She knows sit, down, paw, stay and wait. She is doing great on a leash. She likes to be around people. Karley lived with another dog.

Other available dogs: None available for adoption at this time

Freckles

Freckles

Featured cat- Freckles is a 6 month old female dilute calico/tortoiseshell. Her owner could no longer keep her due to allergies. She is a little shy with her new living arrangements at the shelter. She likes attention and is easily picked up and handled. She loves playing with toys.

Other available cats: Sissy and Sassy came to the shelter after their owner died. Both cats are a bit shy and still confused by the sudden change in their lives.

Sissy is a female black and white tuxedo 2 -3 years old. She loves being scratched under her chin

Sally is a female tortoiseshell 4 years old. She had medium length hair and a fluffy tail.

All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximated.

The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11am until 1 pm, Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268

The animals submitted to the media may have changes so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com

Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information. https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVAnimalControl  and https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSOFMESQUITENVANIMALSHELTER