NATIONAL DOG DAY- Awareness of Homeless Animals

Annually celebrated on August 26, it is National Dog Day.  This day encourages dog ownership of all breeds, mixed and pure, and embraces the opportunity for all dogs to live a happy, safe and “abuse-free life”.  This day is intended to honor dogs for all that they do for us. In addition to giving love and companionship, dogs help us out in countless ways. They are watchdogs for our safety. They lead the blind. Dogs aid in search and rescue, and they seek out bombs and drugs.

It is a goal, for many on National Dog Day, to find homes for all dogs in need of a loving family.  The goal of the National Dog Day foundation is to rescue 10,000 dogs each year.

Many pet owners consider their pets to be an important part of their family, and therefore, treat them the same as they would any other family member―spoil them on their birthdays with special treats and toys, take them on fun family vacations to the beach or up north camping, even sharing their darkest and deepest secrets with their furry friends. However, not all pets receive this kind of loving royal treatment. In fact, most do not. In the United States, there are more animals living on the streets and in homeless shelters than there is living safely in homes. With between 2,000-3,500 cats and dogs born each hour in the United States alone, compared to only 415 humans who are born each hour, it is easy to understand why the number of homeless animals is so unbelievably high.

What Happens to Homeless Animals in the United States?

In each city, in every state, there are hundreds of homeless animals that are in search of a good home. Here are just a few statistics about where these animals typically end up:

  • In the United States alone, there are an estimated six to eight million homeless animals that enter shelters each year. However, only about half of these animals are adopted.
  • Most animals that enter shelters are not “street” animals or offspring of other homeless animals, but puppies and kittens of family pets.
  • The reason in which animals end up in animal shelters is evenly divided between animals who are given up by owners and those that are picked up by animal control.

What Can You Do To Help Homeless Animals?

There are certain factors that cannot be changed about the amount of homeless animals that we have in the United States, such as the fact that both cats and dogs have high reproduction rates which plays a large role in their number of births. However, there are certain steps that you can take as an animal enthusiast to limit the problem:

  • Spay/Neuter your pets: One of the most important things you can do as a pet owner to limit the amount of homeless animals is to spay or neuter your own pet. This will ensure that they cannot bring any more animals into the world that need to be taken care of.
  • Adopt from a shelter or rescue group: By choosing a pet from a shelter, you are not only saving an animal from a possibly horrible fate, but you are also reducing the amount of homeless pets in the world.
  • Donate or volunteer: If you are not ready to adopt or own a pet, simply donating your time or money to an animal shelter or rescue group can significantly help with the amount of homeless pets in the United States.

Shadow

Featured dog-Shadow

Shadow is a 1 1/2 year old Border Collie / Heeler mix, he’s a very sweet boy with lots of energy. Shadow knows sit and shake and will make an amazing companion. He is very intelligent and willing to learn. He needs a high securely fenced yard, and he can be destructive if he’s bored and alone. A kind, loving, ACTIVE family would be the ideal fit. He is not an apartment dog.

Other available dogs

Layla-golden retriever blend. She does not care for other dogs so would need to be the only dog in home . She needs  plenty of exercise but she is not a dog to go to the dog park.

Peanut- Senior border collie/beagle blend. He is very protective of his people. He will do better in a quiet home with no children or other animals. He is happy to stay by your side and watch TV.

Izzy

Featured cat – Izzy has been in the shelter for over 173 days. Izzy is the sweetest cat ever! She’s shy but is getting a little braver every day and responds best to quiet approaches and a gentle touch. She is coming up to people for attention and is spending more time out of her cage socializing with the other cats and volunteers. She is very happy and she will roll over so her belly can be rubbed. She would be a purrfect companion to someone in a quiet home.

Other available cats

Meg – Calico Friendly. Plays with toys. Very laid back. Loves being brushed. Talkative.

Paris -She likes being where she can watch everyone and what is going on around her. Not a lap cat. Special diet

Rose-Seal point Siamese. She is friendly and loves attention. Likes to be brushed and held.

Kelly- Long hair kitten. She is very shy and will hide. She likes to be held and petted  but need a quiet home where she will feel secure.

Dewey- orange tabby kitten. Very outgoing and loves to play and cuddle. Very outgoing. He is best friends with Chandler

Chandler- black kitten with small white mark on chest. He is shy but easily handled. He and Dewey are best friends and play together. He likes being held.

 

The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 8:00 am until 4 pm Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), Saturday 11am-1pm , Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call – Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268

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

The animals submitted to the media may have changed 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