April 30th is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day which was created as a way to raise awareness for thousands of pets that are waiting for and needing adoption from shelters.

Did you know that approximately 6.5 million companion animals are taken into U.S. animal shelters every year? Of the 6.5 million, 3.3 million are dogs, and 3.2 million are cats. Unfortunately, each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats) since they are not adopted.

Animal shelters

 Animal shelters around the country are open all year round and require personnel to assist. Adoption is a part of the service that animal shelters offer. Animals brought in daily, and the shelters work quickly to take care of their health and wellbeing. Then, they start marketing to have these animals adopted.

The shelters pay vets to care for the sick animals and spay or neuter them to help reduce the number of stray pets in the population.

How can you help?

  • On April 30th visit a shelter near you and find your new fur baby.
  • Any day of the year visit a shelter and consider adoption.
  • Volunteer at a shelter.
  • Donate funds to assist a shelter with the needs of dogs or cats.
  • Check the shelter’s donation needs list and donate the items regularly.
  • Exercise the animals
  • Provide companionship for the animals
  • Help socialize with the animals.
  • Use the hashtag #AdoptAShelterPetDay on your social media.
  • Promote a local shelter near you to your family and friends and on social media.

Volunteering

There are many ways you can volunteer at your local animal rescue community or pet shelter. If you can’t adopt a pet, you can help with the shelter animals:

  • Fostering a shelter/rescue animal
  • Transporting animals
  • Volunteer at your local shelter
  • Donate items to your local shelter
  • Buy things on shelter’s wishlist
  • Take photos of adoptable pets to post on social media
  • Promote and network for shelters on social media
  • Raise money for homeless animals at the shelter
  • Sew items needed at the shelter
  • Help clean the shelter
  • Accountants are always a big help for non-profits
  • Be a handyman or woman at the shelter

Donations

Money is always appreciated and can be used, but there are so many other items that are needed. Some of the most common items at your local shelter include:

  • Towels
  • Chains
  • Leashes
  • Toys
  • Brushes
  • Beds
  • Food & dishes
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Newspapers
  • Kitty litter

If you want to help your local pet shelter, go online to their website and look at their needs list posted online?

The best way to help yourself feel great is to help others. Here is a perfect opportunity to be a hero to animals and to lend a helping hand to the local animal shelter. Adopt a pet and or volunteer at a shelter.

MainStreet Veterinarians practices both conventional as well as alternative animal healthcare from our friendly office in Stone Mountain, GA. Offering mainly conventional veterinary medicine and surgery to also offering a wide array of alternative and holistic treatments to the veterinary community as well. Call us today to make an appointment with your beloved pet at 770-498-4620 or send us an email.