Due to the poor shelter living conditions that stray animals are dealing with and people’s lack of adoption or rescue efforts, our furry friends, primarily dogs and cats, are suffering.
In my family, the second we hear Sarah McLachlan start singing her song, “Angel”, while we’re watching TV, it’s a race to find the remote and change channels before we’re bombarded with pictures of abused cats and dogs.
Even though both of our dogs are rescues, it’s still so hard for us to watch the TV as a skinny dog is pictured shivering in the corner of a dirty cage and a kitten is meowing for its mom.
But even though it’s hard to watch, these commercials successfully raise awareness for the animals in need of a home.
According to Shelter Animals Count, “around 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters each year.”
Cats and dogs make up that population. Besides that 50% or so shelters in the U.S. are “non-kill”, almost 400,000 dogs that “enter shelters are euthanized annually.”
Animals that are sent to the pound need our help and those heart-wrenching advertisements on TV are meant to spread the word.
To put things into perspective, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) believes the most common reason why many pets end up in shelters is due to “problematic behaviors, aggressive behaviors, grew larger than expected, or health problems owner couldn’t handle.”
This isn’t saying that there are good reasons behind sending your pet to the pound, but more so trying to show both sides.
This also isn’t trying to assume that every animal shelter is bad and mistreats their animals because not all animal shelters are like that.
Take the ASPCA, for instance. In their “Somewhere in America” commercial, it’s stated that “at the ASPCA, [they’re] committed to searching every dark corner to find [pets in need] and help heal the deep physical and emotional wounds that have been inflicted on them.”
Some shelters, like the ASPCA, are rescue shelters that thrive on saving and taking care of the dogs and cats they find. And as a country, we need to support these shelters by donating and adopting them so that the animals can get proper care.
One local organization that could use your help is PAWsibilities Animal Rescue.
Located in Skippack, the rescue center’s goal, as per their website, “is to save and improve the lives of domestic animals.”
They strive to “educate the public” on matters of overpopulation and the benefits of adopting instead of buying.
As Shelter Animals Count believes, already people are helping and getting involved with animal shelters as “adoptions increased by 5.8%” in January-September in 2023, compared to that time in 2021.
There has been an annual decline in euthanization, as well.
The ASPCA finds that the “decline can be partially explained by an increase in the percentage of animals adopted and an increase in the number of stray animals successfully returned to their owners.”
It’s important to remember that for a lot of people, especially those at PAWsibilities Animal Rescue, pets are more than just pets; they’re family.
“We want what is best for them, which means searching hard to find them forever homes,” PAWsibilities Animal Rescue said.
The benefits of adopting, besides finding a life-long companion, are numerous.
As per Best Friends Save Them All, the top reasons to adopt include saving money, “fight[ing] overpopulation” and not supporting puppy mills.
“You can work with the adoption team to find a pet who fits well with your lifestyle,” Best Friends Save Them All said. “The team will also be there to help with questions or issues.”
Another local pet shelter, Dog Tow Rescue, was started by volunteers who wanted to do more to help the homeless dog population in the Philadelphia area.
“Our dogs come from local shelters where they are often at high risk of euthanasia,” dogtownrescue.org said. “When you adopt from us you truly are saving a life, in addition to enriching your own.”
Dog Town Rescue takes donations and volunteers to help support their mission.
One of the largest adoption and rescue centers in the area is Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).
“We are working to make Philadelphia a place where every healthy and treatable pet is guaranteed a home,” the PAWS website said.
They achieve this mission through “rescue, foster care, adoption” and by “preventing homelessness in the first place by offering low-cost spay/neuter and basic vet care.”
The Providence Animal Center, another local animal shelter. Located in Media, Pennsylvania, their motto is “Lifesaving. Adoption. Wellness. Community.”
“At Providence Animal Center we offer exceptional, affordable and life-affirming rescue, adoption, medical care and training of companion animals and serve as a community resource,” Providence Animal Center website said.
As a 501(c)(3) “private non-profit, charitable organization” their work is supported by private donations.
Other online resources that promote pet adoption include Helping Hands Humane Society Inc. and blog.cuddly.com.