Visit a Shelter
Celebrate National Shelter Appreciation Week
In 1996, the Humane Society of the United States launched National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. The campaign was created to shine a light on the priceless role shelters play in our communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services. Most people probably don’t realize how many homeless animals are being cared for each day at animal shelters across the nation. The shelter I managed in Detroit, Michigan, took in close to 100 animals per day. To help the efforts that shelters go through every day, 365 days a year, the best thing you can do is make sure that you are part of the solution and not part of the problem. Here’s how to become part of the solution:
Spay or neuter your pet.
If you are a pet owner, spay or neuter your pet before it reaches the age of sexual maturity. The chances of your pet developing mammary or testicular cancer decrease if you spay or neuter before sexual maturity. An added benefit to you as the pet owner is that certain undesirable behaviors may be altered with spaying or neutering. For example, animals tend to roam less and fewer will mark their territory once they are spayed or neutered. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your female dog or cat going into heat.
