Consider a new pet during Adopt a Shelter Dog month

By Carol Pezzula

Whether you’re adopting your first dog or bringing home a second dog to add to your family please consider adopting a pet today.

There are many adorable, adoptable animals waiting to meet you right now at your local shelter. If you are ready to open your heart and home to an animal in need, you should do your research and visit your local shelter or rescue group instead of the local pet store.

Each year an estimated 3-4 million dogs are waiting in shelters hoping to find their forever homes, it’s important to raise awareness of the situation and encourage people to adopt. October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to help homeless animals in shelters find loving, happy homes.

If you aren’t able to adopt, there are some easy ways you can still help:

Use social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to let people know that October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. You can also share adoptable animals and information on adoption events on your account. Maybe someone you know will adopt their future family member because of you.

Donations are always needed and appreciated. Make a monetary donation to your local shelter to help with the care of the animals. You can also check with the shelter and donate something from their wish list and share their wish list on social media so others can have the opportunity to help too. Do a fund-raiser to help raise money.

Volunteers are always needed. Check with your local shelter to see what you can do to help out by cleaning, walking dogs, socializing cats, helping out with adoption events or something else. If the shelter has a foster program they may need foster homes.

Even though October may be Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and it’s a great time to make people aware of how many wonderful dogs are waiting in shelters to find their furever homes. Though you can adopt one the many loving dogs any time of the year. So if you are looking to adopt a dog…or cat there are some adorable dogs and cats waiting at the Humane Society of Rome to meet you.