5 Ways To Help Shelter Dogs On National Puppy Day

What’s not to love about puppies?!

They love us unconditionally, entertain us with their crazy antics, have the most adorable faces, and their puppy breath is intoxicating.

Every year, March 23rd is dedicated to celebrating puppies – with an emphasis on adoption and ending puppy mills.

National Puppy Day was established in 2006 by Colleen Paige who wanted to raise awareness for shelter puppies while also shedding light on the harsh conditions of puppy mills.

Photo: Pixabay

3.3 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters every year and less than half (1.6 million) find forever homes.

“Puppy mills are inhumane commercial dog breeding facilities that may sell puppies in pet stores, online or directly to the public (in flea markets or via classified ads),” states The Humane Society of the United States. There are 10,000 puppy mills in the U.S. who focus only on the money and not the dogs’ health.

Photo: Pixabay

National Puppy Day is a good excuse to spoil your pup with a new toy, homemade dog treats, or a spa day. But it is also a day to raise awareness for all the puppies waiting for homes in shelters.

Here are 5 ways to help shelter dogs on National Puppy Day:

Field Trip

Shelter life is stressful and a day away is just what shelter dogs need. Reach out to your local shelter and see if you can make the day of a shelter dog by taking them to the park, beach, or for a tasty treat.

Photo: Pixabay

Spa Day

First impressions are everything. Shelter dogs often arrive matted, dirty and in desperate need of a bath. If you are a groomer, photographer, or dog trainer consider using your talents to help homeless dogs find forever homes.

Photo: Pixabay

Otherwise, you can donate a grooming kit to a shelter to help rescue dogs look their best.

Volunteer/ Foster

Shelters are always looking for volunteers to help with walking dogs, cleaning kennels, working at adoption events, and so much more.

Foster families save lives. They take in newborn puppies who need to be bottle fed, care for special needs pups, and shower the dogs with love. Fostering is a great way to help shelter puppies and dogs.

Contact your local shelter to see how you can help!

Photo: Pixabay

Donate

Shelters do their best to provide food, shelter, and care to each animal that comes through their doors, but they cannot do it alone. You can help resupply animal shelters with basic essentials, click daily to help feed shelter pets, sponsor an animal, or purchase items off their wishlist.

Photo: Pixabay

Adopt

Dogs make our lives whole, it is a fact. They make us smile every day no matter how rough it was and are the best listeners. They teach us to be patient, how to live in the moment, and to appreciate the small things in life. If you are ready to add a puppy or dog to your family, please adopt don’t shop.

Photo: Pixabay

It will be the best decision you ever made.

Be sure to share photos of your adorable rescue pup on social media and in the comments.

Check out the adorable puppy video below – because National Puppy Day wouldn’t be complete without it.