International Homeless Animal Day

                International Homeless Animal Day was started in 1992. The purpose is to bring attention to the countless homeless animals that run the cities and rural towns. Keeping the public aware of the overpopulation of animals is important so the public will want to help with this problem. So far, it has been pretty effective.  

                All 50 states, The District of Columbia, over 50 countries, and 6 continents celebrate this growing problem. In doing so, millions of dogs, cats, and other homeless animals lives have been saved or made better. Some of the activities done are adopt-a-thons, spay/neuter clinics, microchip clinics, speeches from council members, and help from vets and human officers. The groups like ISAR also partake in rallies, dog walks, open houses, ceremonies, live music, raffles, and games.

 

                ISAR hopes to put an end to the killing of innocent animals just because they cannot find room to fit in someone’s life. Millions of dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, rabbits, birds, and other pets lose their lives every day. The third Saturday of August is when International Homeless Animal Day takes place. This day emphasizes just how important it is to get your pet spayed or neutered. Not only is it bad because it displaces babies, but because it is cruel to the mother and offspring if they cannot be properly taken care of.

                Puppy mills are another big problem Homeless Animal Day wants to bring attention to. Keeping mothers in small cages to give birth to a litter over and over again is what a puppy mill does. Those puppies are then put in small cages themselves until they gotten rid of or die. The living condition of these mills are retched and not suitable for a healthy, happy life. Getting animals out of these places and into loving homes is the number one mission.

                This day is also to bring awareness to animal abuse. Some animals may have a home, but not a good one. Being beaten for little things they do wrong or being starved and dehydrated. The organization provides presentations on how to tell if an animal has been abused, and who to get ahold of to make sure it doesn’t happen again. This may mean eviction and relocation of the animal in a better home.

                Ways you can help out would be to foster animals. Go to your local shelter and ask what animals are on the kill list. Taking these animals to your home for just a little longer until they find their forever homes could potentially save their life. If you are thinking of adopting, don’t go to a pet store. Go to a shelter, get an old cat or dog and make their couple years or months the best you can. Celebrate International Homeless Animal Day, adopt a dog, foster a cat, sign petitions to end puppy mills, relocate a lost pet, and help make the world a better place. This day has saved millions of animals lives and will continue to do so if the awareness stays high.