Fetch the Sun’s Mission: Get Every Dog Adopted
Updated: Nov 28, 2022
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), over 6 million companion animals enter U.S. shelters every year. Of those, 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. Each day, about 1,100 dogs and 1,400 cats are put down in shelters across the country. These numbers are staggering, and they don't even take into account the millions of animals who are abandoned by their owners each year without ever entering a shelter.
About 15% are euthanized every year. This sad reality is due to several factors: pet overpopulation, lack of spaying and neutering, and irresponsible pet ownership. While there are many loving homes waiting to adopt a shelter pet, the number of animals in shelters continues to exceed the number of available homes.
If you're considering adding a new furry friend to your family, please visit your local animal shelter or rescue group first. There are so many wonderful animals waiting to be loved, and you just might find your new best friend in one of them.
What Do Animal Shelters Do?
An animal shelter is an organization that takes in homeless, unwanted, or abandoned animals and attempts to find suitable homes for them. Many shelters also offer adoption services, spaying and neutering assistance, vaccinations, and other medical care. Some even provide training and behavior counseling. Shelters exist to protect animals from abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Animal shelters provide a vital service in our communities, rescuing animals in need and finding them loving homes.
Most animal shelters are non-profit organizations supported primarily by donations, fundraisers, and grants. Some may also receive government funding or income from fees charged for adoptions or other services. Animal shelters typically house dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small mammals. However, some may also take in larger animals such as horses, pigs, goats, sheep, and even reptiles.