The ASPCA Celebrates October as Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Monday, 29 September 2003

"Find Your Perfect Match at an Animal Shelter!" is organization's month-long message.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) will be celebrating October as Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month to encourage Americans to visit their local animal shelter if they are looking for their perfect four-legged match. Each year millions of dogs enter our nation's shelters, yet of the approximately 60 million owned dogs in this country, less than 20 percent were adopted from shelters.

"People need to be more aware that many of the same qualities they take into consideration when looking for a mate should be applied when looking for a pet," says Julie Morris, ASPCA Senior Vice President of National Shelter Outreach. "Each breed is equipped with unique traits and very specific lifestyle requirements." Each year, 7.5 million companion animals are available for adoption at our nation's animal shelters. Sadly, 68 percent of these animals are relinquished because they were not the appropriate match for their family's household.

The ASPCA National Shelter Outreach department will be helping over 10,000 shelters and rescue groups nationwide to promote the month-long campaign by providing them with specialized promotional materials. The materials will include guidelines that shelters can use when assisting prospective adopters. Shelter staff will be encouraged to assist adopters by asking them to consider their potential pet's needs as well as their own before making a selection.

"Make Pet Adoption Your First Option®" is a message that the ASPCA promotes throughout the year in order to facilitate our ultimate goal, an end to the euthanasia of all adoptable animals. Helping us to achieve this goal and supporting Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month, is our online partner Petfinder.com. Equipped with a searchable database of over 5,000 animal shelters and rescue groups, potential adopters can view thousands of adoptable animals ranging in age, size, breed and location on the website.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org