Momma Told Me: October Is National Adopt A Dog Month- See How We Plan On Helping!

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October Is National Adopt A Dog Month- See How We Plan On Helping!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias
For every Pedigree product you buy at Sam's Club in October 2014 #PedigreeGives one bowl of dog food to a shelter in need! #Shop
Momma Told Me: I love all my children, even the ones with tails.

My pets are my children. I don't expect everyone to get it, really, but I try my best to explain and share my love of animals with anyone who will listen. It's not that I prefer to have fur-children over human children, my style of family planning just happens to have tails before rattles and diapers. If you think about it, really, pets are really like toddlers that never grow up. Sure, you get just as excited when the puppy 'makes it to the potty on time,' but the relief and joy over that never really ends, nor does the cleaning up after! Yes, being a pet parent is a labor of love. And if the government would allow me I'd probably have an entire litter of four-legged friends and adopt-a-dog every time I saw one roaming the streets.
For every Pedigree product you buy at Sam's Club in October 2014 #PedigreeGives one bowl of dog food to a shelter in need! #Shop
Unfortunately my space, and animal zoning regulations aren't as big as my heart. In fact, some critics would argue the 5lb ball of fluff I call a dog (Norah) doesn't even qualify as a dog- but she's about all we have room for in our condo with the cat. None-the-less, I grew up with a mother who was constantly taking animals in from shelter 'kill lists.' The animals that needed advanced care or end of life comfort most overcrowded shelters could not provide. As a result, I grew up with the desire to help homeless, and needy, animals as much as I could.
For every Pedigree product you buy at Sam's Club in October 2014 #PedigreeGives one bowl of dog food to a shelter in need! #Shop
I'm excited to share that you and I both can help a dog, and shelter, in need this October when we buy Pedigree dog food and treats at Sam's Club. In honor of National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, Pedigree has teamed up with Sam's Club to donate a bowl of food to a shelter in need for every Pedigree product purchased at Sam's Club this month! The 20lb Small Breed bg we picked up at Sam's Club will feed Nora for several months, and was so affordable we even picked up a second bag, and some Pedigree Stackerz tear treats to donate directly to our local shelter. That's 3 bowls of food donated by Pedigree, and a whole lot of yum directly from our household to the county animal shelter!
For every Pedigree product you buy at Sam's Club in October 2014 #PedigreeGives one bowl of dog food to a shelter in need! #Shop
In fact, visiting the local shelter is something we do at least once a month, and usually more often. Volunteering time at our shelter requires a once a week, 4 hour commitment; peanuts when you consider it! We also have found ways to help out be dropping off excess toys and treats from special couponing scores items that are simply too big for Nora (we get a lot for reviews), and even great buys on toys we find from the dollar store. We never visit the shelter empty handed and no donation is too small. But one of the most important ways you can help out is by spreading the word that there are great animals right at your local shelter, waiting for a home.
For every Pedigree product you buy at Sam's Club in October 2014 #PedigreeGives one bowl of dog food to a shelter in need! #Shop
For years I have been supporting a local non-profit organization known as No Kill LA; which aims to make Los Angeles, CA a kill free shelter zone. In 2012 over 13k healthy animals were put to sleep in Los Angeles shelters due to overcrowding, and in 2013 9k. While the numbers are getting smaller these facts are still staggering, and this is just in a metropolitan area near me; what are your statistics near you? Unfortunately, as much as Sabrina (12) would like to think so, adopting a dog is not a decision that can be made on a whim. It can be hard not to give into the puppy eyes of your children, or the literal puppies, but adopting a dog is a big decision.
I encourage all animal lovers considering a new pet to visit a local shelter; it's free and many are open 7 days a week with extended hours. While you may want a puppy; consider your family's makeup- do you have older pets that might have trouble adjusting to a rambunctious new pet? Do you have younger children that might not be able to understand the needs and energy of a puppy? A dog is not considered a puppy if it is older than a year in age; and the adoption rates drop significantly for every year after. But adopting an older dog can be beneficial in many circumstances. Most adult dogs are house-trained, and even socialized with humans and other pets. Talk to your shelter representatives to learn about each dog and their individual temperaments.
On our most recent shelter visit we had a chance to get in a little play and cuddle time with a nameless chihuahua who had been taken in off the street just 6 days before. Chihuahuas and pit bulls are common overpopulated breeds found on the streets near us. This particular sweet girl had had a few litters of her own and was very timid at first. Holding her close to her body and offering some gentle scratches beneath her chin Sabrina was at last able to get the dog to  open her eyes and stop trembling. Because I could not take her home, I promised we would share her story, and ID number with friends and family who might have an inviting home.
For every Pedigree product you buy at Sam's Club in October 2014 #PedigreeGives one bowl of dog food to a shelter in need! #Shop
If you are able to accommodate a pet, or more pets, in your home, you may wish to ask your local animal services and shelter about becoming a foster parent. Foster homes are crucial to easing the overcrowding in shelters, extending an animals potential adoptions time, and identifying any special needs an animal may have (IE: not good with kids, needs an active lifestyle, prefers natural litter) that may give them better odds of being adopted by the right home. Most animal shelters seek foster homes for small animals, cats, and dogs- and you can join a foster program while still maintaining control over which animals you do or do not welcome into your home; it is always voluntary.
Blessings Bags- Fill a Gallon sized Ziploc bag with water, granola bars, antiseptic/hand santizer, dog food and more for any homeless citizens you may pass while in the car, on the street. Remember the homeless have pets too! #PedigreeGives #shop
Last, but not least, in honor of National Adopt A Shelter Dog month I wanted to re-share an idea I featured here on the blog last year. Our family always has a few gallon sized bags full of water, antiseptic/hand sanitizer, granola bars, and tuna, for any homeless we may pass in the car on the street. We have recently begun adding single serve dog  food pouches for the numerous homeless we see with pets by their side. I guess you can say seeing how #PedigreeGives has really inspired us! If you'd like to learn more about Pedigree's initiatives and great products be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube and remember, for every Pedigree product you buy at Sam's Club this month they will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need!

Do you have an adopted shelter pet? How can you give back to the shelters and homeless animals?

What Daughter Says: There are many ways you can share your heart with an animal in need this October!






As a special note, the #PedigreeGives Twitter Party will take place on 10/14 at 1PM EST (10 PST)- So, if you love animals an want to talk pets, head on over and RSVP, there will be $550 in prizes!


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October is national pet adoption month and #PedigreeGives one bowl of food to a shelter in need for every qualifying Pedigree purchase made at @SamsClub in honor. Learn more about this limited time cause now! #cbias #shop

33 comments:

  1. Our dog is a rescue, and even though the shelter totally lied to us about his personality, we made it work :)

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  2. This is such a great post. Adoption is the best thing. There are so many little guys that need homes. I'm glad to see Pedigree giving back like this.

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  3. Awww, I really enjoyed reading your post and love what Pedigree does for shelters! Your dog is such a cutie :).

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  4. OMG too cute! we already have a dog and he's the best! He is too jealous for us to get another.

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  5. We might adopt in the next few years - maybe. And, I love Norah, she's soooo cute!!!

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  6. We adopted our pup, so I love this. It's a great way for people to help if they can't actually take in another dog. So easy to do if you're buying it anyway, just get it at Sam's.

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  7. I love that Pedigree is donating food to shelter dogs. With that saved money, the shelter can do more to help keep the dogs happy and healthy for adoption.

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  8. Our latest dog, Franklin was a rescue. We were originally just going to foster him. That lasted about for about three hours...

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  9. Visiting our local pet shelter has always been a bittersweet time. I love seeing all of the cats and dogs but feel SO bad when I have to leave. We have 2 adult cats and a dog so we're not looking to add to our family but those shelter pets deserve love and attention to.

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  10. I feel so sorry for all those poor little dogs and cats that are stuck at the shelters. Pedigree is doing a great thing.

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  11. Awesome post!! All of our pets were adopted from the shelter and pet adoption something we feel very strongly about! I can't wait until my daughter is a little bit older and we can go volunteer at local shelters! We can't take them all home, but we can definitely help them in other ways!

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  12. Bless your mom for everything she did for those poor animals! Those little guys need our help. I think adoption is always the way to go.

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  13. We adopted and it was one of the best decisions we ever made

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  14. OMG - love your video. I swear I wanted to take them all home, when I went to the shelter

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  15. Sherpa is a shelter pet and he's my baby. I grew up with dogs but I like the independent nature of cats and erm, goats.

    Norah is a little sweetie.

    I support a no kill cat shelter with donations. Sherpa came from the Humane Society.

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  16. I have 3 rescue dogs and 2 cats from shelters. I would only ever get pets from a shelter or rescue. There are so many pets that need loving homes. We donate food to our shelters whenever we can.

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  17. I wish we could get another dog but our house just isn't big enough.

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  18. Your pictures are so compelling!! Love the fact that your child will clean her room for a new best friend.

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  19. Adoption is awesome, there are so many great pets out there for so many families, we love our little Diego!!

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  20. I was not aware it was Adopt a dog month. I have rescued a cat before and it was a great experience.

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  21. Aw this is so sweet! All of our fur babies were adopted and we couldn't be happier with them!

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  22. That sign is adorable! Pet adoption is great.

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  23. She is too cute! I didn't realize that Pedigree and Sam's Club donated like that, how cool!

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  24. I love seeing big brands doing great things! We have a rescue dog and cat. I wouldn't have it any other way!

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  25. Love the blessing bag idea! We have 2 shelter cats and someday (when the kids are a little older) I want a dog that will definitely be rescued from a shelter! Great program from Sam's Club.

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  26. What a fantastic idea on the blessing bags. Homeless people are not that frequent in my area, but I can see this would such a great idea. Adding the dog food for their pets probably makes them feel so great about providing for their pets. Loved the pet shelter story and how we can all do out part.

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  27. We adopted both of our cats. It is such a wonderful feeling knowing that you have saved an animal and given it a good home.

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  28. We adopted both of our cats. It is such a wonderful feeling knowing that you have saved an animal and given it a good home.

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  29. Great post! Your dog is soooo cute! So many dogs need a home. #client

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  30. That little chihuahua would be MINE!! I am a chichi lover. SO cute.

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  31. I totally get it when you talk about your fur kids being your kids. I feel the same way. I totally get that my pets are not human...I'm not crazy! But I believe they are God's creatures that I've been blessed with the responsibility to take care of. That makes them my kids.

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  32. Your idea of keeping a gallon bag for homeless persons you find on the street---simply genius. I'm going to do that! Adding a little food for their pet is also very thoughtful.

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