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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.
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.
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!
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 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.
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.
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!
