National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week – Adopt, Love, Volunteer with Amazing Fur Babies!
There are millions of animals in shelters across America right this minute – yep, unfortunately, that is millions! This week, November 5-11, 2023, is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. The observance also serves to acknowledge the hard-working people supporting the efforts with their work at the shelters. Local shelters are great at finding new homes for homeless pets, but it’s not all they do. They rescue and rehabilitate injured or abused animals, too, and they reunite lost pets with their original families. They serve communities by saving their animals every day.
“The Humane Society of the United States founded National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week in 1996 to acknowledge and appreciate the role of shelters in communities all over the country. This holiday encourages the public to understand the level of work involved in caring for animals and to volunteer to help at their local animal shelter. The annual event acknowledges the hard-working people who support the shelters and help in keeping the pets healthy. According to reports, there are about 70 million stray animals in the United States, with up to eight million ending up in shelters. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that each year, only three million of these animals get adopted from the 3,500 animal shelters around the country.”
How You Can Show Appreciation
There are many ways people can get involved and show appreciation to animal shelter organizations this week, including:
- Adopt a shelter pet
- Foster a shelter pet
- Help with time or resources to repair or build shelters
- Help prep animals for adoption
- Provide needed supplies to shelters
- Feed shelter animals
Shelters Here on the Suncoast
There are shelters in most communities here on the Suncoast where you can volunteer, donate or find ways to show appreciation this week. We have compiled a list of these shelters that we are sure would benefit from your time, resources or other support this week, including:
Hillsborough County – Pet Resource Center – The Pet Resource Center is the only “open-admission” facility in the County. We accept domestic animals regardless of breed, size, or medical condition.
Manatee County Animal Welfare – The mission of Manatee County Animal Welfare is to maintain public safety and health through the enforcement of laws and ordinances related to animals, promote responsible pet ownership, promote adoptions, and reduce pet overpopulation.
SaveaRescue – SaveARescue’s overriding belief is that collaboration is essential to ending the Dog & Cat overpopulation, abandonment & dumping problems that exist nationwide.
SPCA Tampa Bay – Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Tampa Bay is a non-profit animal welfare agency that runs an open-admission For-All animal shelter and public pet hospital (veterinary center) in Pinellas County.
St. Francis Animal Rescue of Venice Inc. – We have made it our mission to rescue and care for homeless cats & kittens until we find them loving homes.
The Humane Society of Sarasota County – As the area’s premier no-kill shelter, the Humane Society of Sarasota County engages the hearts, hands, and minds of the community to help animals. We rely solely on contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week serves as a reminder of the vital role that animal shelters and rescue organizations play in our communities. These dedicated shelters not only provide a safe haven for countless animals in need but also offer invaluable services that promote responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. As we celebrate this week, let us express our gratitude to the shelter staff, volunteers, and donors who work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of animals. Their commitment and compassion inspire us to continue supporting and advocating for the welfare of all creatures, great and small. So, let us not only appreciate these shelters during this designated week but also throughout the year, ensuring that every animal has a chance to find a loving home and a brighter future.
Photos Courtesy of Deposit Photos & Pixaby