November 7, 2011

The HSUS Celebrates National Animal Shelter (and Rescue!) Appreciation Week

WASHINGTON— The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization, proudly celebrates National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week  from Nov. 6-12, and encourages pet lovers to support their local shelters and rescues.

Celebrated the first full week of November, The HSUS founded the national event in 1996 as a way to engage the community in the work of the local shelters and rescues and help save more animals’ lives. 

Approximately 3,500 animal shelters across the United States serve the estimated 6-8 million homeless animals who need refuge each year, and many more animals find themselves in need of the services provided by local rescue groups. These cats, dogs, and other companion animals end up in shelters and rescues through no fault of their own – their families move and can’t take them, their owner is allergic, or any other number of reasons. These are animals who will make fabulous pets if only given a chance.  

“Animal shelters and rescues are great places to find your next pet, but local shelters and rescues also do so much more,” says Inga Fricke, director of sheltering and pet care issues for The HSUS.  “Not only do they give homeless pets a second chance, these organizations provide other life-saving services such as investigating cruelty and neglect, reuniting lost pets with their families, teaching kids to care about animals, and providing spay/neuter services to help reduce pet overpopulation in their communities.”

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is a perfect opportunity for community members to become acquainted with their local shelters and recues to help homeless pets.  Fricke notes that it’s never too early to learn about animal shelters, and this year, The HSUS teamed up with the PBS KIDS’ television series “Martha Speaks” to provide resources and information about supporting animal shelters, understanding and caring for pets, and responsible pet adoption.

 Here are a few ways everyone can get involved to help save homeless pets:

• Adopt a pet. Find your next pet online at theshelterpetproject.org.
• Promote pet adoption. Become a fan of the Shelter Pet Project on Facebook at facebook.com/shelterpetproject.
• Volunteer.  Helping animals at a shelter or rescue organization can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Look on local groups’ websites for opportunities or visit VolunteerMatch.org.
• Donate funds or supplies. Shelters and rescues are often in need of towels, toys, and other supplies for the animals – and collect needed items from family, friends, and colleagues.

For more ideas on how to support the work of a local shelter during National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, visit humanesociety.org/sheltersrock.

The HSUS is the nation's strongest advocate for local humane organizations. Besides celebrating the valuable services that shelters and rescues provide to our nation’s communities through National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, The HSUS supports their efforts by providing training programs, hosting Animal Care Expo, the nation's largest trade and educational show for shelter professionals, advising shelters on best practices in shelter operations and much more. The HSUS has also partnered with Maddie’s Fund and the Ad Council to launch the Shelter Pet Project, the nation’s largest promotion of shelter animal adoption – to see the ads and search for adoptable pets visit theshelterpetproject.org. 

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Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals work on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “HumaneTV” app.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the Web at humanesociety.org.