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Celebrate Shelter Pets Day on December 5 is the perfect time to show your appreciation for all of our furry friends in shelters! This special day was created in 2019 by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) as a way to recognize pets that have been rescued from shelters and raise awareness about proper pet care. Whether you are an animal lover or just looking for some companionship, Celebrate Shelter Pets Day is a great opportunity to bring home a lovable new family member.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1866</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>ASPCA Founded</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the first animal welfare organization in North America, was established.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1954</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Animal Welfare Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Animal Welfare Act, the first federal law regulating the treatment of animals in research and exhibition, was enacted.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1973</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First No-Kill Shelter</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first animal shelter claiming a "no-kill" policy, committed to saving all healthy and treatable animals, opened its doors in San Francisco.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1984</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month</div><div class='timeline-text'>February has been designated National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, a significant step towards reducing the number of animals in shelters.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center</div><div class='timeline-text'>The ASPCA opened the doors to their Animal Poison Control Center, assisting in the prevention of accidental poisonings of companion animals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Celebrate Shelter Pets Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Celebrate Shelter Pets Day was celebrated, encouraging adoption and raising awareness about proper pet care.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Adopt a pet</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Save a life and bring home a new furry friend from your local animal shelter. When you adopt a pet, you’ll help reduce the number of homeless pets in your community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Foster an animal</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many shelters need temporary caregivers for their animals. Fostering is a great way to give back and provide love and care to an animal in need.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate supplies</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Shelters are always looking for donations such as food, bedding, toys, bowls, collars and leashes. Even if you’re unable to foster or adopt, you can still help animals in need.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer at the shelter</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you’re feeling up for it, volunteer at your local shelter! You can walk dogs, clean cages, play with cats, help with adoption events and more.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread the word</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Let your friends and family know about Celebrate Shelter Pets Day by posting on social media or sharing stories of shelter pets you know!</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a great way to celebrate the love of pet adoption</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Shelter Pets Day is a great opportunity for pet owners and animal lovers to come together and celebrate their love of pet adoption. It's a day to recognize the joys of owning an adopted pet and all they bring to our lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes adoption over purchasing</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Celebrating Shelter Pets Day serves as an important reminder that there are thousands of homeless animals in shelters just waiting to be adopted into loving homes. Not only does it encourage people to adopt pets instead of buying them, but it also helps spread awareness about overcrowded shelters and the need for foster homes and adopter families.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It shows appreciation to shelter and rescue workers</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The people who work at animal shelters and rescues dedicate their lives to helping displaced animals find loving forever homes. Celebrating Shelter Pets Day is a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work and the important role they play in society.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Millions of shelter pets find forever homes each year</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year, including 1.6 million dogs and 1.6 million cats.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shelter pets come in all shapes and sizes</h3><p class='facts-content'>Shelters house a vast variety of animals. Beyond dogs and cats, many shelters also offer rabbits, rodents, birds, and reptiles for adoption.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many shelter pets are already house-trained</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many animals in shelters are older and already have basic training skills. Adopting a shelter pet often means skipping the puppy or kitten stage and welcoming a trained companion into your home.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Microchipping increases pets' chances of being reunited with their owners</h3><p class='facts-content'>Most shelters microchip animals before adoption. Microchipped pets have a much higher chance of return if lost, making this a valuable service provided by shelters.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Adopting a shelter pet can save veterinary costs</h3><p class='facts-content'>Most shelters include vaccinations, de-worming, microchipping, spaying or neutering in the adoption fee, potentially saving adopters significant initial veterinary costs.</p></div></div>
Celebrate Shelter Pets Day is celebrated on December 5 every year. In 2024, the date will fall on a Thursday.
2023
Dec 5
Tuesday
2024
Dec 5
Thursday
2025
Dec 5
Friday
2026
Dec 5
Saturday
2027
Dec 5
Sunday
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