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We add new stories and updates every few weeks. Sometimes we're traveling, often there are cute moments to share, and occasionally we run into some serious surprises.
We add new stories and updates every few weeks. Sometimes we're traveling, often there are cute moments to share, and occasionally we run into some serious surprises.
Each year, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters[4]. This staggering number includes about 3.1 million dogs and 3.2 million cats[7][6]. While this may seem overwhelming, it's actually a significant improvement from decades past. In 1973, over 20 million animals entered shelters annually[4].
Despite this progress, the reality is that not all shelter animals find homes. On average, 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year - 1.6 million dogs and 1.6 million cats[4]. This leaves a gap of millions of animals still in need of homes.
The good news is that adoption rates are trending upward. In 2022, both dog and cat adoptions from shelters increased[7]. More people are recognizing the benefits of adopting shelter pets. In fact, 42.8% of pet owners now prefer to adopt from shelters or rescues over other sources[4].
However, challenges remain. Approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized each year[4]. While this number has decreased significantly from about 2.6 million in 2011, it's still far too high. Every animal deserves a chance at a loving home.
Certain factors influence adoption rates. For instance, adult dogs were adopted more often than puppies in 2022[7]. This shift may be due to people recognizing the benefits of adopting already-trained adult dogs. On the other hand, black cats are less likely to be adopted than other cats, highlighting the need to combat unfounded superstitions[7].
Encouragingly, the number of no-kill animal shelters has doubled from 2016 to 2022[7]. This reflects a growing commitment to finding homes for all adoptable animals.
It's crucial to note that most pets are surrendered to shelters through no fault of their own[7]. Common reasons include changes in living situations, financial difficulties, or owners' health issues. This underscores the importance of supporting pet owners and providing resources to help keep pets in their homes when possible.
The impact of adoption extends beyond individual animals. By adopting, we create space in shelters for other animals in need. Moreover, 96% of Americans believe we have a moral duty to protect animals[4]. By choosing adoption, we put those values into action.
As we look to the future, continued education and support for adoption are vital. With 86.9 million U.S. households owning pets[6], there's enormous potential to make a difference. By choosing adoption, we not only save lives but also experience the unparalleled joy and companionship that shelter pets provide.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8783015/
[2] https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/intake-and-outcome-data-analysis-q3-2023/
[3] https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-020-02728-2
[4] https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/pet-adoption-statistics/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9454919/
[6] https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/pet-adoption-statistics/
[7] https://www.dogster.com/statistics/pet-adoption-statistics
[8] https://vetmed.vt.edu/news/2023/adopting-from-animal-shelters.html
Cigarette Burns on Her Belly
Jan 10, 2018
Darla [pictured above] was not supposed to be our dog. Monica received a call from her friend, Theron, who had heard that an elderly neighborhood couple had found a puppy in terrible condition. Monica thought she could coach the couple over the phone on how to properly care for a young puppy. However, the woman insisted that the puppy was vomiting and had diarrhea. Within an hour, Monica aquired the puppy and rushed her to Coronado Animal Clinic. She noticed that the little girl had cigarette burns on her belly! Dr. Freund, the vet, would later confirm. Additionally, he made it clear that the pup was in a dire state and may not make it.
Years later, as I write this, Darla is under the blanket, snoring. Her favorite past time is playing hard and sleeping just as hard! Videos of her will be posted in our Sanctuary Dogs portion of the YouTube channel.
We were taught how to help dogs by people that had been doing it for years before we started. Many of the dogs featured in our gallery came from the City of Sunland Park animal control. Diane Avery, Bonnie Ortiz, and Carrie Teran started volunteering there to help move dogs and prevent them from being euthanized. They saved the City hundreds of thousands of dollars and, most importantly, saved hundreds of dogs from death. Loretta Hyde from the Animal Rescue League in El Paso has also been pivotal in mentoring us (and the rest of the Southwest!).
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