National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week Highlights Pets In Need

by ANC Staff and HSUS

November 2 - 8 marks the eighth annual National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week - a week when The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) focuses on drawing attention to the role animal shelters play in their communities, and Pets 911 highlights the plight of the many lovable and deserving animals waiting for adoption across the country.

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is a chance to spotlight the accomplishments and identify the needs of shelters, whose business encompasses tough and often thankless tasks.

It’s also a week to feel joyful about the happy endings achieved when a homeless dog is adopted by a family that is a perfect match for the dog’s needs.

Dogs like Nautica, for instance, give animal shelters a good name. A young, cattle dog mix, Nautica was accused of being "too active" by her first family, who gave her up to The Humane Society of Baltimore County.

But that’s not what Robin Haines thought about Nautica when she was looking for a dog to be a companion for her 14-year-old son who has cerebral palsy.

Nautica was identified as a match, not only as a companion to Bryan, but as an assistance dog. For the teenager, who is unable to speak and has a limited ability to move, Nautica has become not only a constant companion, but also a means of communicating with the rest of the world.

Among her other amazing feats, Nautica is learning to pick up objects that Bryan drops or can’t reach and is learning to go for help if Bryan is having a seizure.

And then there’s Norman’s story.

The Healdsburg Animal Shelter in Sonoma County, California wouldn’t give up on Norman, a frightened and seemingly unsociable stray dog. While the staff was working with the pooch, they found out through a microchip scan he had been missing for one-and-a-half years.

His long ordeal of hopeless wandering was finally at an end. Norman was successfully rehabilitated and reunited with his family.

A blind pit-bull mix named Duke was an unlikely candidate for adoption. Not many people would be willing to take this special needs pet into their home. But the Humane Society of Sarasota County, Florida wouldn’t give up on Duke and took his story to the airwaves.

Tennis star Martina Navratilova saw the story and went to meet Duke. It was a love match. Navratilova adopted Duke who now lives the celebrity life with Navratilova and her other dogs.

As part of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, HSUS has released a list of ten suggestions for individuals interested in helping to support the work of animal shelters:

1. You say your animal shelter is not perfect? Be a part of the solution. Every animal shelter can benefit from the community’s help. Help your animal shelter make your community a better place for animals and people.
2. Lend a hand. Volunteer your time at your local shelter. Bathe and groom the animals, walk dogs, or play with cats. Stuff envelopes for a mailing. Help publicize an event.
3. Give a little bit. Donate food, old blankets and towels, or other needed supplies. Contribute to one of its special programs.
4. Find that special someone. Choose your next pet from your local shelter, which has many wonderful dogs, cats and other species of different shapes and sizes just waiting for a permanent, loving home.
5. Help spread the word. Tell your friends about your local shelter’s services. Promote animal safety and responsible pet ownership.
6. Be a responsible pet owner. Keep current identification on your dog or cat at all times. Spay or neuter your pet. Always keep your dog or cat properly confined or supervised. In addition to the basics—food, water, shelter, and veterinary care—give your pet lots of love and attention.
7. Vote for the animals. Support legislation to protect animals. Contact government officials about animal issues and urge them to support pro-animal legislation.
8. Lobby for more Spay/Neuter postage stamps. The U.S. Postal Service has sold out of 250 million spay/neuter postage stamps. You can lobby the USPS to issue another run of spay/neuter stamps. Go to www.americanpartnershipforpets.org for information. If you are thinking about holiday gift giving, stamp-related merchandise is still available, including a plush puppy and kitten, t-shirts and tote bags.
9. Be a hero. Report animal cruelty and neglect as well as injured or stray animals. You may prevent suffering and even save a life. Consider starting a Neighborhood Watch for Animals. Go to www.hsus.org/firststrike for more information.
10. Teach your children compassion. Instruct children in how to care for animals properly and how to treat them with kindness. Set an example by doing the same.

The HSUS is the nation’s largest animal protection organization with more than seven million members and constituents. This year, The HSUS announced the start of a new partnership with Pets 911, a nationwide public service that provides easy access to local pet information.

Anyone wishing to see pictures of animals waiting to be adopted, or who simply wants to locate their nearest animal shelter, can visit www.Pets911.com or call 1-888-PETS-911.

More animal protection success stories, and more information about The HSUS, can be found at their Web site: www.hsus.org.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.