3 Ways to Be a Hero

When you adopt a dog or cat that needs a forever home, you are saving a life, and it doesn’t get much more heroic than that!

According to the ASPCA, about 1.5 million dogs and cats are euthanized annually in the United States. Every dog successfully adopted is a life saved.

The distribution of animals in the shelter system is not even geographically. Thanks to organizations like Dog is My Copilot, dogs are now being efficiently moved from areas where pet overpopulation is much higher than demand for these pets, to areas where these lovable second chance dogs and cats are in short supply.

That means that no matter where you live, there are adoptable dogs and cats to choose from!

Here are three ways you can find the perfect pup to adopt:

1. VISIT YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER

The widest variety of adoptable dogs and cats in need of a home in your area is likely the local animal shelter. Most now have an online presence, so if going to the shelter feels like too much pressure, search for a local shelter on Facebook where they often post updates on the new arrivals.

In addition, online sites such as Petfinder can help you see the adoptable dogs at several nearby shelters at once.

2. BREED RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS

Are you looking for a specific breed? Contrary to popular belief, many shelters have purebred dogs waiting to find a new home. Often these dogs have been surrendered because of a change in life circumstances such as death or financial hardship.

If you don’t feel like waiting for the right breed to come along at your local shelter, then search for breed specific rescue organizations in your state.

Whether you are looking for a Pitbull or a Weiner dog, almost every single breed now has dedicated volunteers working hard to locate the right homes for the animals in their care.

3. SPECIAL NEEDS DOG RESCUE GROUPS

Among the dogs in the adoption system, seniors, the deaf, the blind, and the physically disabled, are among the hardest to adopt. And yet, for some people, giving a home to a dog with special needs is the most rewarding experience of their lives.

There are now several groups devoted to helping these dogs get placed in loving homes. To find out more, search for “disabled dog rescue” followed by your state to find local groups looking for homes and fosters for these loving animals.