Americans love their pets. Today more than 135 million cats and dogs live with families. However sometimes when families have hardships, such as loss of employment or illness, animals must be given up. In 2012 it is estimated that 6-8 million dogs and cats were brought into shelters. Unfortunately, it is estimated that only one-half to two thirds of those found new homes. Approximately 3-4 million cats and dogs were euthanized. While this may seem like a large number, to put it into perspective, this is enormous progress from just 40 years ago. During the 1970’s there were 12-20 million animals put down.
Our 5,000 independent nationwide animal shelters and animal lovers like you are the reason that more animals are being saved. Shelters work hard to provide care for sick animals so they can be healthy for adoption, while caring people are coming forward to adopt and provide homes. Local shelters have worked throughout 2012 to make it a successful year for all pets, adopting out thousands of animals just in our King County area alone.
At the beginning of 2012 the Seattle Humane Society set a goal for the year of facilitating 5,500 adoptions. By Christmas they had surpassed their goal by thirty three. They found loving homes for 5,533 animals, and are determined to do even better next year.
Two other local shelters have been working equally hard. Purrfect Pals has been busy fundraising to provide daily care for their 200+ current feline residents. Over the year they found adoptive homes for nearly 2,500 cats that came to the facility. MEOW Cat Rescue in Kirkland earned a spot on the Great Nonprofits 2012 Top-Rated List. They found homes for 1,500 animals.
From just these three local community shelters, almost 10,000 pets have found homes where they will be loved and cared for. Let's keep it up for next year and help even more pets in 2013. Remember, there are many ways to help. Even if you are unable to adopt, a donation of funds or time to any shelter will provide a better quality of life for animals that have been surrendered or rescued. They deserve that. May we all have a happy and healthy new year, human and animal alike.
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