Looking for a new pet? Several online sites showcase DFW pets in need of homes

Photo courtesy DFW Animal Rescue

Everyday ordinary people are making a difference in the lives of homeless animals by featuring them in blogs, on Facebook, and even on Twitter.   If you're looking for a new pet, the Internet may very well be the best place to start.  Here are just a few of the many online sites helping animals in our community find new homes:

• Petfinder.com -  Petfinder is a comprehensive encyclopedia of adoptable pets from across the country.  Offered free to all non-profit animal adoption organizations, Petfinder claims the title the "largest pet Web site on the Internet" and showcases pets from more than 13,000 shelters and rescue groups.  Prospective adopters can search Petfinder's adoptable pet  listings by species, breed, and location, or search for a specific shelter or rescue group in your area.  Petfinder has been responsible for more than 13 million adoptions since 1995.  Some local adoption agencies report as many as 40% of successful adoptions originate with Petfinder.  You can also find Petfinder on Facebook and on Twitter @petfinder.  
• ReadLarryPowell.com - Larry Powell is an Urban Animal Magazine columnist, former Dallas Morning News columnist and longtime journalist.  A bit of a celebrity among local rescuers for his unfailing support of animal rescue, Larry started blogging about animals in need nearly a decade ago.  Daily updates provide information on animals in critical situations in shelters and rescue groups across North Texas, pets whose owners can no longer keep them and are desperate for help, pet-friendly events and fundraisers, local pet news and commentary on life.  You can also follow ReadLarryPowell.com on Facebook by searching "Fans of readlarrypowell.com".
• DFW Animal Rescue - Here's where you'll find many of the same great Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner stories you enjoy here, as well as links to local news affecting pet lovers, upcoming events, and articles and resources of interest to those active in the DFW animal welfare community.  DFWAR profiles adoptable animals, but also features local pet-friendly businesses as well as rescue groups and shelters, and provides unique insight into current events pertaining to animals. DFWAR is also on Facebook, where you'll find even more information. 
• Paws To Save was created by a Paws In The City volunteer to showcase animals in need of homes from a variety of sources- animals that the local rescue group would like to help but simply couldn't.  Local rescue groups and shelters overflowing with homeless pets are often forced to turn away animals in need.  Paws To Save helps fill that gap by providing detailed profiles as well as photos and contact information for animals looking for new homes, be it a stray rescued from the streets or an animal whose owner has died unexpectedly.
• Dallas Strays and Rescues. Created by Norah Meier, this busy Facebook group is the place to network Metroplex pets in need.  You'll find information about pets on borrowed time in animal shelters, in rescue group foster homes, and even stories from regular everyday people who got involved and need a place to reach out for help.  To find out more, search "Dallas Strays and Rescues" on Facebook.

In addition to these sites which feature pets from a variety of sources, many of the local shelters and rescue groups have Facebook pages where you can find even more adoptable animals.  Most of those can be accessed from the organization's main website. 

If you're looking for a new companion, or even if you're not, check out the sites mentioned and see for yourself how easy it is to find a great dog or cat waiting for a new home.