Thursday, September 24, 2020

It's Time To Help Others #SeeTheLight About Pet Adoption #RememberMeThursday

I have a cousin who worked for our local humane society back in the 1980s, and I will never forget the day she told me that on the day a dog was to be euthanized they would go out and get them a hamburger from McDonalds as one last special meal. If that doesn't simply gut you I just don't know what to say. I can't even type it without crying. Those innocent little angels deserved the kind of life your own cherished pets enjoy, but they were never given that chance.


We've come a long way since then - this same shelter now adopts out animals so quickly we're able to partner with shelters down south to save even more lives - but as a nation we still have a long, long way to go. The sad truth is, for over a million healthy, adoptable animals each year, help never comes. Thanks to awareness that number has consistently decreased in the last decade, but just one animal dying alone, forgotten in a shelter, is one too many.

That's why animal-lovers and animal welfare organizations across the globe will unite today with a Remember Me Thursday pet candle-lighting ceremony. The candles, which will be lit on the exact same day across the world, will honor the millions of pets who lost their lives without the benefit of a loving home and shine a light on the millions of healthy pets who are still awaiting adoption. The Remember Me Thursday global awareness campaign encourages individuals to light a candle this day (literally or virtually) and to opt to adopt, reducing the millions of orphan pets euthanized each year.


Since this is a cat blog we put together a list of  just 5 purr-fect reasons to adopt a cat at your local shelter, but these same reasons hold true for dogs, rabbits, and pocket pets too!

1) You're saving TWO lives. Every time a cat is adopted, you're actually saving the lives of 2 cats, the adopted cat and the next one who will take their place in the shelter.

2) Choices, choices, choices. Are you looking for a Persian or a Siamese? A tabby or a tortie (YAY!!!)? Every breed and color pattern can be found at your local shelter or breed rescue group. Do you want a kitten, an older cat, a special needs baby? Each spring during “kitten season,” thousands of newborn kittens join the millions of cats already in shelters across the country. That means your local shelter has tons of cute, cuddly newborns, in addition to all the mellow, older cats and everything in between.

3) Spay/neuter, vaccinations, deworming...oh my! All of these things are taken care of before you leave the shelter with your new pet. Some shelters even send you home with a certificate for a free first visit to the vet, a microchip and a goodie bag! Trained shelter staff also evaluate each cat for any possible behavioral issues.

4) Encourage friends and family to adopt. Many people fear that shelter cats are feral or not very friendly or well-adjusted. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most are happy and healthy, well socialized, and house-trained. They are also much less expensive than purchasing a cat from a breeder. By adopting a shelter cat and talking about your positive experience, you'll encourage others to do the same thing. Changing just one mind can save a life.

5) Adopting a cat can benefit your health. Studies have indicated that people who live with a cat have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. This includes lowering the risk of having a heart attack. Cats are also credited with helping to reduce stress levels, helping to reduce blood pressure, helping to lower cholesterol levels, and helping to reduce the risk of depression. It turns out money CAN buy health and happiness...in the form of an adoption fee :)

Shelters are full of animals who are in need of a second chance. They are homeless due to no fault of their own. If you have room in your heart and your home for a new best friend, one is as close as your nearest shelter. If you're not in a position to adopt right now, share some of their stories on social media. They are counting on us...let's not let them down.


Orphaned pets can't speak for themselves. We are their only voice. Spread the word about Remember Me Thursday on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #RememberMeThursday and #SeeTheLight to share your thoughts and feelings about the importance of pet adoption.

CONTEST: Win life-saving funds or food for a rescue or shelter of your choice! Take a photo of your rescue pet and tag the picture with #RememberMeThursday and #SeetheLight on social media to be entered into the challenge!


20 comments:

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

This is just such an important day to remind people about shelter animals.

Mickey's Musings said...

I agree that it is important to remember shelter pets and encourage people to adopt from a shelter.
Purrs, Julie

Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat said...

Great ideas on how to help. Love that picture of Mudpie too!

Patricia T said...

Thank you, Melissa!

The Island Cats said...

We are surprised at the low number of animals that are adopted from shelters.

Eastside Cats said...

Our local animal shelter works very hard with nearby rescue groups, to make sure more are fostered and adopted!
Adopt, don't shop...rescued is our favorite breed.

Lola The Rescued Cat said...

Oh my stars, we cried about the hamburger. It's heart-wrenching. Thankfully things are better, but you're right... as a nation, we have a long way to go. Thanks for joining our hop!

Catscue Cat Mom said...

What a beautiful and informative post today Mudpie, we have wet eyes.

Timmy Tomcat said...

Wonderful to see you joining in with so many of us all over the world wanting no more pets without homes. Purrs friends

The Florida Furkids said...

The hamburger story and the poem made us have leaky eyes. So sad.

The Florida Furkids

Brian's Home Blog said...

Adoptions are just the best and here's to many, many more...and then some! It should be illegal for places that kill animals to be called a shelter.

The Swiss Cats said...

Beautiful post ! That's such an impawtant day today : adopt, don't shop ! Purrs

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Lovely post!

Heartbreaking that some animals never get the chance to experience life in a forever home :(

pilch92 said...

Great post! Adopting from shelters is so rewarding. XO

Chirpy Cats said...

It must be a thing that some shelters did because I heard about the ‘last hamburger’ too and it just makes me cry 😢 And so does that poem.
Love the beautiful photo of the one and only Mudpie :)

meowmeowmans said...

Thank you, Mudpie and Mom Melissa, for this wonderful and important post. That hamburger story absolutely slayed me. As far as we've come, we have a long way to go until the day when all homeless pets fid their very own happily ever afters. XO

Cathy Keisha said...

Pawsome post! Rescue is my fave breed. TW has always wanted a bengal but it wasn't to be. Heh heh.

Marvelous Marv said...

Way back in the 1950s a furrend of my Mom's Grampa started the Humane Society in Calgary. Ever since then, every cat in the family has been a rescue, we thinked about it and that is 30 cats in my mom's and her 2 sister's families! And now the Grands are starting to get cats and those too are rescues! It is not only a passion for sharing and caring, but lets peoples know how precious a life lived well is. Thanks yous for being part of this!
Purrs
Marv, Jo Jo, Kozmo, Cinnamon and Angel Nellie

The Menagerie Mom said...

It breaks my heart to think of all the sweet kitties and pups out there awaiting their forever homes. I pray every day that they can all enjoy the happy life they deserve. Your post is so beautiful and poignant for this Remember Me Thursday.

Three Chatty Cats said...

Oh my gosh, that is so heartbreaking to read about the poor dogs. What a tough job to have. Thank you for sharing about the benefits of pet adoption!