The dog days of summer “officially” ended Aug. 11, but with every month bringing yet another specially designated “day,” we couldn’t resist one upcoming recognition that is going to the dogs — and that’s a good thing.

Monday, Aug. 26, is National Dog Day, a day to celebrate our best four-legged friends. But more, it’s a day that offers a reminder for how people everywhere can find a home for the dogs in our community.

Data from Best Friends Animal Society, a national no-kill movement, indicates that 59,443 dogs entered Mississipi animal shelters in 2023. While 79.5% of those were saved, more than 7,000 cats and dogs in our state were killed because they had no home.

Across the United States, data is equally as dismal. The kill rate has reached the point where one dog is destroyed every 180 seconds. Again in 2023, more than 207,000 dogs in shelter were killed. That’s about 568 dogs killed every day.

Better statistics indicate that about 7 million people in America will make plans to acquire a new pet this year — and if just 6% more people than current numbers indicate chose to adopt than purchase their pet, there would be no need to kill a shelter animal.

To that end, there are several ways we as a community can get there, as Best Friends suggests:

Adopt a new best friend: When adding a new four-legged companion to their home, choosing the adoption option is one of the simplest ways to help achieve no-kill. Adopting helps save lives and reduce the demand for puppy mills or other inhumane commercial breeding facilities.

Spay and neuter: Not only does spaying and neutering pets prevent future litters, it can directly decrease the number of pets entering shelters. Additional benefits include reducing the risk of medical problems and expenses down the line.

Both Meridian and Lauderdale County Animal shelters emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering pets and accept donations to help cover the cost of the procedures for shelter animals.

Foster first: Not ready to adopt? Fostering is a great option that provides a pet with the space and time to decompress, while acclimating to life in a home. Fostering comes at no cost to those opening their homes, as shelter and rescue organizations typically cover all expenses while the pet is in foster. Many organizations offer also offer foster-to-adopt programs where individuals can see if a pet is right for their home before adopting.

Give back: Shelter staff across the country are spread thin. Walking dogs, cleaning kennels and doing laundry are all essential tasks to keep shelters running smoothly. If a lack of time prohibits volunteering, donating provides resources to help shelters save more lives. Plus, donations don’t have to be monetary — shelters always need supplies like food, blankets, towels, and even old newspapers. Reach out to your local shelter to find out what they need.

Utilize social media: Shelters and rescue groups often post about dogs in need at their organization. By sharing these posts on social media channels, more awareness is created which can help dogs find foster or adoptive homes. It’s a quick, free and easy way to make a positive difference — and that’s something we all can live with.

CMG News Service