In this special spring break episode, I'm taking a break from my usual marketing and business topics to discuss the critical issue of animal shelter overcrowding/animal homelessness in the United States.
- According to the Humane Society, every 13 seconds a healthy dog or cat is euthanized in a U.S. shelter
- Approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide each year (3.1 million dogs, 3.2 million cats)
- Around 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized annually (390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats)
- 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year, while 810,000 are returned to their owners
- Shelters and rescues are experiencing severe overcrowding, especially after the pandemic-related adoption surge
I also share a couple of rescue/foster stories my children and I have tackled over the years:
- Her family's experience adopting Daisy, an older golden retriever scheduled for euthanization
- Fostering a puppy named Mocha who survived Parvo with emergency medical care
- Helping transport animals to northern rescues where there are stricter laws and fewer pets available
Even if you're not an animal person, there are ways you can help!
- Foster temporarily: Even a weekend or week-long foster helps create space in shelters
- Volunteer at shelters: Walk dogs, help with paperwork, or assist with cleaning
- Donate supplies: Food, towels, newspapers, or items from shelter Amazon wish lists and websites
- Make financial donations: Most rescues are nonprofits that need funding
- Help with transport: Drive animals to adoption events or transport routes
- Share on social media: Spread the word about animals needing homes!
- Sponsor an animal: Cover medical costs for a specific animal in need
- Support TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) programs for community cats
- Advocate for animal-friendly legislation in your community
- Offer photography/videography skills to help showcase animals for adoption
Links to resources:
- Greenville County Animal Care (government-funded shelter) https://www.greenvillecounty.org/acs/
- Greenville Humane Society (nonprofit shelter) greenvillehumane.com
- Various local rescue organizations:
- https://dogsquadsc.org/
- https://www.luckypup
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