Which role will you play?
Nationwide statistics pertaining to animal shelters and rescues are simply staggering, but there are many ways to get involved that have direct and immediate impact. In reading these statistics, allow yourself a moment of denial, sadness, and anger. Then move forward, step up, and decide which role you will play!
Nationwide statistics:
“690,000 total animals were euthanized in 2023” (330,000 Cats & 360,000 Dogs)
”177,000 additional dogs and cats were in the animal sheltering system nationwide compared to the same time in 2022”
“900,000 more animals have entered and lingered in our nation’s shelters since January 2021, resulting in an ongoing capacity crisis.”
Rescues and government shelters receive numerous daily requests to take in strays and owner surrenders. The capacity crisis is very real and devastating.
While those numbers can feel paralyzing, you can find solace and hope in the fact that there were 6,010,000 “Live Outcomes” in 2023. These include adoptions, return-to-owner, return-to-field, etc.
Rescues will not be paralyzed by the fact that “we cannot save them all”. We do our best with the support of community. Volunteer and watch one life be saved. You will surely find it deeply rewarding.
YOU can step up to help combat this crisis. Pick a role from the list below and help fulfill our mission to reduce the number of community strays, unplanned litters, and euthanasia at our local animal shelters.
Volunteer - Socialize and play with animals, walk dogs, clean, transport to vet appts, etc.
Foster - Provide a home and love for an animal until it is adopted or as long as you are able
Donor - Monetary donations, tangible donations such as food, cleaning supplies, toys, etc.
Advocate - share our Facebook posts, refer people to our website!
Event Collaborator - Individuals and businesses can both get involved in event planning and execution!
No role is too small to make a difference. Which role will you play?
Statistics quoted from Shelter Animals Count
https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/stats#:~:text=109%2C000%20more%20dogs%20were%20adopted,were%20adopted%20compared%20to%202019