Every Pet Deserves A Loving Home #RememberMeThursday2018

The influx of homeless pets into animal shelters and rescues is a heartbreaking, never ending process.  Far too many lost, abandoned, or surrendered dogs, cats, and other pets end up in shelters every day.  The Humane Society estimates that 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters every year. 

Not every homeless dog or cat ends up in a shelter or rescue that will keep them until a home can be found, no matter how long it takes. The most unlucky pets end up in animal shelters where the clock never stops ticking.  They are running out of time.

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I adopted Phoebe from the county animal shelter I was volunteering at.  She had arrived with a male companion, dirty, matted and frightened to death.  Not long after she and the little boy dog arrived at the adoption center, he began having problems with his neuter surgery.  They had to send him back to the clinic which was miles away.  Now Phoebe was all alone in her kennel.

It took some time for her to respond to me when I walked by her cage.  There was something special about her, I can't explain it. She looked so sad and defeated.  She wouldn't get out of her bed or even lift up her head.

Phoebe when I first brought her home

Each time I passed by her kennel I would speak softly to her and pet her gently on the head. After several hours and rounds up and down the aisle she finally began to respond to me.  Eventually she got out of her bed, wagged her tail and approached the kennel door to greet me.  I was so relieved she was finally responding to something, to someone.

I wasn't looking to add another dog to our family, but I just couldn't leave Phoebe there.  She was so frightened and fragile.  I knew she needed to get out of the shelter right away, so I brought her home and, well the rest is history!  Read more of Phoebe's story here.

On REMEMBER ME THURSDAY we shine a light on pet adoption.  

Phoebe became an important member of our family!

People often ask Why can't we save them all?  It's a question with no clear answer.  My question isn't just Why can't we save them all, but Why do so many pets end up without homes in the first place? What is the root cause of this problem? and far more importantly, What can we do about it?  Those are the questions that plague my mind and rack my brain.  There is no one clear answer to any of them.  

Being adopted is the greatest gift any homeless pet can receive.  All pets deserve a loving home where they can be cared for, loved, and spoiled, like Phoebe!  Please help shine a light on pet adoption for #RememberMeThursday by sharing this message of hope and love.

Remember Me Thursday; The Dogs Who Don't Get Adopted

Thank goodness for No Kill shelters and the lost or abandoned pets lucky enough to end up in one.  However, so many lost, abandoned, or surrendered dogs, cats, and other pets don't end up in shelters that are No Kill.  They don't end up in the places that will keep them until a home can be found no matter how long it takes. These unlucky pets are in a place where the clock never stops ticking.  They are running out of time.

Please HELP shine a light on all the pets waiting in shelters to be adopted

On REMEMBER ME THURSDAY we remember and honor the pets that have run out of time and lost their lives in animal shelters that live by the clock.  

People ask Why?  Why can't we save them all?  It's a question with no clear answer.  My question isn't just Why can't we save them all, but Why do so many pets end up without homes in the first place? and What is the root cause of this problem? Those are my questions.  There is no one answer, there are a variety of reasons pets end up homeless.  Some reasons are valid, many are senseless.  

I rescued my beautiful girl Phoebe from a county shelter in Arizona.  She had an extreme fear of men, but with patience, love, and a little time she blossomed into the most loving, friendly dog!  She is such a joy, I'm so glad she joined our family.

The reality is that  homeless animals are suffering in shelters through no fault of their own.  The reality is that every day, many of these homeless dogs, cats, and other homeless pets die in shelters because they have run out of time.  

Today, on REMEMBER ME THURSDAY, we remember those animals and try to raise awareness of their plight.

Adorable Gracie is still waiting for a loving home

ENTER the #RememberTheRescue CONTEST!!

The #RememberTheRescue Challenge is a social media photo contest where rescue pet parents tweet and post pics of their beloved adopted pets. Participants then nominate their favorite pet adoption organization or facility to WIN one of three awesome prize packages of Cash, Food and Toys!  

Upload a photo of your awesome rescue pet to shine a light on adoptable pets everywhere.  Your entry could WIN your favorite pet rescue organization life-saving funds and food (and toys too)!

You can enter the contest by clicking on the #RememberTheRescue Challenge link above to upload a photo or video and fill out the entry form.  You can also enter by posting a photo on Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtags #RememberTheRescue AND #RememberMeThursday. You must also visit the RememberMeThursday.org/contest web page to complete your Twitter and Instagram entries by providing your submission information. You have until September 30th the enter the contest!

Do you, or someone you know, have room in your heart and your home for any of these dogs, who have still not found forever homes?

Gracie has been waiting a long time for a home.  You can find her at the Bideawee animal shelter in New York. 

Handsome Pace has been waiting for a home since early 2016.  This goofy, energetic guy was transported from Alabama, but is currently in the Bideawee shelter in New York.

These two photos are of ICE, who has been waiting since early 2015 for a home!  She's a beautiful Hound mix who lived her life outdoors, chained to a tree day and night.  Her owner surrendered her when the weather became too cold for Ice to reasonably remain outdoors.  Ice knows basic the commands Sit, Down, Stay, and Drop It.  Living in a cage for over 2 years is no way for a dog to live, she desperately needs a home!

You'll find ICE waiting for a loving home at the  Town Of Hempstead Animal Shelter in New York.  Sadly, this beautiful girl is the 4th longest resident at the shelter.

Please share to help these dogs find homes.  They deserve to be loved and have been waiting far too long for loving homes.