Adopting a Pet in October
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), over 6 million companion pets arrive at American animal shelters each year. That’s a sobering statistic. The good news is that about 4 million pets get adopted out of shelters each year.
You can help close the gap between surrendered and adopted pets. And October is the perfect month to do it.
Why, you ask? Because October is the ASPCA’s Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! It’s also the American Humane’s Adopt-a-Dog Month—and has been since 1981.
Here at the Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center, we want to share why you should consider adopting a dog (or cat) this October.
Why is October a Good Month to Adopt a Dog?
October is a good month to adopt a dog because it creates space in animal shelters for the winter months.
Winter might seem far away. For many Americans, September is still summer. Hot days begin fading into warm ones. Days grow shorter. But winter’s not really on our minds at all.
October is different. By October, many of us in the Bay Area are starting to think about using our heaters instead of our air conditioners. Up north, winter brings even chillier temperatures. Staying warm can be expensive. In too many cases, animal shelters fill up as people take stock of their meager budgets before the snow begins to fall.
When lots of people adopt shelter dogs in October, space opens up for those wintertime surrenders. And you get a new furry friend to snuggle with during the colder months.
It’s a win-win.
Pet Adoption: Tips to Prepare
Do you have room in your home and heart for a new dog? If you’ve never owned a dog before, read our tips for adopting a new pet. You’ll learn what questions to ask yourself as you visit your local animal shelter today and fill out an application.
Once you receive approval to bring a sweet pet home, you’ll want to set up a veterinary appointment. The ASPCA recommends bringing your adopted pet to their new vet within a week of coming home to you.
At the Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center, our caring team is here for more than your dog’s medical needs—although we love taking care of those, too. We’re also here to guide you through the process of welcoming a new dog into the family. When you have questions, concerns, or triumphs, you can share them with us.
We offer contemporary veterinary care alongside integrative holistic care like acupuncture, massage, and nutritional counseling. No matter what your adopted shelter dog needs, we’re here for you.
You can reach out to us today to set up an appointment for your adopted pal. We can’t wait to meet both of you!