C. Mutts need people, too
National Mutt Day was founded in 2005 to promote awareness for all the dogs in shelters who are not purebreds. Often passed over for their pedigreed cousins, mixed breed dogs end up at a pet shelter more frequently, and they tend to wait longer in shelters before getting adopted. Why? For no other reason than human perception. Somehow we’ve gotten it into our heads that purebred dogs are the best dogs, despite their small gene pools and numerous health issues. But mutts have all the doggedness we love about dogs, and National Mutt Day is all about getting them the love and attention they deserve.
How to Celebrate National Mutt Day
1. Adopt a mixed breed dog
Your local shelter is just itching to meet you! There are a ton of great dogs out there who haven’t gotten adopted just because they don’t have the right pedigree. But you can do your part to change all that. Getting any dog is a big responsibility, but a mixed breed will likely be healthier, happier, better behaved, and live longer than a purebred of the same age. National Mutt Day is the perfect excuse to bring home your next best friend.
2. Donate to your local shelter
Not in the position to adopt a mutt? You can still help out your local shelter with a $5 donation. Your money goes to buy food for the shelter, medicine for the pets, and to keep the shelter’s doors open. Every dollar counts, so you can really make a difference in the lives of all the dogs at the shelter. You can make your donation in loving memory of a departed best friend, or if you don’t want to donate money, you can donate food, toys, or contact your local shelter to see what other supplies they need.
3. Volunteer to help out
If donations aren’t your style, you can always volunteer at your local shelter to make an impact. Shelters need volunteers to befriend the dogs, play with them, and take them for walks. A few hours of your time can make a big difference in the happiness of the dogs at your shelter, and happy dogs stand a better chance to get adopted. Take your love of dogs and turn it into a force for positive change by stepping up, helping out, and uplifting the spirits of man’s best friends.
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