Man’s best friend is celebrated on March 23, officially designated as National Puppy Day, a day to celebrate unconditional love and enthusiasm for every shape, size, and breed.
The national celebration was established in 2006 by Pet Lifestyle Expert, Animal Behaviorist, and Author Colleen Paige to bring national awareness to the number of dogs and puppies that need rescue every year.
She first brought adoption awareness on a national level with National Dog Day on August 26 and National Cat Day on October 29.
According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. Some of these dogs come with litters of puppies.
“If you’re seeking a puppy to start your furry family, check the shelters first. When these abandoned and abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home, and their potential is limitless,” the National Day Calendar reads.
In early February, the Best Friends Animal Society issued an alert on a national crisis in shelters nationwide, estimating over 100,000 dogs and cats waiting for adoption nationwide. They also found about 60,000 more dogs and 40,000 more cats in American shelters awaiting adoption than in January of last year.
During the ongoing pandemic, the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility operated with reduced staff. Shelters face overcrowding due to the pandemic, and several factors include the lack of staffing, the lack of information, the lack of information in communities, and the number of animals going into shelters surpassing adoption rates.
Members of the public may schedule an appointment with the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility online at https://www.chulavistaca.gov, or by dialing 619-476-247. The site may be switched to Spanish.
To learn more about what fostering entails, visit www.bestfriends.org or for general Spanish resources: www.salvaunamascota.org.
