Honoring National Dog Rescue Day

Choosing a new dog for your family requires extensive research and planning. Paramount to any other item on the decision spreadsheet is choice of personality, size or any other canine characteristic that appeals to you or fits a need. Are you interested in a working dog, a guard dog, a couch companion, a child’s pet, a cross-breed or a purebred dog? The next item on the list goes hand in hand with the research: Where do you want to find your dog?

A heartwarming option is to adopt of a dog from a rescue group or shelter, or, as some would say, find a dog that adopts you into his world – especially in anticipation of National Dog Rescue Day, observed annually on May 20. There are many important reasons to adopt or foster a rescue dog. However, even if you have no room at this time for a dog, consider options for honoring and celebrating the day.

The Origin of National Rescue Dog Day

Rescue dogs are those that have been adopted or are under foster care from a rescue organization or animal shelter. Because 3.3 million dogs are placed in U.S. shelters annually, humane education program Trails That Teach, Inc. founded National Dog Rescue Day. According to the organization, the day serves three purposes:

• Call attention to the overwhelming need for adoption placement.
• Promote humane education for young children.
• Encourage spaying and neutering dogs.

The Primary Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog

Your decision to care for a sheltered dog may save a life. Since approximately 650,000 dogs are euthanized each year, your taking this steps is, by far, the most significant way to celebrate the spirit of National Rescue Day. No moment better encapsulated this spirit than when, during the current Covid-19 Pandemic, a West Palm Beach animal shelter saw every one of its dogs adopted for the first time ever, an event that made international news.

Your adopting means giving a dog a second chance. Not only may you be keeping an animal alive, you are providing a loving and supportive, safe space to a likely abused or neglected animal. While it is possible a family places a dog simply because they and the dog have a conflicting temperament, too often dogs in shelters are abandoned or mistreated animals.

The Importance of Fostering

While outright adoption might seem ideal, fostering is a valuable alternative, depending on the facility options. Fostering involves caring for a dog until it is placed in a permanent home. The reasons a dog needs foster care vary, but can include the following:

• The dog is too young yet for adoption.
• The dog needs special attention because it has been traumatized or abused.
• The dog needs to be socialized or re-socialized within a calm environment.
• The dog’s personality is not yet fully known to the shelter or group.
• The shelter is running out of room to house incoming dogs.

Organizations that have fostering models will provide assistance and instruction to support you. For example, they will recommend safe stimulation toys, as well as list appropriate essentials, such as dog foods, for your dog type.

Benefits to You and Others

For the majority of people, a rescue dog fosters a unique form of bonding. A dog’s devotion to his human companion is unconditional, once trust is earned. This faith comes from the work you put into fostering it, effort that brings a sense of accomplishment. In most cases, your companion will also provide a sense of security as she becomes increasingly devoted to her new home and human pack.

Consequently, children who grow up with dogs learn compassion and empathy. Imagine the value gleaned from humanely caring for a vulnerable animal, as well as the lessons in responsibility gained from learning the proper ways to accomplish this. Start out by teaching your child about filling the food and water bowls twice-a-day, then progress to walking and training as necessary.

Ways to Honor by Supporting

As mentioned, adopting and fostering are the best means to honor National Rescue Dog Day. But you can help in so many other ways as well. If you can, make a monetary contribution to a shelter. If you do not have the financial means to do so, perhaps you have dog-related items around the house that can be repurposed and donated instead: blankets, treats, collars, leashes, child gates and appropriate toys. Of course, these items should be clean and in good condition.

If you have neither the money nor any items to pass along, consider giving your time. Volunteering is a vastly rewarding and endlessly helpful way to contribute. You can take dogs on walks, clean cages, provide comfort and lend a hand in any ways needed. Even if you are not fully comfortable around dogs, you likely have valuable strengths: Be a greeter at events; make phone calls to solicit funds; and promote using social media.

Ways to Honor by Celebrating

Whether you appreciate the dog you already share a home with, or you simply want to recognize the dog-rescue movement, take a moment to commemorate the Day. Use the hash tag #nationalrescuedogday to share stories, pictures, videos or any related tidbits. Talk to friends and neighbors about the importance of adoption and fostering. Send a gift to any friends who have rescued dogs. Devote a full day to bonding with your dog, rather than just fitting in walks and feedings around your schedule.

May 20 is a significant day in the canine-companion community. However, supporting rescue dogs should not be a one-time deal. Take a moment to learn as much as possible about rescue needs, and explore ways you can be a part of this important cause.