Today is National Homeless Animals Day. The International Society for Animal Rights first held the day in 1992 to raise awareness about cat and dog overpopulation. (Their mission is to fight animal overpopulation and end the suffering animals endure because of it.) Since then it’s become a tradition to hold it on the third Saturday of August.
With the exception of Budly, all the rest of my dogs —Mackie, then Tiger and Murphy –were homeless dogs rescued from shelters, or in Mackie’s case, from a vet who found him wandering the streets.
My life with cats isn’t as extensive as my life with dogs, but every cat that’s ever claimed me came from the streets. (In Tabby’s case, I literally found her on the street!)
Obviously you can’t go around collecting every stray off the street today (well, heck, if you’re really that ambitious and can care for them all once you find them then I say go for it!), but perhaps you want to show your solidarity with the ISAR and sympathy for homeless animals. Here’s some suggestions for how to do it:
• Sign ISAR’s online petition for a United Nations Spay/Neuter Postage Stamp.
• Participate in ISAR’s online candlelight vigil. Leave a message, share a prayer, or relate a personal anecdote about stray animals that have affected you.
• Shop the ISAR online store. Proceeds go to helping the ISAR in their campaign against overpopulation.
• Visit your local animal shelter. Maybe you’re ready to welcome a new little one into your life. Adopt! Maybe you’re not and don’t have that much time. Volunteer! Also see if they are holding any vigils of their own for National Homeless Animals Day and participate in their event. Or ask about other ways you can help.
• Light a candle on your own. Maybe you’re not into group vigils. That’s fine. Nothing says you can’t light a candle and hold one in your own home.
• Request a Vigil Packet. Maybe you didn’t have enough time to plan anything and participate this year. The ISAR’s packet will tell you all you need to know about organizing a vigil for next year.