Celebrate Adopt-A-Dog-Month Every Month

By Lorraine Houston

Although this should be applicable to every month of the year, October has been ‘Adopt a Homeless Dog’ month for as long as I can remember. It was actually initiated and designated by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in an effort to bring awareness to the plight and number of dogs in shelters awaiting adoption. Also, it was (and still is) a way to highlight and promote the advantages of adopting an adult dog.

Most adult dogs are house trained, past the high-level chewing stage, have some ‘life experience’ and in terms of size and physical appearance, “what you see is what you get”. Typically, the majority of dogs are victims of human circumstance or a life style change. They become displaced when their ‘guardians’ make the decision to end the relationship because they are moving, have no time, are having a baby, divorcing or experiencing financial difficulties to name just a few. In some cases the owner has died or been moved to a health care facility. Some people acquire a dog without much forethought and soon realize that dogs need training, exercise, socialization, time and commitment. We don’t ever know for sure what kind of life they had, what associations they have made or their full past history, but like any new relationship you need to get to know each other. With time, patience, coaching, easy–to-read body language and helpful direction, your newly-adopted dog will have you understanding him/her in no time.

Thankfully, over the last decade or so, more and more people are deciding to adopt a dog from a shelter or reputable rescue organization. To those who have, kudos to you all. I’m sure I could fill this entire newspaper with testimonials and stories from people who have opened heart and home to a discarded, stray or abandoned canine. In fact, perhaps that is a future feature; let’s get back to that later.

However, this time in honour of Adopt-a-Dog month, I would like to focus the 31 days of October (or any month) on ways to make a difference in the life of a homeless dog. Let’s assume that adopting a dog is a given and the best possible way to help. I fully admit to pilfering many of these grand ideas from the internet and polling our rescue network for their input, so please forgive my lack of creativeness, but these are too good not to pass along. (Suggested donations, fundraisers and volunteer tasks would apply to the shelter or rescue organization you support).

Day 1: Donate a leash, collar, harness, head collar, toys
Day 2: Volunteer to walk dogs
Day 3: Offer to fund the spay or neuter of a dog
Day 4: Donate food and/or treats
Day 5: Offer to transport dogs (rescue groups are often desperately in need of drivers to get dogs from point A to point B)
Day 6: Donate a phone calling card or gas card
Day 7: Bake and donate a batch of homemade dog cookies
Day 8: Offer your area of expertise/talent (art, web design, sewing, administrative, pet first aid or grooming)
Day 9: Become a foster parent
Day 10: Offer to take digital photographs of the dogs who need re-homing
Day 11: Donate an obedience training program certificate
Day 12: Donate a grooming gift certificate or offer to assist with grooming needs
Day 13: Offer to run a food drive at a local grocery store, your office or through your child’s school
Day 14: Educate friends, family and colleagues about puppy mills and pet store puppy purchases
Day 15: Get involved in supporting dog-related legislation which strongly opposes laws that are unfounded and unfair
Day 16: Offer to organize a garage sale, walkathon, dog/car wash day, dress down Friday or other fundraiser
Day 17: Design and create an informative newsletter
Day 18: Offer to be the web master
Day 19: Spread the word that shelters and rescue organizations have exceptional dogs who need responsible, loving homes
Day 20: Throw a party! Organize a corn roast, a hockey night, karaoke, bowling or jazz night. Get creative on how to raise funds.
Day 21: Offer to conduct home visits for potential adopters
Day 22: Sponsor a homeless shelter/rescue dog, become a member or monthly donor
Day 23: Donate a gift coupon/certificate from a pet supply store
Day 24: Get involved with dog/child safety education
Day 25: Donate blankets, towels or baby gates
Day 26: Knit or crochet a dog sweater
Day 27: Donate stamps, paper, envelopes or Canadian Tire money
Day 28: Organize a “Pet Picture” day
Day 29: Donate laundry soap, bleach, paper towels or trash bags
Day 30: Offer to purchase microchips or engraved ID tags
Day 31: Report animal neglect and abuse

This list is far from being complete. Come up with your own ideas and pitch them to the rescue group or shelter you would like to assist. Helping hands offer endless possibilities. As the saying goes ‘Saving just one dog won't change the world ...but, surely, the world will change for that one dog’.

Lorraine Houston is a feature writer for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! and an evaluator for Therapeutic Paws of Canada and St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs. She is a member of the Etobicoke Humane Society’s dog adoption team and the director of Speaking of Dogs, an organization devoted to education, outreach and rescue. A Maxwell Award winner from Dog Writers Assoc. of America, Lorraine lives in Don Mills with her husband, two sons and family dogs. She may be contacted at lhh4dogs@rogers.com or through www.speakingofdogs.com