Candlelight vigils, spay and neuter clinics, and a variety of educational events are part of National Homeless Animal Day. The event has its roots in International Homeless Animal Day, which falls on the 3rd Saturday of August each year.
Pet lovers can even send an American Greetings ecard to remind their friends to spay, neuter and rescue homeless pets.
With the rise in unemployment and home foreclosures, many pet owners find themselves unable to care for their pets. Feral cats and dogs left to reproduce and pet owners who do not spay or neuter their pets add to the problem.
Pet homelessness isn’t limited to cats and dogs, however. In Texas, horse owners hard hit by recession and drought have been abandoning or giving up their horses because they are unable to feed them. Horse rescue shelters in Texas and around the U.S. struggle to keep up with the need for their services.
What's Driving This Trend
- National Homeless Animal Day
- National Homeless Animal Day has inspired a variety of events intended to raise awareness and provide solutions to pet homelessness.
- Spay and Neuter Clinics
- Spay and neuter clinics have become increasingly important as a proactive solution to pet homelessness.
- Candlelight Vigils for Pets
- Candlelight vigils have become a popular way to honor homeless pets and raise awareness for their plight.
Who This Affects Most
- Pet Care
- Pet care industries have an opportunity to provide resources and education for pet owners regarding spay and neuter and animal homelessness.
- Non-profit
- Non-profit animal rescue organizations have an opportunity to increase support and funding for spay and neuter clinics and animal rescue efforts.
- Technology
- Technology industries can provide solutions for pet owners facing financial hardship, such as low-cost spay and neuter options or mobile animal clinics.
