Welcome to the last day of April! We have three important holidays to celebrate on April 30th: National Animal Advocacy Day, National Therapy Animal Day, and National Adopt a Shelter Dog Day.
On National Animal Advocacy Day, Recommit to Being Their Voice
Animal Advocacy Day serves to remind us all of the millions of neglected, abused and mistreated animals across the world. While we have made great strides in many areas of animal protection in our own country and, perhaps to a lesser extent around the world, we must maintain our vigilance.
For example, just recently legislation was introduced into Congress by Representative Steve King (R-Iowa) (referred to as the “King Amendment,” otherwise known as the “Protect Interstate Commerce Act,”) that would have taken from states the right to impose agricultural standards on products brought in from out of state and that would have prevented your state from ever setting its own health, safety and welfare standards and applying them to imported agricultural products produced elsewhere. In doing so it immediately would have rolled back laws in 8 states that forbid cruel farm animal confinement, rescinded California’s Foie Gras ban, horse slaughter and puppy mill prohibitions, and have nullified ballot initiatives where voters have spoken to demand better treatment for the animals. The King Amendment would, according to the Washington Times, “have far-reaching implications, nullifying a large spectrum of state and local laws concerning everything from livestock welfare to GMO labeling, restrictions on pesticide and antibiotic use, horse slaughter, child labor, fire safe cigarettes, shark finning, Christmas trees, and even the sale of cat and dog meat. (source)
The King amendment inevitably would have created a “race to the bottom” whereby the most abusive and dangerous rules in the country would become de facto national standards––since producers “doing it on the cheap” in one state always would undercut the prices of domestic producers in those states that care more about public health and animal welfare.
The effect could have been cataclysmic for animal protection in this country. The ADLF (Animal Legal Defense Fund) and others spearheaded campaigns to help kill this potentially devastating bill. Thanks to the vigilance of animal advocates across the country, enough pressure was exerted that the amendment was rejected.
However, we must remain watchful, knowing that these types of bills can still reappear. Animals are vulnerable and have no ability to petition Congress when they are being hurt. It is our responsibility to see that all animals are protected to the best of our abilities.
On National Therapy Animal Day, we recognize and appreciate the many animals who make our lives easier and more joyful.
As we move from encouraging better treatment for all animals, we recognize National Therapy Animal Day and acknowledge all of the exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human companions to bring comfort and healing to those in need. Therapy animals and their handlers can be found helping people of all ages in a variety of settings including hospitals, pediatric care units, schools, and assisted living facilities.
Goals of National Therapy Animal Day:
· Recognize and honor therapy animals
· Raise awareness and educate the public about the role therapy animals play in enhancing the health and well-being of humans
· Honor the thousands of dedicated handlers (the human members of therapy animal teams) who volunteer their time and compassion during visits
What is a Therapy Dog?
Therapy Dogs are one of the most common therapy animals. They are canines trained specifically to provide affection, comfort and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and are defined but not covered or protected under the Federal Housing Act or Americans with Disabilities Act. While they do not have public access to all buildings, typically these dogs are granted rights by most public service facilities.
For those unclear as to the differences between ‘therapy,’ ‘service,’ and ‘working’ dogs, consult the article entitled: A Support Dog By Any Other Name May Be A ‘Therapy’ Or ‘Service’ Or ‘Working’ Dog.
The Day’s Purpose
National Therapy Animal Day was created by Pet Partners to recognize all of the exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human companions to bring comfort and healing to those in need.
#NationalTherapyAnimalDay
National Adopt a Shelter Dog Day
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is observed each year on April 30. This day was created as a way to raise awareness for thousands of pets that are waiting for (and needing) adoption from the shelters. Perhaps this is a perfect time to expand your family by four furry paws! According to the ASPCA, shelter adoption rates have been steadily rising since 2011, which is great news for animals and humans alike. From more shelters embracing a streamlined open adoption process to foster programs and coverage of basic vet needs, adoption is easier than ever.
How To Observe
If you can care for a pet, consider adopting. Celebrate National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day by sharing pictures of your adopted pet on social media using #AdoptAShelterPetDay.
We salute animal lovers who are doing their part to move pets out of shelters and into happy forever homes. Not only does adopting save an animal’s life, but it also improves your own health and happiness in myriad ways.
Share your shelter dog adoption story using the hashtag #WhyIAdopt on Twitter and Instagram, tag @huffpostpartnerstudio and we’ll feature the best photos and posts right here in a gallery sure to inspire others to adopt.
Why is this day so important?
Every year, millions and millions of animals, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and other domesticated species, end up in shelters for various reasons. The reasons people give for abandoning their pets vary, from unwanted litters to no financial capacity, to not enough education on how to take care of that certain animal. No matter the reason, the animal shelters are always full.
In the United States, there are no government regulations on shelters and most of the counties that care to bother to regulate them do so on their own jurisdiction. It is estimated that there are around 5000 shelters in the US.
In Europe, there was a survey conducted on shelters, and of all 30 countries included in the survey, almost all of them were running “kill shelters.” The countries that are more humane with their animals are: Italy, Greece, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Here are some reasons why you should consider adopting a shelter dog or cat instead of buying one:
· because they always have more love and snuggles to give
· because you need a friend for life
· because if you are an outdoors person, hiking and biking is always more fun with a four-legged buddy
· because dogs and cats help to reduce blood pressure and anxieties
· because every person needs a fluffy companion to share (take over) their bed
· because throwing a ball on your own is just weird
· because your furry friend will always be there to listen to your problems and will tell nobody
· because you can’t tell us that there is a thing as “too much love”
· because you will never regret saving a life!
How can you celebrate this day (rather than the obvious way by adopting)
· contact your local animal shelter and offer to volunteer. Shelters always need a helping hand.
· be a part of an online sharing platform for animals searching for a new home. Share some photos and stories with your friends, and you never know — maybe one of them will adopt
· if you have already adopted a pet from an animal shelter, share your story to inspire others
· follow the hashtags #WhyIAdopt and #Iloveveterinary to see other people stories
· ADOPT!
We hope you will celebrate April 30th with us: three special ‘holidays’ to celebrate the significant and loving part animals play in our lives.
