There are thousands of dogs waiting to be adopted
(Picture: Shutterstock)Today is National Dog Adoption Day, a day that aims to spread positive messages about dog adoption, promoting the benefits of adopting a dog from one of the UK’s many animal shelters.
The consequences of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis have resulted in families giving up their pets and fewer being willing to adopt.
There are thousands of dogs across UK shelters that are patiently waiting for families to welcome them into their homes.
And, there isn’t a better day to do it than National Dog Adoption Day.
What is National Dog Adoption Day?
National Dog Adoption Day takes place on October 25 each year, with animal charities and shelters coming together to promote adoption.
They also ask for the public to support them by using the hashtag #NationalDogAdoptionDay across social media platforms and sharing their dog adoption stories.
The RSPCA launched an Adoptober campaign after new data revealed that adoption levels have decreased, while the number of dogs and cats in shelters has increased.
In 2021, the organisation found that rehoming had dropped by 8 per cent and shelters’ animal intake had risen by 8.4 per cent.
Dr Samantha Gaines, RSPCA’s pet welfare expert, said: “It’s really concerning to see that animals are staying in our care for longer and that fewer are being rehomed year on year.
“Unfortunately, we believe we’re really starting to see the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.”
She added: “For those who are able to bring a pet into their home, we’re urging them to really consider adopting rather than buying. Many of our animals will already be neutered, vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms – making it much more cost-effective – and we’ll work with them to make sure they find their perfect match.”
