October is coming to an end, meaning that Adopt A Shelter Dog Month is officially over. For those unaware, the celebration was launched by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) 40 years ago to bring awareness to pups in shelters and rescues. According to the ASPCA, over 3 million dogs are placed in shelters annually, meaning many furry friends need a forever home. For this reason, here at Woof Republic, we believe that Adopt A Shelter Dog Month should be celebrated all year round by helping dogs in need. 

Here are some ways dog-lovers can help canine companions who do not have a permanent home. 

Adopt A Dog

If you are able, consider adopting a dog from your local rescue or shelter. Now, we know it’s super tempting to buy a dog from a breeder, but there are plenty of pups who are available for adoption. That being said, please do not rush into adopting a dog. Instead, take your time and search websites like PetFinder to see if any canine companions would be suitable for your lifestyle. Once you find a pup who you believe would thrive in your environment, contact the shelter and meet the furry friend in person. If all goes swimmingly, you should be able to become the dog’s new pup parent.

Now, adopting a dog is a tricky business. Sometimes you may not meet certain requirements the rescue has deemed necessary to adopt. If that occurs, don’t feel discouraged. Here are some helpful tips that will help increase your chances of being able to adopt a precious pooch.

Foster An Adoptable Pet

For those unable to adopt, consider fostering. When you become a dog foster parent, you are saving lives. By crashing at your pad, the pooch will get an adequate amount of socialization and feel less stressed out in an environment outside of the kennel. In essence, the pooch can be rehabilitated and, in turn, be a step closer to finding his furever home. You are lessening his chance of staying in an animal shelter for the rest of his life.

Advocate for Misunderstood Breeds 

Some dog breeds, like Pit Bulls, are more likely to be in shelters due to negative stereotypes. For this reason, you can potentially save a life by advocating for pits on social media and in your everyday life.

Volunteer At Shelters 

A wonderful way to spend your time is volunteering at dog shelters. When I was a college student, I would spend every Saturday at a local dog shelter. While I was not an official volunteer, I would just play with dogs for hours on end, instead of doing my homework, which explains my unimpressive GPA.

It was some of the most fun I had as a college student, and I highly recommend doing something similar.

Donate Items 

If you have limited time and are unable to volunteer, no worries! Most shelters and rescues appreciate donations, financial or otherwise. We recommend calling your local shelter to see if they are currently in need of any specific item.

Woof Republic offers a lot of great content for pet parents bringing home a rescue dog. For more thoughts, check out our feature on Rent.com.