August 19th is International Homeless Animals Day. This is one cause that really hits close to the heart for many of us. According to the World Health Organization, there are as many as 600 million stray dogs and cats in the world. While no one person can help them all, raising awareness and turning the spotlight on this issue can make a huge impact. An Aurora, CO vet offers some information on International Homeless Animals Day—or IHAD—in this article.
History
The first IHAD took place back in 1992, and was spearheaded by the International Society For Animal Rights. The awareness event’s mission was—and is—to “halt the euthanasia and suffering of unwanted companion animals.” It’s the only worldwide event aimed at helping homeless pets.
Events And Activities
International Homeless Animals Day always takes place on the third Saturday in August. This ‘pawesome’ event is now marked by many activities and awareness drives. These may range from adoption open houses, low cost spay/neuter clinics, dog walks, pet supply drives, ceremonies, and speeches. However, these events aren’t limited to veterinary clinics and shelters. All sorts of businesses are getting involved, from art galleries to sports teams and youth clubs.
A Rising Wave Of Awareness
As of 2022, IHAD was recognized in 85 countries. Talk about a positive change! 2022 also proved to be a milestone in that it was the first time a president—Hungary’s Katalin Novák—promoted the event publicly. Even Oreo Cookies are joining in! The popular cookie brand ran a campaign in Dubai for IHAD after discovering that Oreo is a very popular name for black and white pets. They put out a limited-edition version of their (delicious) cookies. The packaging featured cat, dog, and bunny houses, and included QR codes that linked to a website which featured adoptable pets.
How To Help
Do you want to get involved? One of the best things that you can do is to ensure that your own pets have been spayed and neutered, and are wearing microchips. You can also find events to support, either in person or online. Of course, the ultimate way to join in would be to adopt a furry friend. Many of our former patients were homeless once! Just think carefully first: after all, adoption is furever.
Please contact us, your local Aurora, CO pet clinic, for your pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here for you!
