10 Surprising Facts About Animal Shelters -

Everyone is a sucker for an adorable puppy-face or playful kitten, but adopting animals from shelters not only scores you a new BFF but also has tons of other cool perks, too!

Read on for the ridiculously cute truth about animal shelters.

1. Twenty-five percent of dogs in animal shelters are purebreds!

If you have your heart set on a certain breed, chances are that you can find that breed at your local animal shelter!

2. You can adopt more than dogs and cats!

Many animal shelters have rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, and guinea pigs—and some even have turtles, chickens, and reptiles—all waiting for their forever home. 

3. They’re on the cutting edge!

Labradoodles and cockapoos are sooo 2011. Looking for the coolest combos out there? Your local animal shelter is flooded with loads of adorable mixed-breed dogs and cats who are hoping for the chance to be your BFF. Mutts rule!

4. You can save $$—and your shoes!

Puppies and kittens are adorbs, but they’re a LOT of work–not to mention expensive. We love shopping but if you want to save your shoes (and your homework and your little bro’s toys) from becoming chew toys and your dad’s favorite armchair from becoming a scratching post, opt for an equally cute and lovable adult dog or cat who’s outgrown that awkward stage.

5. Someone else has done all the work!

Many dogs and cats in animal shelters are turned in by guardians who simply can’t take care of them anymore, so it’s easy to find plenty of sweet animals who are already house-trained and friendly and who may even know a few tricks!

6. Helping animals in shelters = FREE HUGS!

© iStock.com/Dreamframer

Got the love but not the time to play with cats all day? Just volunteer or foster! Not only will you be able to meet loads of adorable animals, you’ll also play a role in finding them forever homes. The time you spend socializing them will help make them more adoptable, and you will get lots of love in the process. WIN-WIN!

7. Animals from shelters won’t break your ♥!

All animals in shelters get a full vet check so you’ll know exactly what’s up with your new furry friend. No heartbreaking hidden diseases, such as parvovirus, which often affects animals from puppy mills.

8. Animal shelters help more than you think!

It’s common practice for animal shelters to spay or neuter animals as part of the adoption process. So you’re not just saving one animal—you’re saving the hundreds of animals one unfixed cat or dog can produce in his or her lifetime.

9. Animal shelters provide a built-in support network!

Workers and volunteers at animal shelters know the animals well, and they’ll help you find your perfect match. They know each animal’s history, what games are his or her fave to play, and what cuddles he or she likes best. Some animal shelters even offer classes to get to know your new furry friend!

10. Animals from shelters have bigger ♥s!

Ever had a crummy day until a friend did something nice for you? Think about how grateful you were to have that person in your life. Now imagine that you’ve spent your whole life in crummy situations, like some of the animals in shelters have. YOU can be that ray of sunshine by giving an animal in a shelter a loving home. He or she will pay you back in love tenfold!

In short, animal shelters RULE! When it comes to adding animals to your life, the message is clear: Adopt, don’t buy!

SHARE THIS WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS
AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

Read more: http://www.peta2.com/blog/animal-shelter-facts/#ixzz3fgx0CMep

These Household Dogs Gave Up Everything To Serve Their Country In WWII

"The bond between dogs and humans is at least 30,000 years old. Dogs have helped humans with everything from hunting to herding, and most importantly, companionship. Although dogs have long since served in armies dating back to ancient times, the U.S. military didn’t start actively using dog soldiers until the early 1940s. The military realized that dogs could do things that humans could not, like sniff out land mines.

Source: Wikimedia

When the U.S. was attacked at Pearl Harbor in 1941, the US military only had a few soldier dogs, which were Huskies stationed in Alaska.

Source: Northlight Media

Because the military realized how helpful pups could be right around the time that the US was attacked, the American military was in a bit of a pickle to find and train some canine soldiers. To get the 125,000 canine soldiers the war effort needed, the military sent out a call to Americans to loan their dogs to serve beside American troops.

Source: This American Life

This was a time when Americans did everything they possibly could to help the military. Rationing food, donating scrap metal, growing victory gardens– and loaning the family pet for service.

Source: PetMD

RELATED

Surprise Reunion Of Bomb-Sniffing Dog And Marine Moves Crowd To Tears

These household pups were trained to be sentries, scouts, messengers, or mine detectives. The military also taught them things like perfect obedience and to attack when ordered and grab a trigger arm if a gun was around. When people volunteered their pups, the military warned folks that their dogs might come home with a different personality– they said to not be surprised if their dog came home “a killer.”

Source: This American Life

Throughout the dogs’ tours of duty, some handlers and trainers sent letters home to their owners for Christmas and to inform them of their dog’s performance throughout the war.

Source: This American Life

The above reads:

“Rex, a scout dog, gave warning of the presence of Japanese near a Marine position during the night of the seventh day of the operation. At daybreak the Japanese attacked our position. As a result of ‘Rex’s’ warning, the Marines were prepared for the attack of the Japanese and were successful in repelling it. ‘Rex’s’ action was undoubtedly instrumental in saving the lives of many Marines.”

Sadly, like many human soldiers, some dog soldiers didn’t come home.

Source: This American Life

But many did. Newspapers at the time publicized that war-trained dogs would be “deprogrammed” before being discharged with lots of petting and cuddling.

Source: This American Life

Even though the dogs didn’t know what the war was for, they did what they’d been asked to do. As always.

Source: This American Life

These four-legged civilians helped end a global and deadly war. They came from the back yards of small towns and big cities and exhibited the blind loyalty, courage, and intelligence that only a dog can possess– forever deepening the intricate bond between our two species.

For more info on this story, listen to the incredible podcast on This American Life.

Featured image from The Telegraph. Article by: Stacie Grissom

A Cow Walks Up To A Man And Dog And Does The SWEETEST Thing Ever!

I thought this was so cute, I just had to share it! :D


A Cow Walks Up To A Man And Dog And Does The SWEETEST Thing Ever!

When you think of cute and cuddly pets, cows don’t normally come to mind. But this bovine beauty is here to change your perception of “adorable” forever. She’s perfectly content to snuggle right up to her human and canine best friend, and what happens once they all get comfy together might have melted my heart into a puddle!





Read More Here!       Article credit: Averi Clements