Bloggers Uniting To Promote Dog Rescue!

Today I'm taking a break from MMGM to talk to you about the plight of abandoned and abused animals. When I was researching for my book Madison Morgan:When Dogs Blog I became painfully aware this problem. So today I wanted to write about some of the things that I've learned.

“His name is not wild dog anymore, but the first friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always.” --Rudyard Kipling

1. Shelters are overcrowded.There are 80 million dogs owned in the U.S. alone.

2. Dogs end up in shelters because pet owners don't realize how much responsibility caring for a pet can be.

3. While there are plenty of cases of blatant pet abuse, many times animals suffer because owners either don't understand what's required or don't have the resources to properly care for a pet.

4. Once the puppy becomes a dog, pet owners get frustrated because they don't know how to train their dogs.

5. There are still puppy mills operating around the U.S. and they are now advertising online.

6. Puppy mills are places where dogs are crammed into small cages, forced to have litter after litter and then are thrown away like an old pair of shoes.

These are just a few of the issues. I believe it is our responsibility to care for the animals in our world.

If you're looking for ways that you could get involved check out my July 15th post. Be sure to check out all the other bloggers that are participating.

Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue!!

THE CHALLENGE

On July 15th, as bloggers and blog readers, please help us publicize Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue, a special online global event held on July 23, 2012 stressing the importance of dog adoption. BTC4animals.com is proud to partner with Blog Catalog, Dog Rescue Success and YOU to harness a global online community to help save the lives of dogs in need.

Come join us!

TO BLOG THE CHANGE

1.) Grab the badge.
Paste the code from BtC4animals.com‘s sidebar to your blog’s sidebar. This lets folks know you’re taking part and how they can too. Copy any of the event images above too!

2.) Tell others!
Post this to Facebook and Twitter:


SPREAD THE WORD – BLOGGERS UNITE FOR DOG RESCUE – Promote dog adoption on July 23rd! http://bit.ly/pO7dZp #BtC4A

3.) Post your blog entry on July 15 in preparation for July 23rd.

4.) Add your link on BtC4animals.com.
On July 15 at 12:01 AM EST, a link list will appear below. Add your blog’s name and post URL – not your main domain – so others can find your great message.

5.) Share the good will.
Read listings throughout the day and offer help or encouragement where you can. Remember, a kind word can make a difference! Share your favorite posts on your favorite social network (Twitter hashtag #BtC4A).

Want to do more?
Click “Get the Code” at the end of the list and paste it at the bottom of your blog post. While not required, this places the list on your site too, generating traffic to and from your page for the sake of the animals your post supports.

ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY:
Blogging about a Dog Rescue related topic on July 23rd, 2012
Adopting a companion: http://theshelterpetproject.org/
Donating to a local dog rescue organization
Fostering a dog
Volunteering at a local shelter or rescue organization
Sharing this post across all forms of social media and encourage others to paticipate!

Check Out These Facts

Millions of dogs are euthanized each year because not enough people are adopting dogs through local rescue groups and shelters. Instead, many people purchase from pet stores not knowing that most come from puppy mills – read more at: http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/puppy-mills/puppy-scams-cons.aspx: Additionally, many people underestimate the the time and dedication it takes to become a responsible pet owner, and surrender their dogs, or worse.

Local dog rescue organizations consist of volunteers who help by fostering dogs in their own homes while they search for permanent placement, taking dogs to adoption events, fundraising to cover medical and boarding costs to name a few. Most rescue groups do not have the luxury of employees or people dedicated to promoting their efforts on a large scale. This is where Bloggers can give these unsung heroes and homeless dogs a voice.

As their own resources permit, these groups work with local animal shelters in an effort to place adoptable dogs that are scheduled for euthanization. The sad fact is that many dogs die every day before they find a “forever home”. The commercials you see on television about neglect and abuse are very real. Consumers can literally save a dog’s life simply by choosing adoption over a pet store or breeder purchase.

Per the HSUS, “Nationwide, only about 20 percent of dogs in homes come from shelters—the rest come from other sources. It would only take a relatively small increase in the adoption rate along with a modest reduction in the birth rate to go a long way toward solving the problem of euthanizing healthy and treatable dogs in many communities.” We all have the ability to make a difference in the world by taking action. Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue participants have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of dogs in need.

RESOURCES

Learn more about puppy mills: http://www.aspca.org/Fight-Animal-Cruelty/puppy-mills

Need help for your rescue group?:

http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/resourcelibrary/adoptionsindex.cfm

Deaf Dog Rescources: http://www.catatonic.freeservers.com/penny/deafdogs.html

Dog Trainers: http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx