It’s National Pet Month!
National Pet Month aims to promote the benefits of pet ownership, support pet adoption, and make people aware of the benefits of pets for people and people for pets. It is also good for increasing public awareness of services available from professionals who work with animals and raising awareness of the role, value and contribution to society of working companion animals.
Here are just some of the many reasons to adopt a pet:
1.You’re saving a life
By adopting from a shelter, you are providing an animal with the second chance they deserve. Many have been rescued from horrific circumstances such as cruelty, neglect and abandonment, or quite simply their owners were no longer able to look after them due to illness or a change in situation. Shelter staff work tirelessly to nurse animals back to health, rehabilitate disturbed animals and do everything they possibly can to ensure they are prepared to go to a new home. Sadly, not all of them are as fortunate. Some shelters have to euthanise due to lack of space, meaning many healthy animals lose their lives. By rehoming a pet you can give an animal that has been abandoned through no fault of their own a loving, stable home, and help to stop overpopulation
2.You’ll save money
Shelters often microchip, spay, neuter and vaccinate the animals that come into their care. This saves you a lot of money because you don’t have to pay for the procedures yourself and it ensures the pet you are taking home is healthy. Also, the prices of adopting a pet from a shelter are often a lot lower than the rates charged by breeders.
3.You’re helping to wipe out other sources of et distribution like 'puppy farms’ and pet shops
A puppy farm, or mill, is the illegal practice of breeding puppies for the sole purpose of maximising profit, without any regard to the dogs’ health or wellbeing. Dogs at puppy farms are forced to breed several times to their detriment and they are often kept in terrible conditions without basic necessities. People who run such places are not concerned with producing healthy dogs, so they can be born with severe problems that emerge over time. The dogs usually don’t receive any veterinary care, and will often be destroyed once they can no longer reproduce. Additionally, dogs at pet shops are often products of puppy farms. Adopting from a shelter aids in stopping dogs from being subjected to such horrific circumstances, because rather than funding this illegal trade you will be rehoming a pet from somewhere reputable that supports animal welfare.
4.Pets help our health and make us happier
Various studies have shown that a having pet can elongate your life, whilst improving your overall happiness and health. It also helps people with depression, stress, anxiety and many other ailments. The affectionate and loyal nature of dogs as pack animals that form close relationships with their owners can help sufferers of depression, who may feel like they don’t have anybody else. Stroking your pet can reduce your blood pressure and stress levels, and playing with them can increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine your body produces, making you feel calm and relaxed. Walking the pet is a way to exercise and provides sufferers of anxiety and depression with a reason to leave the house. It also creates opportunities for socialising with other dog walkers. The animal you have helped through rehoming can help you.
5.Children can benefit
Children can be taught valuable life skills through pet ownership, such as the importance of maintaining responsibilities. Rehoming a pet will also encourage empathy by making them think about how they have helped to give an unwanted animal a loving home. Pets can help children with separation anxiety and provide them with security, as they can be safe in the knowledge that someone will always be there. As well as this, they can be a loving companion and playmate.
6.Unconditional Love
A pet is a companion that will never judge you, will love you regardless of whatever happens and will always be there. As well as making you feel great, their unconditional love raises your self-esteem because of the affection they show you. It is said that animals know when they have been rescued, so the bond between you and your rehomed pet will be especially strong.
Adopt or volunteer to help!!!
*There are so many pets out there that are in great need of love and so many shelter workers and owners who need help, everyday! Whether you’re looking to adopt to help save a life or just assist in giving better quality of life to those a shelter, there are man ways to help. Even just 30-60 min a week, walking some of the dogs as a part of your exercise routine or playing with them, or simply sitting with them and petting them, makes a huge difference and is something anyone can do.
Check out some of the many shelters in OC:
OC Animal Care- http://petad...fo.com/Adopt/
OC Humane Society- http://ochum...adoption.html
More pet adoption- https://www....+County%2C+CA
Pinto’s Palette LOVES pets!
Be sure to keep a look out for out ‘Project Pet’ classes! We offer these special classes from time to time and they are some of our customers’ favorites!!!
Paint a portrait of your pet at Project Pet. Once you sign up for the painting, email us a picture of your pet (one pet per canvas, please) and we'll do the rest. Each photo will be transferred onto a 16”X20” canvas. Our talented artists will walk you through the steps to create your very own Pet Portrait! Think you can’t possibly create your fur baby (or well.. one that actually looks like them) with little to no painting experience?? Yes, you CAN! We have helped so many people who have walk into the class, convinced their painting wouldn’t turn out. It’s always the best part for our staff at Pinot’s Palette to see those that thought they couldn’t do it, leave with the smile on the face and a masterpiece in their hands at the end of the class!
*See some examples of our customers’ masterpieces here:
https://www....8798391159052
https://www....9732182065674