It's National Animal Shelter Week

Each year, The Humane Society of the United States celebrates National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week during the first full week of November as a way to honor animal shelters and the dedicated people who work to protect animals across the country.

“Animal shelters are a vital resource in their communities,” said Kim Intino, director of shelter services for The HSUS. “A shelter is a safe haven for animals, and a great place to adopt a new family pet. And many also serve their communities by providing emergency animal services, resources for pet owners, and community education on humane issues.”

There are approximately 4,000 animal shelters across the United States, available to serve the estimated 6-8 million homeless animals who seek refuge each year. While 63 percent of American households include pets, only 10 percent of owned dogs and 18 percent of owned cats are adopted from animal shelters.

If you don’t know your local shelter, there is no better time to get acquainted than National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Look them up on the web, or find out when they’re open to the public and pay them a visit. Talk to the staff, ask what you can do to help support the work they do for animals in your community.

Spread the word about animals waiting to be adopted, and celebrate the many services provided by your local animal shelter – here are some ideas!

· Win your local shelter a million dollar makeover, and rate your favorite pet products at the same time! Details at zootoo.com/makeover.

· Download a banner for your web page and find out the top ten ways to support your local shelter by clicking here.

· Check out Patrick McDonnell’s Shelter Stories Gallery on muttscomics.com,
then read this year’s stories in the funny pages of your local paper all week!

· Donate much-needed supplies to homeless animals with the help of your friendly local petsitter. Visit petsitters.org for more info.

· Plan a last-minute open house – to find out how, click here.

The HSUS is the nation's strongest advocate for local humane societies. Besides celebrating the valuable service that shelters provide to our nation’s communities through National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, The HSUS supports shelters and animal rescue groups by providing training programs, hosting the nation's largest trade and educational show for shelter professionals and providing national shelter standards. The HSUS also provides millions of dollars of support for spay and neuter programs and just launched a national advertising campaign valued in the tens of millions that will promote the adoption of shelter animals.

To find out more about how The HSUS supports the animal sheltering community, click here.

Follow The HSUS on Twitter.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.