By: Emma Robertson
Charles Schultz, the creator of the beloved comic strip, Peanuts, once said, “All his life
he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human.
He wasn’t a dog.”
he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human.
He wasn’t a dog.”
As most know, one of the star characters of Peanuts is a brilliant and complex black and
white beagle named Snoopy. Snoopy is an creative pup who lives in a fantasy world of flying
aces, reads the timeless novel War and Peace, hosts dinner parties for the neighborhood birds on
the top of his doghouse, and remains fiercely loyal to his bald-headed boy, Charlie Brown.
Over the decades, Snoopy has won the hearts of millions.
Likewise, dogs have captured the imagination of mankind. Books, songs, sculptures, and
paintings have been created in their image. People swoon over fluffy puppies, and Instagram and
TikTok are flooded with accounts dedicated to these captivating creatures.
So, why then, are dogs and puppies being abandoned to the streets and surrendered to
shelters at record rates?
According to Shelter Animals Count, 6.5 million dogs and cats entered the shelter system
in 2023 alone. This breaks down to 3.3 million cats and 3.2 million dogs nationwide. Of these
animals, 48 percent were taken in as strays and 25 percent were documented as owner
surrenders.
Considering many shelters are filled beyond capacity, the unfortunate outcome for many
of these animals is euthanasia. Shelter Animals Count reports that nationally, “non-live”
outcomes for shelter animals has increased by 24 percent, which equals roughly 78,000
additional animals each year.
The numbers are clearly staggering and troubling.
However, even small gestures from concerned community members can make a
significant change in the grand scheme of dog and cat rescue.
Local shelters depend on donations of food, cleaning supplies, toys, blankets, leashes,
harnesses, and formula. Since many shelters are non-profit organizations, they rely on
fundraising efforts and donations for building repairs and rentals, for food and supplies, for
veterinary care, and for other incidentals.
To help with these costs directly, a community member can often choose a charity of their
choice and shop from an “Amazon Wish List” to make a monthly purchase of dog food or
cleaning supplies to aid in rescue efforts. Using the Subscribe and Save option gives shoppers
additional discounts, keeps track of orders for tax purposes, and ensures that all purchases are
shipped directly to the correct physical location of the shelter.
In addition, Frys allows an individual to choose where shopping rewards are sent. Fry’s
Food Stores’ program is called “Community Rewards.” Located at the bottom of the Fry’s Food
site, the Community Rewards Program donates a person’s shopping rewards directly to a chosen
organization. From there, this money is sent to the charity or shelter to be used for bills and
other expenses.
If you desire a more personal approach to rescue and rehabilitation of shelter animals,
volunteering is always welcomed and appreciated. Many rescues such as Arizona Small Dog
Rescue, Sky Sanctuary, Rock Star Rescue, the Humane Society, and the AZ Shih Tzu and Small
Breed Rescue have volunteer programs where willing and able-bodied participants are instructed
in facility procedures, safety programs, adoption protocol, and dog health and care procedures.
Once volunteers have been fully trained, they can create a schedule that not only gives back to
amazing shelters, but offers love, time, and companionship to animals who need to build social
skills and trust so they can be adopted into loving forever homes.
Finally, if you want to make a lifetime difference for a street and shelter dog, consider
adopting and fostering from a local shelter. Shelter animals are vetted by certified veterinarians,
cared for by invested volunteers with a genuine love for animals, and possess a true desire for an
opportunity to show unending devotion to one lucky family.
Any family fortunate enough to offer a forever home to a shelter animal will have their
lives become richer, more colorful, and filled to the brim with tail wags and moments to
remember.
If dogs have earned a reputation as “man’s best friend,” the least humans can do is ensure
they do their best to return the favor.
For a chance to give back, please consider contacting some of Arizona’s local shelters:
Arizona Small Dog Rescue
(602) 944-2440
https://azsmalldog.org/
Sky Sanctuary
https://skysanctuaryrescue.org/
Rock Star Rescue
https://rockstarrescue.org/
AZ Humane Society
602.997.7585
https://www.azhumane.org/
AZ Shih Tzu and Small Breed Rescue
https://azshihtzurescue.org/
