International Homeless Animals Day

International Homeless Animals Day is observed every year on the third Saturday in August, which will be August 17 this year. The day is marked with events and growing involvement each year. The International Society for Animal Rights started this day to raise awareness about too many pets without homes. Since then, they have made a significant impact, saving the lives of millions of animals.

History of International Homeless Animals Day

The history of animal rights and shelters has been connected for a long time. In the 1870s, people who wanted to protect animals began to see that both children and animals needed protection because they were vulnerable. This led to the creation of SPCAs (Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and anti-cruelty laws. Although animals were considered property, being cruel to them was still illegal.

In the 20th century, house pets like dogs and cats started to receive more protection, but animals used for food or work didn’t get the same attention. The social justice movements of the 1960s and 1970s brought even more focus to the welfare of dogs and cats, with groups like the ASPCA emphasizing adoption, fostering, and reducing animal suffering.

These goals continue to guide animal shelters and rights groups today, as people keep fighting for better legal and physical protections for animals. A significant achievement was the 1986 Georgia Animal Protection Act, which required licenses for kennels, shelters, pet stores, and stables, setting minimum care standards for animals. This was a big victory for animal rights. Other important laws include the Humane Euthanasia Act of 1990 and the Animal Rights Act of 2000, which further expanded animal rights.

Although the United States doesn’t have a national organization to oversee animal shelters, there are about 5,000 independently run shelters across the country. In the 1990s, many of these shelters shifted their focus from just housing animals temporarily to actively helping control the homeless pet population and promoting adoption. Shelters often address cat overpopulation with TNR programs (Trap, Neuter, Return), where volunteers trap cats, neuter them, and return them to where they were found. This helps reduce both overpopulation and the strain on shelters.

In 1992, the International Society for Animal Rights created International Homeless Animals Day (IHAD), which has grown in popularity every year. ISAR organizes events like dog walks, adoption drives, and animal blessings on IHAD, with many volunteers taking part. Today and every day, we can all help by being a voice for homeless animals and working to reduce their suffering.

International Homeless Animals Day timeline

International Homeless Animals Day FAQs

Are there events for International Homeless Animals Day?
Yes! IHAD hosts various events like adoption drives, animal blessings, live music, spay/neuter clinics, speeches by local officials and veterinarians, candlelight vigils, raffles, and games. You can visit ISAR’s website to find an event near you!

When is International Homeless Animals Day observed?
It is observed on the third Saturday of August each year. In 2020, it falls on August 15.

Where can I find more information about International Homeless Animals Day?
The International Society for Animal Rights’ website is a great resource for information about IHAD, including volunteer opportunities.

Are there other national holidays that honor animals?
Yes! Some examples include World Spay Day on January 23, Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day on January 22, National Love Your Pet Day on February 20, and National Feral Cat Day on October 16. You can find a full list of pet-related holidays on the National Today website.

How to Observe International Homeless Animals Day

1. Donate to a Shelter
Today, shelters do much more than just take in animals. Since the 1990s, they’ve been crucial in spaying and neutering homeless animals and pets, helping to control dog and cat overpopulation, and raising awareness about homeless animals. Most shelters could really use your help. If you can’t donate money, consider donating your time by volunteering to care for some puppies and kittens!

2. Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Let’s look at some numbers. A female dog that isn’t spayed can have 16 puppies in one year. If each of those puppies also has puppies, there could be 128 puppies in two years. After three years, that number could grow to 512 puppies. This is why shelters can quickly become overcrowded. One of IHAD’s top goals is to make sure all pets are spayed or neutered. So, if you haven’t already, get your pet fixed to help control the population.

3. Adopt or Foster
Shelters often struggle with overpopulation, so fostering a dog or cat for a few weeks can make a big difference. By fostering, you’re helping to prevent unnecessary euthanization and suffering, and you’re giving a dog or cat a better life than they would have in a shelter. Even if you can’t adopt permanently, fostering is a great way to support shelters and help animals in need.

5 Compelling Facts About Animal Homelessness

1. Big Operation

Around 6.5 million companion animals are brought to U.S. shelters each year, with nearly equal numbers—3.2 million cats and 3.3 million dogs.

2. Spay and Neuter Your Pets

Only about 10% of animals brought to shelters are spayed or neutered. Unfortunately, many animals are euthanized each year because pets accidentally reproduce.

3. Not All Mutts

About 25% of the dogs that enter local shelters are purebreds.

4. The Lucky 10%

Sadly, only about 10% of all dogs born will ever find a permanent home. We can help change this through awareness, spaying, neutering, and adoption.

5. No Shortage of Strays

In the United States, an estimated 70 million stray animals are living on the streets.

Why International Homeless Animals Day is Important

A. It Raises Money for Shelters
Shelters do important work for homeless animals, but they need funds for food, supplies, and more space for the strays they take in. Supporting International Homeless Animals Day by posting about it, attending events, or donating can make a big difference in keeping these shelters running. Shelters are on the front lines of the homeless animal crisis, and the financial support raised by IHAD is crucial.

B. It Gives Animals a Voice
A key goal of IHAD is to give homeless animals a voice. Their suffering often goes unnoticed, so raising awareness about the many lovable animals that experience homelessness every day is essential.

C. It Celebrates Pet Adoptions
Adopting pets is the best way to help clear out shelters. IHAD hosts many adoption-focused events, including an annual adopt-a-thon in various locations. We appreciate the effort to find good homes for strays, which not only helps the animals but also frees up space in shelters for others in need, reducing their suffering.