May is National Pet Month, a time when we celebrate the joy and companionship that our pets bring into our lives. Observed annually every May, National Pet Month aims to encourage people to adopt pets, especially homeless ones, and take care of them responsibly.
At SDC CPAs, we recognize the importance of pets in people’s lives. Our resident office cats provide us with companionship (and amuse us with their hijinks and ability to sleep anywhere). We also fundraise to support local animal shelters.
There are several ways to honor National Pet Month and make a difference in an animal’s life.
Support a pet shelter. Pet shelters need supplies like food and blankets to keep all dogs and cats under their care healthy and warm. Donating supplies will help your local shelter to take in more homeless and abandoned pets. Most shelters have lists of suggested donations on their websites.
Volunteer at a shelter. These efforts are also much appreciated. Playing and cuddling with cats in the shelter or teaching dogs these basic commands and cool tricks will help improve their socialization skills and increase their chances for adoption.
Adopt a shelter animal. Adopting a shelter animal has numerous benefits, both for the animal and the adopter. You may also encourage your relatives and friends to take home a pet of any age. Senior pets often have an especially hard time finding a home.
One of the most significant benefits of adopting a shelter animal is that you are giving a second chance to an animal in need. Shelter animals are often there because they have been abandoned, lost, or surrendered by their owners. By adopting a shelter animal, you are providing a safe and loving home for an animal that may have otherwise been euthanized.
Adopting a shelter animal is also cost-effective. Many shelters provide animals with vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying or neutering, which can save adopters hundreds of dollars in vet bills. Additionally, shelter adoption fees are typically much lower than the cost of purchasing an animal from a breeder or pet store.
Shelter animals also tend to be healthier than animals from other sources. Shelters typically provide animals with necessary medical care, and animals are screened for health issues before adoption. Additionally, shelters often provide animals with socialization and training, making them better companions for their adopters.
Adopting a shelter animal can also be good for your mental health. Studies have shown that pet owners experience less stress and anxiety and have lower rates of depression than those without pets. Having a pet to care for can also provide a sense of purpose and routine, which can be beneficial for mental health.
Adopting a shelter animal can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Knowing that you have provided a loving home for an animal in need can be incredibly satisfying. Additionally, the bond that develops between pet and owner can be incredibly strong, providing a lifetime of friendship. Caring for a pet provides us with a sense of purpose, feelings of fulfillment, and genuine companionship born out of unconditional love.
Everyone from artists to psychiatrists agrees. “Happiness is a warm puppy,” according to Charles Schultz, the creator of the Peanuts cartoons. Psychiatrist Sigmund Freud would also add, “Time with cats is never wasted.”
