Article updated in 2012.

It’s raining cats and dogs. I’m not talking about the weather. Of course, I am speaking quite literally on the subject of cats and dogs. A long time ago I had the opportunity to visit a NYCAC, a place where stray dogs and cats are collected, protected, vaccinated, and handed over to people who want to adopt them. At that time I had no idea what the animal population was in my city or country. Very soon I began to learn about this and was very happy to learn that I did more than save a cat’s life when I decided to adopt. Silly as it may sound, I probably saved generations of cats and kittens with my one act of adopting an animal rather than buying it.

Here are some facts that you may not yet know:

Did you know

Every day 10,000 humans are born in the US, and every day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. As a result, millions of healthy and loving cats, dogs, kittens and puppies face premature deaths as a form of animal control. Others are forced to fend for themselves against cruel automobiles, the elements, animals, and humans. What can you do to stop the suffering? Spay and neuter your pets! Work with SPAYUSA and together we can make a difference. An unspayed bitch, her partner and all her puppies, if none have been neutered or spayed, add up: in 1 year 16 animals, 2 years 128 animals, 3 years five hundred twelve animals, 4 years equals 2048, 5 years twelve thousand two hundred eighty-eight. In six years, those animals will have produced more than sixty-seven thousand animals of that one family.

That quote is directly from Spay USA.

As long as you keep buying animals instead of adopting animals, you become part of the problem. If you are considering bringing an animal into your family space, consider adopting that animal rather than going to a store to pick out the animal. Always opt for adoption. By opting for adoption, you are saving the life of an animal.

Here’s how to adopt:

• Find an adoption center near you and go there.
• Ask your friends for recommendations. You may know someone who is putting a cat or dog up for adoption.
• Prepare your home before the animal arrives. (Buy a pet dish, cleaning supplies, and everything your animal should receive when that pet is adopted.
• Place a free ad in the newspaper stating that you would like to adopt.
• Check your community’s yellow pages and make sure your writing is connected
• Place a free ad in a local newspaper, stating that an animal is available for local adoption. There are hundreds of ways to prepare you and your pet for an adoption event.

Important safety note: If you are an animal lover, pet owner to anyone who knows someone who has pets, please kindly pass this word on that no one should pet cats or dogs on a leash, indoors or out. Many pets are killed or in danger when tied outdoors and left unattended. If your pet is on a leash, it should be there with it. Otherwise, your pet can strangle itself on its own leash. When dogs are leashed outdoors and left unattended, some of them are attacked by wild animals (squirrels, possums, raccoons) and could be killed by them. Also, some of these wild animals may have rabies. Therefore, by leashing animals and leaving them unattended, you are putting your pets in great danger.

Other safety notes: Keep chocolate away from animals. I have heard that some have bad reactions and also that chocolate is fatal to dogs. (I’m not sure about cats). Grapes are fatal to cats. A long time ago I had a cat who loved salad. He loved the salad. And one day I was giving him the salad and I was offering him a grape that came in the fruit salad. It backed away from the grape as if it were a predator. He surprised me because he loved natural foods. It wasn’t until years later that I read at a vet’s office that cats shouldn’t eat grapes because they can be fatal to cats. Woof. This cat knew what was not good for him. It will not go near the feet of a grape. It is amazing how God created creatures, in such a way that even though they have no scientific knowledge, their bodies know what is good for them and what is not. Even man has that built-in power: to know what is good and what is not good. Do you remember your first cigarette? He probably choked and choked, but kept smoking anyway. Bud, that choking was a warning that cigarettes are fatal to humans. But we, unlike cats, decide to go against our nature and our health if we continue to smoke. So today, having nothing to do with cats and animals, do yourself a favor and stop doing the things your body says are wrong. You will be happy you did that favor.

Remember, adopting a pet helps save the world, save animals, and save lives. Make your next stop at a place of adoption or shelter. Today, all over the world, puppy mills are producing unhealthy puppies and dogs. Why help support them? Help support the little animals that are already here and you can make a difference in someone’s life.