Celebrating National Mutt Day

Sunday, December 2 is National Mutt Day. This special day was founded in 2005 by celebrity pet expert and dog psychologist, Colleen Paige to raise awareness about the challenges facing the thousands of abandoned and needy mixed breed dogs who are languishing in shelters throughout the country. National Mutt Day is also celebrated to let folks know how truly remarkable mixed breed dogs are as pets.

However, since many of the pure- breed and designer dogs are now all the rage, the unwanted medium to large mixed breed canines make up the highest percentage of all the dogs who are annually euthanized in shelters.

By creating National Mutt Day, Paige became the voice, speaking up for all of these amazing animals who are longing to be adopted in a forever loving home. Her poignant and compelling words say it all . . .  “In every heart there is a hole . . . in every shelter . . . there is love to fill it.”

Why adopt a mixed breed canine? According to National Awareness Days, “mutts” tend to be better behaved, live longer, and are healthier canines. In fact, mixed breeds are just as capable as their pure bred cousins in the role of service, search and rescue, bomb and drug sniffers, and guide dogs for the blind.   In fact, some mutts have become famous film stars; as an example, Benji a mixed terrier and all of his the subsequent look alike canines have stolen the hearts of millions of movie goers for years.

So if you have been considering adopting a pooch (or two), now is the perfect opportunity to take part in this annual celebration. Today there just may be several marvelous mutts just waiting for you to show up and meet you at your local shelter who will become your very best and devoted friend.

However, if you are not able to adopt a mutt by December 2, and you want to help mixed breed shelter dogs, have no worries. There are many ways in which you can become involved! Here are just a few suggestions:

1.       Every dollar helps shelters, (all of which need financial support to keep their doors open). Consider making a donation of at least $5.00 to your local shelter.

2.       Donate blankets, towels, dog food, toys and other supplies to animal welfare organizations.

3.       Volunteer to help walk dogs at your local shelter.

4.       Offer to walk an elderly neighbor’s dog. 

5.       Get politically involved; write your congressional representatives to support pending animal welfare bills and to ban gas chambers and puppy mills in your state.

6.       Neuter and spay your pets. They will live longer and healthier lives.

This year’s goal is saving the lives of at least 10,000 mutts on December 2, so spread the word! You will definitely be barking up the RIGHT tree!

Have you ever fallen in love with a mutt? Tell us about it in a comment.