2nd Chance 4 Pets Sponsors "Adopt an Orphaned Pet Day"
Marking the 3rd anniversary of 9-11, communities urged to open their hearts and homes to pets whose human companions have died.
Los Gatos, CA (PRWEB) September 9, 2004 - On the eve of remembrance of the tragedy of 9-
11, 2nd Chance 4 Pets has launched a national campaign to promote adopting orphaned pets from shelters. Over 500,000 pets are orphaned each year due to the death or disability of their human companions. 2nd Chance 4 Pets is the first organization to focus their efforts on this long, unrecognized issue, and Adopt an Orphaned Pet Day is helping to create awareness and reduce the numbers of companion animals needlessly euthanized throughout the US each year.
Adopt an Orphaned Pet Day has been established in tribute to the 800 pets that were orphaned on 9/11 in New York City and their human companions who tragically died. Fortunately, animal rescue groups across the country joined forces to find new homes for these pets. Unfortunately, there are not enough resources to currently help find homes for all 500,000 pets that become orphaned each year when their owners die.
2nd Chance 4 Pets is exposing the problem of pets being relinquished and euthanized due to their human companionsÂ’ death or disability. Pet owners predecease their pets due to natural and man-made tragedies - hurricanes, fires, floods, car accidents and even terrorism. Unfortunately, there are 500,000 reasons for pet owners to plan for the lifetime care of their pets while they are able to make such important decisions.
“Most responsible pet owners are not aware of the planning options that are available to ensure continuous care for their pets”, says Amy Shever, Director of 2nd Chance 4 Pets. “Our organization is helping pet owners plan for the lifetime care of their pets by assisting them with establishing emergency plans, and encouraging them to select other caregivers who are committed to caring for their pets.”
“575 dogs and cats were put to death is US shelters every hour last year,” says Cyrus Mejia, artist and creator of The Best Friends Animal Society Art Project, a memorial to these pets. “Since many of these animals are healthy and adoptable the efforts of 2nd Chance 4 Pets have tremendous potential to significantly reduce these numbers. It will guarantee life for pets that have provided constant love and companionship.”
In California alone, animal control agencies and shelters euthanize an estimated 750,000 to 1 million dogs and cats annually to deal with the surplus of companion animals. This method of animal control costs California taxpayers in excess of $50 million annually (Assembly Bill 2513). Spay and neuter programs represent the most successful organized prevention strategy to reduce the number of pets relinquished to animal shelters each year. These programs have reduced unwanted breeding and population, but the numbers of pets still being euthanized throughout the country is still at epidemic levels.
“The tragedy of 9/11 forced many of us to realize that we need to plan ahead for the care of all aspects of our lives – including our pets,” explains Jane Hoffman, President of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC's Animals. “We are encouraging pet owners to make sure that should anything happen, their pets are cared for. The lives of thousands of animals will be saved, and pet owners will benefit from peace of mind knowing that they have planned for the lifetime care of their pets.”
About 2nd Chance for Pets
The mission of 2nd Chance 4 Pets is to reduce the number of pets unnecessarily euthanized each year due to the death or incapacity of their human companions who care for them. 2nd Chance 4 Pets is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and is currently working throughout California and extending their programs nationwide to provide pet owners with comprehensive information and lifetime care solutions, ensuring that their pets will always be cared for. 2nd Chance 4 Pets Adopt an Orphaned Pet Day is being co-sponsored by PetGuardian. For more information, please visit www.2ndchance4pets. org or www. petguardian. com
