National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is acknowledged annually on April 30. This day highlights the pressing need for adoption from overcrowded shelters, providing a new life for animals at risk of euthanasia. Adopting from such shelters offers dual benefits: rescuing the adopted animal and freeing up space for another.
For this occasion, SU News shares various adoption stories from the University community. Christina M. Papaleo, a Learning and Development Specialist in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, adopted a cat named Aslan during the 2020 lockdown. Initially uncertain about adopting a cat, Papaleo credits Aslan, a former stray, with being a steadfast companion, likening him to the lion from “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
Elizabeth Dwyer and Benjamin Taylor ’06 adopted Zoey, a lab mix, in 2018 from Helping Hounds. Despite Zoey’s age and anxiety, she became a cherished family member, even attending Syracuse Women’s Basketball’s Dog Day. Dwyer emphasizes how adoption provides a second chance for animals: “Adopting gives animals a second chance at the life they deserve. […] We decided to adopt an older dog as they are not always a first choice for families and wanted to help a dog that was still looking for a home.”
Jessica Youngman from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs recounts adopting Buddy in 2023 from Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue in Texas. Buddy was a surprise for her son Max, bridging a gap after the loss of their previous dog. Youngman also notes their rescue Ruby, a coonhound with a past marked by cruelty, whose survival story is a testament to resilience.
Rescue pets often overcome difficult beginnings to become loyal companions. Adopting from shelters and rescues can also include finding specific breeds, puppies, or kittens. Rescues frequently intervene to save animals nearing their last days in shelters. According to Animal Shelters Count, 5.7 million dogs and cats were brought into shelters nationwide, and 748,000 experienced non-live outcomes.
Vanessa Marquette, a media relations specialist with University Communications and a volunteer with Best Friends Animal Society, supports rescuing animals, showcasing rescue pet stories like those of her dog, Nola. Kill shelters, often stigmatized, need the most support due to taking in animals regardless of resources, emphasizing the importance of adoption.
Efforts from organizations like Best Friends Animal Society suggest that a shift towards adopting 6% more shelter pets could eliminate euthanasia in American shelters. Adoption supports groups facing challenges, from seniors and black cats to bully breeds and pets with special needs.
