 (2).png)
3 weeks ago
29
Bernese mountain dogs rank as Texas’ favorite dog breed, according to a new poll by Forbes Advisor, which surveyed 10,000 American dog owners in celebration of National Dog Day on Aug. 26.
Among the least favorite in the United States, according to the study: Great Dane, Pomeranian, French Bulldog, Cane Corso and Yorkshire Terrier. (Coincidentally, as a dog sitter in the upper Rio Grande Valley, these are all breeds I welcomed into my home this summer.)
But in the Valley, we just can’t afford to declare a top dog. For many years, we’ve had a big doggone problem with overpopulation that the community needs to face.
Our largest resource, Palm Valley Animal Society, dealt with the fallout of three local animal hoarding cases this year, totaling in 200 animals including dogs and cats. That’s in addition to owner surrenders and the homeless dog population delivered to PVAS by local animal control departments.
Despite nonprofit rescues also actively working to counter the assault, there is significant overcrowding.
When the community doesn’t make a commitment to helping solve the problem — spay and neuter, for example — the result is euthanasia in our shelters.
In July, a report by the city of Edinburg assistant senior animal control warden was released, indicating 285 “stray” animals were euthanized by the city between January and May.
Nationally, every 2.5 minutes, a dog is killed in U.S. shelters, Best Friends Animal Society reports. The leading national animal welfare organization released data showing that in 2023, 207,400 dogs were killed in shelters. That’s 568 dogs per day.
“Despite saving 83% of dogs that entered U.S. shelters in 2023, the number of dogs unnecessarily dying increased by 30%” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “Roughly 7 million people in America are planning to acquire a pet this year, and if just 6% more people chose to adopt versus purchase their pets, we would end the killing of dogs and cats in our nation’s shelters.”
Here are the top five ways to make a difference on National Dog Day:
>> Spay and neuter: Not only does spaying and neutering pets prevent future litters, it can directly decrease the number of pets entering shelters. Additional benefits include reducing the risk of medical problems and expenses down the line. We have lower-cost options in the RGV.
>> Foster First: Not ready to adopt? Fostering is a great option that provides a pet with the space and time to decompress, while acclimating to life in a home. Fostering comes at no cost to those opening their homes, as shelter and rescue organizations typically cover all expenses while the pet is in foster. Many organizations offer also offer foster-to-adopt programs where individuals can see if a pet is right for their home before adopting.
>> Give back: Shelter staff across the country are spread thin. Walking dogs, cleaning kennels, and doing laundry are all essential tasks to keep shelters running smoothly. If a lack of time prohibits volunteering, donating provides resources to help shelters save more lives. Plus, donations don’t have to be monetary — shelters always need supplies like food, blankets, towels, and even old newspapers. Reach out to your local shelter to find out what they need.
>> Utilize social media: Shelters and rescue groups often post about dogs in need at their organization. Start by following Palm Valley Animal Society on Facebook and Instagram. By sharing these posts on social media channels, more awareness is created which can help dogs find foster or adoptive homes. It’s a quick, free and easy way to make a positive difference.
>> Adopt a new best friend: When adding a new four-legged companion to the home, choosing the adoption option is one of the simplest ways to help achieve no-kill. Adopting helps save lives and reduces the demand for puppy mills or other inhumane commercial breeding facilities.
The post On National Dog Day, let’s face the doggone problem appeared first on MyRGV.com.
English (US)