Adoption

Joplin Adopt-A-Thon: Day One in Pictures

Sunday, June 26, 2011 - 3:45pm

Yesterday more than 400 cats and dogs found new forever homes during day one of our mega adoption event in Joplin. That’s a whole lot of happy animals. But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding—so check out this awwww-inspiring slideshow of some of our favorite moments from day one.

In the coming days, we’ll post many more photos and happy tails, so be sure to stay tuned to ASPCA.org. And don’t forget, there are still 200 sweet and social pets who are available for adoption today, day two of our adopt-a-thon at Joplin Humane Society! Follow @ASPCA on Twitter for all the latest action.

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Adoption
Natural Disasters

Joplin Adopt-A-Thon Ends on High Note

Sunday, June 26, 2011 - 3:15pm

Joplin Adoption EventThis weekend was one of healing for thousands of Joplin residents who joined their neighbors to find homes for more than 700 animals displaced by last month’s tornado. By the end of day two of our adopt-a-thon at the Joplin Humane Society, all cats and dogs were happily ensconced in their new families’ arms.

We are truly humbled by the amazing generosity of our fellow animal lovers and volunteers and, most of all, the hard work and compassion of our colleagues at the Joplin Humane Society. But, of course, none of this weekend’s successes would have been possible without you—our supporters.

For that reason, we want to issue a big THANKS to all those who opened their hearts and homes to Joplin and its pets. Whether you traveled many miles to show your support or adopt an animal, or followed our blog, Facebook and Twitter updates, you truly made a difference.

Together we changed the lives of hundreds of cats and dogs and helped a community continue to recover its incredible spirit.

Please stay tuned to ASPCA.org in the coming days to read inspiring Joplin adoption stories and see many more photos of happy pets and their new families!

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Adoption
Natural Disasters

Joplin Adopt-A-Thon A Huge Success

Saturday, June 25, 2011 - 3:00pm
Joplin Adoption Event

We are completely floored by the amazing outpouring of support at the first day of the adoption event at the Joplin Humane Society. Thanks to the generosity of pet lovers like you, and the inspiring resilience of Joplin’s residents, hundreds of pets left homeless by last month’s tornado are sleeping in new beds tonight.

In fact, as of this writing, more than 400 animals at our emergency shelter have been adopted. For the second day of the event on Sunday, June 26, we expect another 200 animals will be available. Remember though, even if you can't make it to Joplin, you can make just as meaningful an impact by adopting a pet from your local shelter. And we’re certain there are many sweet and lovable animals waiting patiently for forever homes in a shelter near you.

Pets just like the three-year-old Schnauzer and Lab puppy who were adopted by sisters Amanda and Stephanie Dooghe. The Dooghes’ grandmother—and her beloved dog—perished in the Joplin storm. The sisters decided to lend a helping hand at the adopt-a-thon and went home with these adorable new additions to their family—much to the delight of their kids!

Many thanks again to the amazing citizens of Joplin and the surrounding communities who came out in droves to adopt! Stay tuned to www.aspca.org/blog and @ASPCA on Twitter for additional coverage of the weekend’s events as well as stories and photos of hundreds of happy endings in the coming days.

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Adoption
Natural Disasters

A Senior Cat Gets a Second Chance at Love

Monday, June 20, 2011 - 3:45pm

Smedley's Second ChanceIn honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, this guest blog is written by Lacy Paap, a longtime supporter of the ASPCA and proud pet parent of Smedley.

A seven-year-old orange tabby with dental disease, Smedley had been passed over for months at my local shelter. He didn't stand much of a chance. But for me, it was love at first rub.

As I sat down to pet a few of the cats, Smedley came right over and began to head butt me repeatedly. He then made himself cozy in my lap as if we'd already spent years together. At this point, no other cat stood a chance. This was my guy.

Today, this senior boy continues to give the best cat rubs you can imagine and spends every possible moment snuggling with me. He loves indiscriminately and has a surplus of adorable habits that charm everyone he meets.

Smedley is my feline soul mate, and he embodies the meaning of unconditional love. Take a chance on an older shelter cat—I'm so glad I did!

Visit our Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month section to learn more about the joys of adopting a special senior.

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Adoption

Easier Than Pie—Craft Catnip Toys for Your Local Shelter!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - 4:45pm

kittenIt’s no secret: Shelter cats get bored. What better way to keep them entertained than with a little nip? Crafting these easy-to-make toys is the perfect way for you (and your friends!) to feel good about helping homeless cats this summer. Did we mention it’s a kid-friendly project, too?

Gather Your Supplies:
- New, infant- or child-size crew socks
- Cotton balls or craft stuffing
- Dried catnip
- Non-toxic permanent markers
- Non-toxic washable fabric glue

Get Crafting:

1. Stuff the toe of the sock with 1 tablespoon of dried catnip.

2. Next, stuff the foot of the sock with cotton balls or craft stuffing.

3. Squeeze fabric glue on the inside of the sock’s ribbing to glue the sock closed, or knot the top of the sock.

4. Decorate with fabric markers.

Thanks for getting crafty for homeless kitties—after all, it’s Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month!

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Adoption
Shelters

This June, the Best Things in Life Are Free!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - 1:45pm

Fresh StepThe ASPCA and the makers of Fresh Step litter aren't asking animal shelters to give away the farm. Just the cats.

Fresh Step has partnered with the ASPCA to encourage shelters to try fee-waived adoption promotions during Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month this June. So far, this life-saving campaign has enlisted more than 100 shelters across the country.

Research shows that fee-waived adoption campaigns not only increase adoptions, but decrease the amount of time cats stay in the shelter. So go ahead, adopt the fabulous feline of your dreams—for free! For a list of participating shelters, visit the Fresh Step Facebook page.

Take Action on Facebook!
But wait, there’s more. The maker of Fresh Step Litter will also donate $1 (up to $100,000) to the ASPCA for every "like" the Fresh Step Facebook page receives through July 31, 2011. Get clicking! Please. Thank you.

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Adoption

Eleven-Year-Old Artist Helps Homeless Animals!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 3:30pm
Eleven-Year-Old Artist Helps Homeless Animals!

The ASPCA’s 2010 Kid of the Year kid has done it again! Eleven-year-old artist and author Olivia Bouler is on a new mission to help animals—and the ASPCA. Last year, Olivia raised thousands of dollars for the animals affected by the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf. She sent watercolor bird illustrations to those who donated to the Audubon Society in honor of the birds harmed by the spill.

In a new partnership with the company ArtStamps, Olivia is using her artistic talents to help animals once again. An imprint of her latest design of her pets, Quinn, and Clara, or any of her other art gallery images, are now available on more than 500 products offered by ArtStamps. And 25% of all sales from Olivia’s gallery will be donated to the ASPCA!

Get Involved!
What do you love to do? Just like Olivia, you can use your favorite activities to help raise life-saving funds for homeless animals. Visit our Get Involved section for more ways you can make a difference!

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Adoption

The California Chihuahuas Have Landed!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 - 2:45pm
The California Chihuahuas Have Landed!

On March 1, the ASPCA Adoption Center welcomed a dozen Chihuahuas from California who arrived in the Big Apple in search of new forever homes. The dogs started their journey at the City of San Francisco Animal Care & Control, and their in-cabin transportation was donated by Virgin Airlines. After some post-travel rest and relaxation, the tiny pups will be made available for adoption next week at the ASPCA in Manhattan.

Over the past few years, California shelters have seen a dramatic increase in Chihuahua intakes—this toy breed now makes up nearly one-third of the state’s shelter dog population. While demand for Chihuahuas has declined in much of the Golden State, their popularity in New York City is as high as ever.

This isn’t the first time the ASPCA has opened our doors to Left Coast pooches. In January 2010, we welcomed 15 dogs to our Manhattan headquarters in the first-ever Operation Chihuahua."We are glad to be given this opportunity to help New Yorkers get the small dogs they want, and at the same time, help find loving homes for San Francisco’s homeless animals," said Gail Buchwald, ASPCA Senior Vice President, at the time.

The latest group of dogs range in age, although most of them are young adults and on the shy side. They require quiet homes with experienced dog parents and no young children under age 10. Once they are made available, adoption fees will be $200 per dog, and will include all medical and behavioral treatments, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and a microchip.

For additional information, please visit ASPCA.org or call our special hotline at (212) 876-7700, ext. 3210.

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Adoption

Loving Harvey—Adopting a Puppy Mill Survivor

Thursday, February 17, 2011 - 3:45pm
Loving Harvey—Adopting a Puppy Mill Survivor

This guest blog is written by Toni Curly a long-time supporter of the ASPCA and proud pet-parent of Harvey the Pug. Read on as she discusses the story of adopting her family’s beloved companion.

My husband and I always searched for the sad story before adopting a dog—we always want the ones who are harder to place. One eye? No problem! A senior dog? Bring him here! So how could we say no when we read about Harvey? Harvey was emaciated. He had a crooked-looking spine, a bulging eye and rotted teeth, and his tongue hung out. Harvey also wore a diaper. How could we resist?

The sad truth is, Harvey’s poor condition was the result of spending eight years living in a cramped wire cage, in complete darkness—he is the victim of a puppy mill.

While Harvey happily joined our family, it took a long time for him to settle in. We wondered if the horrid conditions he experienced had left him shell-shocked. It took nearly six months of patience and love for Harvey to finally trust us—and realize he had found his forever home. Harvey's days are now filled with care: a warm bed, walks around his neighborhood, plenty of nutritious food and, above all, love.

Harvey and our son bonded immediately and love each other dearly. As sleeping companions, they comfort each other when needed. If our son wakes in the night, he knows that Harvey is there with him. And, I suppose, if Harvey awakes in the dark remembering his puppy mill days, he finds comfort snuggling up to Connor. 

Every day we share Harvey’s story with everyone who stops to meet him. Our hope is that puppy mills will be a thing of the past within in our lifetime, and that dogs like Harvey will suffer no more.

For more information about living with a puppy mill dog, visit our Puppy Mill Section.

And don’t forget to share this heartwarming story with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter!

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Adoption
Puppy Mills

Subaru’s Revving Up to Help Homeless Pets for the Holidays

Thursday, November 11, 2010 - 2:45pm

Get your motors running, animal lovers! This holiday season, Subaru is once again giving back with the Subaru Share the Love Event. That means you could be helping homeless pets while driving a brand new set of wheels. For every vehicle sold or leased between November 20 and January 3, Subaru will donate $250 to the owner’s charity of choice—one of which is the ASPCA!

It’s no surprise that Subaru owners love their dogs! For the 3rd year in a row, the ASPCA has been selected as one of five charities to participate in the dealership’s holiday year end sales event—raising more than $2.5 million in total donations.

To do our part, we have united Subaru dealers with local animal welfare agencies across the country to jointly host pet adopt-a-thons, collection drives, even holiday photos with Santa Claws. Last year, thanks to these special events, more than 350 animals found forever homes and $28,000 in donations were raised for local animal agencies!

Since there’s no limit to the amount that Subaru is willing to donate, car buyers can help the ASPCA receive upwards of a million dollars (or more!)—with all donations directly impacting our efforts to fight animal cruelty. So, even if you’re not thinking about getting a new car, tell a friend, tell a loved one—tell anyone shopping around that Subaru is worth checking out!

There has never been a better time, a better season or a better reason to buy a Subaru. Visit Subaru today for more information.

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Adoption
Events

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