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| © VIEW press - Getty Images |
International Homeless Animals Day was created in 1992 by the International Society for Animal Rights
to bring awareness to the many cats and dogs living on the streets or
in shelters, and to get them into loving homes. Organizations in all 50
states and across six continents have started holding events for
International Homeless Animals Day on August 17th, saving countless
animal lives and vastly improving the lives of the many humans who get
to take in a furry, feathered, or scaled new member of the family. The
following organizations and individuals keep the spirit of International
Homeless Animals Day with them every day of the year.
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria - Alexandria, Virginia
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| © The Washington Post - Getty Images |
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
has been providing shelter for homeless animals and helping them find
good homes since 1946. With over 2,000 animals in their care, it's not
just cats and dogs they're giving TLC to, but guinea pigs, iguanas, and
chinchillas, too. In recent years, they've hosted Howl-O-Ween Canine Costume Contests and even sent a player to the Puppy Bowl.
CatCon - Pasadena, California
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| © Sarah Morris - Getty Images |
CatCon is a festival for everything feline. With celebrity attendees such as Angela Kinsey
from "The Office" and Kat Dennings of "Two Broke Girls," the cats in
the Adoption Village at the event had some competition for attention,
but the focal point was still the furry stars.
Dream Team Angels Rescue - Grand Terrace, California
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| © Barcroft Media - Getty Images |
Dream Team Angels Rescue
is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding homes for animals
in need, but unfortunately that can get expensive. Luckily, the team
was able to think up an idea that brought the organization both funds
and attention. Every year, Dream Team Angels Rescue sells a calendar that features body builders alongside adoptable pooches.
Cat House on the Kings - Parlier, California
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| © Barcroft Media - Getty Images |
The Cat House on the Kings
is a "no-cage, no kill shelter for feral and abandoned cats" created by
Lynea Lattanzio, who was inspired to share her home and six-acre
property with hundreds of cats after a divorce. Lattanzio, who came out
of retirement to become a surgical veterinarian, has taken in cats from
as far away as Venezuela.
Road Trip Home - Acworth, Georgia
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| © Barcroft Media - Getty Images |
Since 2011, Road Trip Home
has saved over 10,000 canine and feline lives by transporting them from
overcrowded local shelters to no-kill shelters in the Northeast where
they can find a home. Before making the trip, all of the animals are
given a medical exam and treated as necessary.
Midcoast Humane Center - Brunswick, Maine
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| © Portland Press Herald - Getty Images |
Midcoast Humane Center is committed to caring for cats, dogs, various critters, and even farm animals. Through fundraisers like the"Save a Stray 5K," they're able to find loving homes for stray pets, place farm animals in suitable barn environments, and more.
Best Friends Animal Society - New York, New York
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| © VIEW press - Getty Images |
Best Friends isn't just an animal
sanctuary with a goal of putting an end to the shelter practice of
killing strays in the United States by 2025—the organization has a
magazine, too. If that isn't glitzy enough, their pooches recently
shared the spotlight with Milo Ventimiglia and Amanda Seyfried in an adorable interview promoting their new film.
Our Haven Wildlife Sanctuary - Golden Beach, Australia
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| © Barcroft Media - Getty Images |
Theresa and Tony Matthews created Our Haven Wildlife Sanctuary
in 2010 when the couple, who relocated after Tony suffered a
debilitating work injury, was left with a homeless joey (a baby
kangaroo) with no explanation. Since then, they've taken on many
kangaroos and recently welcomed three new babies to the crew.
Pets 90210 - Beverly Hills, California
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| © NurPhoto - Getty Images |
Unlike the 1969 festival that inspired its name, Woofstock
isn't just about peace and love, but getting dogs adopted. Grooming is
much more of a priority, too. With food vendors, a pet parade, and live
entertainment, it's a party to rival its namesake.
Rattie Ratz - Clayton, California
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| © NurPhoto - Getty Images |
With a mission to "improve the
lives of domestic pet rats and their guardians by promoting value and
respect for all animal life," Rattie Ratz
has found a loving home for hundreds of rats while distributing
information on how to care for them. To help prove that they make great
pets, Rattie Ratz supplied a San Francisco café with rats to create a pop-up rat cafe.
MSPCA - Nevins, Massachusetts
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| © Christian Science Monitor - Getty Images |
After Puerto Rico was ravaged by
Hurricane Maria, MSPCA-Nevins provided a refuge for homeless dogs on the
island and found them loving families in the New England
area. Another branch of MSPCA, in Angell, Massachusetts rescued 34 cats
from the island of St. John after it was devastated by Hurricane Irma.
Paws of War - Nesconset, New York
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| © JOHANNES EISELE - Getty Images |
Paws of War
provides military veterans with service dogs that are trained when the
organization rescues them from homelessness. They also have a mobile veterinary clinic that travels to provide medical care to the dogs of servicemen and women.
Humane Rescue Alliance - Washington, D.C.
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| © ANNA-ROSE GASSOT - Getty Images |
The product of a 2016 merger between animal welfare organizations, the Humane Rescue Alliance
is dedicated to "protect(ing) animals, support(ing) families, and
advocat(ing) for a positive change to create a world where all animals
can thrive. " Their DC Brau Pints + Paws event combines beer with
adoptable pets.
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue - Northern California
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| © Lusyaya - Getty Images |
Founded in 1996, Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue
is all about rescuing domesticated birds from harmful situations and
educating owners on how to properly take care of their avian pets. They
hold adoption and education events all over Northern California.
Race Place Retire - Alexandria, Kentucky
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| © EcoPic - Getty Images |
Race Place Retire
finds forever homes for greyhounds that used to spend their days
racing. The organization helps the former speedsters transition from
racing life to pet life with a mix of medical care, socialization, and
love.
