Today, January 24th, marks National Change A Pet’s Life Day, a heartfelt annual celebration aimed at improving the lives of pets and enriching our own. Pets bring unconditional love, boundless joy, and unwavering loyalty to our lives, and this day serves as a reminder to give back to these wonderful companions.
Millions of animals live in shelters or on the streets, waiting for a family to call their own. On this special day, consider how you can help—whether by adopting, donating, volunteering, or even spreading the word about rescues and shelters. Every small act of kindness counts.
A dog’s love is pure and unconditional. They greet you with wagging tails and hearts full of joy, brightening even the darkest days. Every pet deserves a chance to experience that same love and joy in return. While adoption is one of the most impactful ways to change an animal’s life, there are many ways to help, even if you’re unable to bring a pet into your home. Consider donating to shelters, sponsoring adoptions, or fostering animals as they await their forever families.
Here are some eye-opening facts about pet adoptions:
- Approximately 72% of American households own a pet.
- Over 50,000 pets are fostered in the U.S. each year, providing them with temporary care and hope for a better future.
- Sadly, 5 to 7 million pets enter animal shelters annually, and many never find homes.
- Statistics show that when people decide to adopt, it takes only eight minutes for them to choose their new companion.
Let’s honor National Change A Pet’s Life Day by taking meaningful steps to support animals in need. Whether it’s adopting, fostering, donating, or simply sharing a rescue’s post, every action matters. Together, we can make a difference for the countless pets still waiting for their chance at happiness.
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Area shelter and rescues:
Ozarks Pet Rescue in Willow Springs. They rescue animals all across Missouri and Arkansas. They are a fostered-based facility and even help with local vet bills if they cannot pay for the treatment their pet needs.
Paw Control of Cherokee Village in Cherokee Village, Arkansas. This shelter operates inside city limits and helps animals that are homeless on the streets find homes.
The City of West Plains Animal Care and Control is in West Plains. Animal Control Officer Brad Jones heads this place and, along with wonderful volunteers, takes care of animals, saving them from the street and trying to find them new families.
City of Mountain Grove Animal Control in Mountain Grove. Animal Control Officer Jordan and her colleagues pull starving animals and nurse them to health as they search for their owners or someone willing to adopt them.
