Rockland: thinking about adding a four-legged family member to the household?
Before you settle on the breed or name, consider picking up your pet from a local shelter. Here’s why, courtesy of the ASPCA and a slate of other animal authorities:
Find out what's happening in New Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
-There are currently eight million abandoned, stray and unwanted pets living in animal shelters in the United States.
Find out what's happening in New Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- Five-in-ten dogs and seven-in-ten cats in shelters are euthanized due to overcrowding, and lack of interest in their adoption
- There are over 160 million pet dogs and cats in the United States; one in 20 of those pets will end up in a shelter
- 90-percent of animals in United States shelters are healthy and adoptable
- 70-percent of people who acquire animals end up giving them away, abandoning them or taking them to shelters
Also: there’s medical evidence that says that owning a pet can help to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, improve cardiovascular health, relieve depression and improve recovery time.
On an emotional level, pets are attentive, always glad to see you, can comfort in a time of sadness, accept you unconditionally, and can trigger positive feelings, and increase joy and laughter in a home.
In Rockland County alone, there are several organizations seeking to adopt out cats and dogs. If you wish to adopt a pet, or learn how you can help rescue animals, contact agencies listed below:
Hudson Valley Humane Society: (845) 354-3124
Hi Tor Animal Shelter: http://www.hitor.org (845) 354-7900
S.T.A.R.T. (Save the animals rescue team): http://www.startpets.net/home.html 973-785-1245
C.A.T.S. (Care about the strays):
http://www.catsforadoption.org/care_about_the_strays.html 845.634.0345
Heaven Can Wait: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NY836.html 718-809-7628
North Star Placement: http://members.petfinder.com/~NY352/default.htm hagar6500@hotmail.com
Superdog Dog Rescue: http://superdognydogrescue.vpweb.com
Dapper Dog: (845) 353-3599
Hopeful Tails Rescue: (845) 353- 3599
Four Legs Good http://www.fourlegsgoodnynj.org (877) 856-2616
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
