October is All about Dogs

Someone once said, “the world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” We believe that to be true. October is a month to honor the unconditional love that dogs give by celebrating both Adopt-a-Dog month and National Pit Bull Awareness month.

October is truly all about dogs!  Two great initiatives are featured in the month of October to help raise awareness about the plight of homeless dogs.

Adopt-a-Dog Month

In 1981 the American Humane Association established an annual event to encourage people to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue organization.  Each year, millions of dogs end up homeless and waiting in shelters for a hero to come and rescue them.  For far, far too many of them, a hero never comes, and they are tragically euthanized.

Even if you are not able to adopt a dog, you still have a chance to be a hero for animals in need during Adopt-a-Dog month.  You can help celebrate in many ways:

Adopt from a shelter or rescue group

Open your heart to a new best friend from your local shelter!  There is no reason to buy a dog from a pet store when millions of adoptable dogs are waiting for forever homes in a shelter nearby.

Spay or neuter your dog

Altering your dog prevents the possibility of unexpected and unwanted puppies that contribute to the burden of animal overpopulation.  Spayed and neutered animals also may lead longer, healthier lives, with fewer of certain behavioral problems exhibited by animals who have not been spayed or neutered.

ID your pet

Only 15-20 percent of lost dogs that enter a shelter find their way home. Make sure your dog is one of the fortunate few by outfitting him with proper identification in the form of I.D. tags or a microchip.

Support your local shelter like DAWS

Donating time, money or supplies to your local shelter can demonstrate how much you care.   DAWS even gives you a chance to show your support by sponsoring a dog (or cat) to make your monetary donation even more personal.

Pit Bull Awareness Month & National Pit Bull Awareness Day

In 2007, Jodi Preis of Bless the Bullys pit bull rescue and education group in Tennessee established National Pit Bull Awareness Day (NPBAD) to provide awareness and education aimed at changing the negative and inaccurate perceptions and stereotypes about pit bulls and their responsible owners.  NPBAD is dedicated to restoring the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier by helping to educate and foster positive communications and experiences in the communities where pit bulls and their owners live. The last Saturday of every October is designated as NPBAD.  This year, it will be celebrated on October 22nd.

In 2011, NPBAD was expanded to create National Pit Bull Awareness Month.  Extending the celebration to the entire month of October means there is a greater opportunity for shelters, breed clubs, and rescue organizations to spotlight the breed through a variety of means, including adoptions, educational programs, and responsible ownership events.  Learn more about this national campaign.

DAWS also tries to correct the misconceptions held by many about pit bulls.  You can read heartfelt stories of love from pit bull owners and find facts that refute some of the common myths about pit bulls on our website.