National Mutt Day was created in 2005 to create awareness of the plight of mixed breed dogs in animal shelters across the United States. Mixed breed dogs are bountiful at shelters waiting for a second chance at a forever home. This day is to shine a light on the biggest percentage of dogs in shelters – mixed breeds.
Sadly, the largest number of dogs euthanized in animal shelters each year are unwanted, medium to large mixed breed dogs.
Why is it that so many mixed breed dogs find themselves housed waiting for a new home? According to Colleen Paige (Celebrity Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate), the founder of National Mutt Day, it is due to the constant over-breeding and public desire of designer dogs and pure bred puppies that are sold to pet stores supplied by puppy mills that often produce ill and horribly neglected animals.
Did you know that mixed breed dogs are usually healthier, better behaved, are able to perform the duties of purebred dogs such as bomb and drug-sniffing, search and rescue, and guiding the blind? Plus, they are a joy to have in your home!
Ironically, pet stores acquire their puppies from puppy mills 99% of the time. Many are mixed breeds with people paying over a $1000 for a puppy that is not even a purebred. Why pay that money when you can adopt a mixed breed dog at a reasonable rate plus your pet will be spayed/neutered and microchipped which is included in the cost of the adoption?
Millions of mixed breed dogs are waiting for YOU to desperately give them a home. Go to your local shelter and check out the mixed breed dogs. If you can’t adopt, volunteer in a capacity that fits your personality, donate items or money of which they need all the help they can get.
National Mutt Day occurs twice a year- July 31st and December 2nd.
If you have a “mutt”, congratulations and Happy National Mutt Day!
Have a story, please email me at tevangelistaepp@yahoo. Like my tv page at https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues.
I love my mixed breed dog! He has been by my side all of his life. I don’t care for the word “mutt.” Mutts are also now considered designer dogs. Let’s not diminish their true value.
I have a mix of german shep, collie, and who knows what else. She’s my designer dog! She is the best!!! I don’t like the term, mutts. It demoralizes the dogs. They are dogs. All dogs have been a mix of something or another to become that breed.