By Susan Hunt-Bradford, Publisher
There are so many beautiful things about adopting a shelter animal—a dog, cat, rabbit, or whatever companion you choose. I have been fortunate to have had many wonderful dogs and a cat throughout my life, and each one has enriched my life in ways I can’t fully put into words. They have given me companionship, comfort, laughter, and the most unconditional love.
Every day on Facebook, I see so many wonderful dogs and cats waiting for someone to give them a home through shelters and rescue organizations. My heart goes out to all of them.
A huge thank you to every shelter worker, rescue organization, volunteer, and foster who continues to show up every day—not only for everything you do, but also for the heartbreak you must experience while trying so hard to help. I know so many shelters and rescues are overwhelmed and operating with limited resources, yet they continue to take in animals, care for them, advocate for them, and do the very best they can. The sheer number of dogs and cats who need help must feel overwhelming at times.
We all owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything you do and everything you try to do. Thank you to the fosters who open their homes and hearts, and thank you to everyone who has adopted a shelter dog, cat, or other animal and given them a second chance.
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” — Mahatma Gandhi
And then there is the other side of what I see on social media—the horrific stories of animal abuse and cruelty. I see stories from other countries where animals have little or no legal protection, and I see heartbreaking cases here in the United States where people who have abused animals receive what can seem like incredibly light consequences. Even when animal cruelty is a felony, the sentences imposed in individual cases can be difficult to understand, especially when the animals have suffered terribly.
Reading these stories can leave me deeply saddened and with a hurting heart. I often find myself wishing there were more I could do. I sign petitions, donate when I can, support rescue organizations, and speak out against animal cruelty, but sometimes it still feels like it isn’t enough.
I love animals so much that there are times when I wish I had taken a different path in life—perhaps becoming an attorney who could fight for stronger animal-protection laws. I wish I could change the laws and make sure that those who deliberately abuse animals face meaningful consequences. Since I can’t do all of those things, I pray that someday we will see stronger protections and greater accountability for those who harm innocent animals.
Animals ask for so little. They simply want to live their lives in peace. And for our companion animals, we are their caretakers. We are responsible for providing their food, water, shelter, medical care, and, most importantly, their safety and love.
And in return, they give us so much.
My dog is 13 years old, and he brings me a kind of happiness that I need when the outside world feels overwhelming. Sometimes I just look at him sleeping peacefully or lying in the sunshine, and I think about how perfect he is. In those quiet moments, I am reminded of what animals give us simply by being here.
They trust us. They love us. They depend on us.
They deserve our kindness, our protection, and our very best.
This October, if you have room in your heart and your home, please consider adopting a shelter animal. And if adoption isn’t possible, there are still so many ways to help—foster, donate, volunteer, share an adoption post, or simply speak up for animals who cannot speak for themselves.
Adopt. Foster. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Love.