The 3rd week of September marks Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable Week, a week intended to raise awareness for the many lovable underdogs & cats of the world who often get overlooked at shelters, and help them find furever homes.
You might be wondering, what makes a pet considered “less adoptable” in the first place?
Age is a huge factor. Many people want a puppy or a kitten, and therefore pets who are older are considered less desirable, and can end up sitting in shelters for much longer. Disabilities and illnesses also play a part — if an animal has a distinguishable disability, or a known illness that could potentially cost the owner money and time to treat, these pets tend to get overlooked.
Behavioral issues and breed stigmas also can play a role in a pet being more or less adoptable. Unfortunately, there are a handful of breeds that get a bad rep, like pit bulls, which is why so many shelters are filled to the brim with them and struggle finding them loving homes. While behavioral issues are a legitimate concern for families, particularly those with small children, there are many animals who have the potential to overcome their behavioral issues. Often times, behavioral issues stem from a rough start in life, or previous owners who took poor care of them. What they need is patience and someone who can lovingly work with them through those behavioral issues. You’d be surprised by the drastic transformation after time, a little TLC, and a lot of patience!
Lastly, color can even influence whether or not a pet is adoptable. For example, there tends to be a lot of stigma and superstition around black cats. Particularly as we enter into the fall season and the month of October, black cats will not only be overlooked, but are highly susceptible to abuse.
We’re inviting you to help us root for the underdogs & cats this week (and always!), and help them find loving homes! Here’s a few ideas of how you can get involved:
Share your own personal less-adoptable pet success story!
Sometimes it’s just fear that holds us back, but once we hear of the many loving transformation stories of the ‘less-adoptable’, it can encourage others to open up their minds & hearts!
Share adoptable pet photos on social media from local shelters!
Browse some of the wonderful local shelters like BARC, Friends4Life, Houston Pets Alive, Houston SPCA, K9-Angels Rescue, and more to find pets that fit the ‘less-adoptable’ criteria, like senior pets or disabled pets, and share them with your community!
Consider fostering.
The same organizations are always in need of fosters, and often times, the ‘less-adoptable’ pets will end up living in shelters for months, even years. Giving them even a temporary loving home can ease their anxiety, and help prepare them for their forever home. Who knows, you might even meet your new best friend!
And lastly, if you need a little heartfelt encouragement to show love to the underdogs, watch this video of an adopted boy whose made it his life mission to find homes for the less adoptable pets. [Note: make sure you have a box of tissues on hand!]
P.S. - Many of the pets that belong to the Rollin’ Vets staff were considered ‘less adoptable,’ and have all found loving homes that cannot imagine life without them.