In 1869, Caroline Earl White, along with 30 more women animal rights activists formed the “Women’s Human Society” in Philadelphia. The society’s original purpose was to advocate for the humane treatment of carriage horses. The horses were often observed being mistreated. Additionally, they were denied access to water and medical care. After the society reached success in the first mission, the women began to focus on domestic animals. They opened a shelter where lost dogs could be housed until they were reclaimed by their owners or put in a new home.
In 1909, the Women’s Humane Society began an educational program about the humane treatment of animals. They raised funds for a facility where small animals could receive medical care. Their original shelter is still in operation today as the “Women’s Animal Center” in a Philadelphia suburb.
The society’s mission is being carried by groups such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Humane Society. To raise awareness, these organizations, along with many others, celebrate “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month” every October.
Community shelters are often the last hope for unwanted, neglected animals and they are at work throughout the country trying to find good homes for these animals.
Adopting an animal from a shelter accomplishes two purposes. It saves an animal’s life when you adopt from a shelter. In addition, it helps stop the cruelty of commercial breeding facilities, often called puppy mills.
Dog ownership is believed to benefit the owners in as many ways as it benefits the animals. Some of those include:
Increased physical activity – Dog ownership forces folks to get up early in the morning and to get off the couch later in the day for walks.
Stress management – A report by Harvard Medical states that petting a dog calms people by stimulating the release of relaxation hormones and lowering the levels of stress hormones.
Lowers blood pressure and heart rate – The blood pressure and heart rate are reduced when petting a dog.
Potential protection from heart disease – In 2019, the American Heart Association released a statement that owning a dog may protect humans from heart disease. The study was based on a review of available research on the calming effects of dog ownership.
Join the Garland Animal Shelter and Adoption Center for the second annual
Alumni Dog Show
Saturday, November 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Garland Animal Shelter & Adoption Center, 1902 Highway 66 in Garland
The FREE event will include food trucks, vendors, activities, adoptable pets and more
