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Shelter Dogs
There are approximately 3.9 million dogs that enter shelters across the United States every year, and of that, only around 1.4 million are adopted and around 1.2 million of them never find homes and are eventually euthanized. The dogs that enter shelters then become rescue dogs and are in need of adoption or fostering. There are various reasons why dogs are surrendered to shelters each year however the top ten are more or less the same reasons. These include lack of training, lifestyle changes, moving, cost, time, health issues, etc.

There are some people who are forced to put their dog or dogs in a shelter due to financial issues for not only the dogs but themselves as well. The rescue group BAD RAP has a program that provides assistance for people who cannot afford medical assistance, training classes or boarding for their dogs. This company has helped over 450 families to not have to surrender their dogs to shelters. These types of organizations help to keep many dogs out of shelters each year.

There are also organizations that foster dogs from shelters until they can find a home. The charitable organization Adopt-A-Dog/Save-A-Life has helped save thousands of dogs over the last thirty years and find homes for them. Organizations similar to this one travel across Canada and the United States to high-kill animal shelters and foster dogs that are soon to be euthanized. These organizations advertise and are active in their communities so it is more likely that the dogs will be adopted than from a shelter itself.

Rescue Dogs' Growing Popularity
Over the past few years the slogan "adopt don't shop" grew in popularity, urging future pet owners or current pet owners to adopt a dog from a shelter rather than buy from a pet store. The non-profit organization Last Chance for Animals is committed to informing people of the horrific conditions of a puppy mill and showing people the animals that need adopting in shelters.

A major organization for animal rights is Peta. Peta is actively trying to encourage people to adopt dogs and not shop at pet stores where the dogs come from puppy mills. Peta uses celebrities such as Kellan Lutz to engage the younger generation into adopting dogs from shelters or rescue facilities.

Celebrities are also actively working through their social media pages to inform people about shelter dogs in need of adoption. Kaley Cuoco is one celebrity who is known to rescue dogs and be an active part in the shelter dog adopting scene.

The Canadian company Uber, a taxi-type company, teamed up with 3 Million Dogs to bring shelter puppies to offices in five cities to encourage people to adopt pets from shelters during National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. Company endorsements like these have really helped to bring popularity to rescue dogs.

How Can You Help
The easiest way to help rescue dogs is to adopt from a local shelter or shelters across Canada and the United States and not shop at pet stores for a furry friend. Volunteering at a shelter or donating to a non-profit organization is another way to help these dogs out. The more funding shelters have, the less dogs they have to euthanize because of lack of funds and/or space.