KEY POINTS

  • Thousands of animals are put down each year due to"pet overpopulation epidemic"
  • On this day, rescue groups, animal welfare organizations animal lovers come together to help homeless animals
  • They raise awareness about adopting animals from shelters instead of breeders

International Homeless Animals’ Day is observed annually on Aug. 15 in order to raise awareness about the "pet overpopulation epidemic," due to which thousands of animals are euthanized each year.

The day was started by the organization International Society for Animal Rights (ISAR) in 1992.

"ISAR is solemnly dedicated to keeping the issue of dog and cat overpopulation before the public until victory is achieved and humane societies can return to their purpose of preventing suffering instead of being exhausted by ceaseless killing," Helen Jones, ISAR Founder, said when the day was first observed.

Since then, rescue groups, animal welfare organizations, shelters and animal lovers have been coming together on this day to help homeless animals and raise awareness about adopting animals from shelters instead of breeders or pet stores.

On this day, here are a few quotes about animal rescue, courtesy Good Reads and AZ Quotes -

  • "Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever." ― Karen Davison
  • "Animals, they are one of the most beautiful gifts we have and, you know, if there are people that have compassion, there are very few people that put their money into animal rescue organizations. And if there is someone that has that passion, animals need all the help they can get." ― Alyssa Milano
  • "We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow us to impose such sufferings on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace." ― Albert Schweitzer
  • "Whoever declared that love at first sight doesn’t exist has never witnessed the purity of a puppy or looked deep into a puppy’s eyes. If they did, their lives would change considerably." ― Elizabeth Parker
  • "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man." ― Mark Twain
A caretaker at the dog shelter says they refuse to let them be adopted because they worry the animals won't be loved
Representational image. AFP / Mladen ANTONOV
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