The Dogs Without Name Tags

No two mixed-breed dogs are exactly alike, which is part of what makes them special.

July 31 is National Mutt Day, a day that celebrates mixed-breed dogs and encourages people to adopt them from shelters and rescue.

About 75% of dogs in shelters are mixed breeds, making them the largest group of dogs waiting for homes.

One of those dogs was Major Beans.

Major Beans was waiting for a home when someone decided to adopt him.

After his adoption, he became known online for his playful behavior and quickly became a beloved part of his family's daily life.

Sometimes the best companion is the one you never expected to choose.

Here are four ways to celebrate National Mutt Day while helping more mixed-breed dogs find homes:

1. Visit a Shelter Without Focusing on Breed

Many mixed-breed dogs spend longer waiting for homes simply because people arrive looking for a specific breed. 

Meeting dogs as individuals rather than searching for a particular breed can open the door to finding a wonderful companion who might otherwise be overlooked.

Major Beans found a home because someone focused on the dog in front of them, not the breed listed on a form.

2. Share the Story of a Mixed Breed Dog

Adoption stories often reach people who were not actively looking for a dog.

Every adoption story helps challenge common assumptions about shelter dogs.

Photos, videos, and personal experiences help people see what life with a mixed-breed dog looks like.

Stories like Major Beans' help more dogs get noticed and can inspire someone else to adopt.

3. Support Adoption Instead of Shopping

Mixed-breed dogs make up most of the shelter population.

Choosing adoption helps give a home to a dog already waiting rather than increasing demand for more dogs to be bred.

National Mutt Day was created to bring attention to the thousands of mixed-breed dogs still waiting for a home.

4. Help a Shelter Dog Get One Step Closer to a Home

Many shelters rely on community support to meet daily needs.

Not everyone can adopt.

Volunteering, fostering, donating supplies, or supporting local shelters all help dogs receive care while they wait for permanent homes.

Small actions can increase a dog's chances of eventually finding a family.

Major Beans' story ended with adoption.

For millions of dogs and cats around the world, that opportunity never comes.

The world's 600 million stray dogs and 87 million stray cats give birth to over 1 billion homeless puppies and kittens every year. 

Tragically, those who survive also reproduce, creating another generation of homeless strays and repeating the cycle of suffering year after year.

Breaking the cycle of suffering starts before the next generation is born.

This is why our mission is to end the #1 cause of suffering and death for dogs and cats — overpopulation — by developing a Cookie that will only need to be eaten one time, and it will, in effect, spay or neuter — without surgery.

With your help, we will end this suffering!

Please join us.

Yes, I Want To Help End The Suffering!

Thank you for caring and for helping animals.

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Sources:

[1] National Today

[2] National Day Archives

[3] Awareness Days