It’s National Puppy Day!

Today, March 23 is National Puppy Day!

It was founded in 2006 by author Colleen Paige, and adopted by other groups and organizations since. The idea is to create awareness in the important need of adoption, and on the abuses found in puppy mills.  Below are some ways to celebrate, thanks to nationalpuppyday.com

Adopt a puppy from your local shelter, rescue or pure breed rescue organization.

If at the present time you cannot adopt, donate money, food and toys to your local shelter.

Microchip & I.D. Tag your puppy so the shelter can locate you if he gets lost.

Organize a peaceful demonstration in front of your community pet store that sells puppies.

Write your Congressman and ask that he/she support the ban of Puppy Mills in your state.

Assist an ill or elderly neighbor by walking their puppy.

Host a community event to raise money for your local animal shelter.

Volunteer at your local shelter and offer to walk a puppy or play with a puppy, clean cages or anything else they need help with.

Give your puppy some fun exercise by taking him or her to puppy daycare.

Have a tee-shirt made with your puppy’s photo on it.

Throw out all your chemical cleaners and purchase non-toxic cleaners for your home to keep your puppy safe.

Puppy-proof your home and yard with a “puppy safe” inspection.

Revamp your puppy’s toy bin with new, clean toys and get rid of the old, bacteria infested ones!  You can even buy a fun, new puppy toy.

Install a car safety harness to keep your puppy safe during travel from

Switch to a holistic brand of puppy food to keep your puppy healthy.

Hire a pet photographer to capture your puppy’s fleeting moments.

Take your puppy on a pet friendly vacation.

Puppy-proof your pool to prevent the risk of drowning.

Buy a canine first aid kit and put it in your car in case of injury while away from home.

Make sure you have all required vaccines and a regular health exam.

Teach your children and their friends to be kind to your puppy by never pulling on his ears or tail.

Pledge to walk your puppy every day for proper health and behavior management.

Teach your puppy some fun tricks.

Install a fence around your unfenced yard so your puppy can run and enjoy some freedom at home.

Pledge to never chain your puppy to a tree or doghouse. Always include your puppy in your family by letting them live inside the home with you.

Lastly, pledge to NEVER yell at or hit your puppy…please be patient and kind and give your puppy lots of love and praise every day.