National Mutt Day is Friday, July 31; Tell Us Your Dog Story

By CHARLENE ARSENAULT (Patch Staff)

Lots of animal lovers argue that mutts make the best pet dogs.

In 2005, Colleen Paige, who is a celebrity pet expert and animal welfare advocate, decided to create a day to celebrate the mutt, declaring both July 31 and Dec. 2 in their honor.

National Mutt Day, according to the official website, “is all about embracing, saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs. The biggest percentage of dogs euthanized in due to the constant over-breeding and public desire of designer dogs and pure bred puppies that are sold to pet stores supplied by puppy mills that often produce ill and horribly neglected animals.”

The American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. And of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.

Each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats).

Mutt Day is celebrated twice a year, say organizers, in an effort to raise awareness about the plight of mixed breed dogs in shelters around the nation, and to educate the public about the many mixed breeds who desperately need homes.

“Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, better behaved, they live longer and are just as able to perform the duties of pure bred dogs - such as bomb and drug sniffing, search and rescue and guiding the blind,” said the announcement.

Visit a local shelter, or volunteer your time at one.

Below is a list of some area shelters and rescue groups:

• Buddy Dog Humane Society
• Save a Dog
• Greyhound Friends
• Stray Pets in Need
• German Shepherd Rescue of New England
• All Dog Rescue
• MetroWest Humane Society
• Baypath Humane Society
• Broken Tail Rescue
• Medfield Animal Shelter

Also, search for adoptable pets in your area by using Petfinder.

How did your mutt become part of your family? Was he or she rescued from a local group? Was your dog homeless and wandering the streets? We want to hear the stories of your adopted mutts, and want to see your photos, too. We’ll share your tales and pics on Patch. Email [email protected] or share in the comments section below.

Photo via National Mutt Day