The critical role that our fur family plays in keeping us grounded and reducing our anxiety has never been more evident as now! Some of the best news coming out of 2020 is the surging number of adoptions and fosters, and plummeting dog populations in animal shelters and rescues.

Thousands of Americans have stepped up by adopting, fostering, or even cleaning cages at their local shelters as social distancing, combined with reduced staffing, has closed facilities and sent adoptions online. Appointment-only and call-ahead adoptions, drive-up fostering, and curbside adoptions are some of the solutions being used to care for shelter pups during the pandemic.

• An estimated 6-8 million animals end up in shelters each year, half of which will not be adopted.

• 25% of dogs in shelters are purebreds!

• Most pups end up homeless through no fault of their own – the top reasons for giving up pets are "moving" and "landlord issues".

• When you add up the cost of vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, microchip, de-wormer, and other services included in your adoption fee, you'll be shocked what a bargain an adopted pet really is!

• Shelters and rescue groups can provide tips on everything from training to making your pup comfortable in their new home.

Now that you’ve decided to add a new member to your furry family, it’s time to do some research. What kind of dog will be the best fit? Doing your homework in advance will make your search easier and increase the chances that your new pup will be a happy addition to the family.

There are several websites that will allow you to explore the list of adoptable pups from the comforts of home. If for some reason you don’t find who you’re looking for right away, don’t be discouraged! Shelters and rescues receive new pups every day. 

Sometimes finding your perfect match requires meeting face to face. Amidst the COVID-19 environment, most shelters are still open, but appointments are required. If you’re unable to visit in person, many rescues are doing Facebook Live virtual tours and online meet-and-greets with available dogs.

When you adopt a pup from one of Scenthound’s animal rescue league partners, you will receive a voucher for a FREE Scenthound service as part of our Clean Start Program!

Many new pup parents are not familiar with the maintenance that is critical to the comfort and well-being of their new furry family member. It’s our objective, at Scenthound, to educate as many dog parents as possible on the importance of routine grooming. We focus on the five core areas where all dogs need care: Skin, Coat, Ears, Nails, Teeth (it's in the name). Our services focus on health, not just haircuts. Scenthound’s Monthly Clean Club provides a convenient, affordable solution for your pup’s basic grooming needs – we handle your dog’s monthly maintenance, so you don’t have to think about it.

Plus, it’s important to get your pup used to grooming as soon as possible. A monthly routine breeds familiarity with the process, facility, and staff, which greatly improves a dog’s comfort and experience.

Animals are a source of comfort, love, and stress reduction in this chaotic, unprecedented time. A clean, healthy pup gets more love and snuggles – good for dogs and people alike.