Whereas millions of cats and dogs are placed into shelters every year and hundreds of thousands of healthy, adoptable animals are euthanized; Whereas there are between 3,000 and 4,000 animal shelters throughout the United States in need of medical supplies, blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, food, and educational materials about owning a pet; Whereas increased knowledge and awareness of animal rescue programs throughout the United States will significantly reduce the number of cats and dogs euthanized and reduce the number of animals returned to a shelter who have been rescued; Whereas loving families welcome pets to their new forever home every day, but more adoption is needed; Whereas lowering the number of animals in need of rescue, by spaying and neutering, can help alleviate the overcrowding of the Nation’s shelters; Whereas supporting families’ access to housing and veterinary care can further reduce the number of pets surrendered or abandoned; Whereas years of animal abandonment has left thousands of homeless pets in overpopulated shelters and rescues; Whereas Charlie, one of the thousands of beagles rescued from a breeding facility in 2022, now has a bright future in the laps of his loving new family; Whereas a National Animal Rescue Day would encourage the adoption of rescue animals into loving homes; and Whereas the first Saturday in October would be an appropriate day to designate as National Animal Rescue Day to be celebrated through adoption events, festivals, and charitable giving which will increase revenues for shelters and pet adoptions: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives supports the designation of a National Animal Rescue Day to create awareness for animal rescue programs throughout the year and address the challenge of pet overpopulation through continued spaying and neutering.