National Mutt Day—there are lots of ways to celebrate this annual day of recognition

National Mutt Day

What kind of dog is that?” If your furry friend is a mixed breed—aka a “mutt”—you likely have heard that question many times.

Maybe your dog came to you via your local dog shelter—80-percent of dogs in shelters are mixed breeds. Sadly, mutts in need of a home tend to stay longer at shelters; purebred dogs are adopted much more quickly.

Which is why in 2005, Colleen Paige, Celebrity Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, established National Mutt Day, observed annually on July 31. The intent of the recognition is to raise awareness of the wonderful qualities of mutts and in so doing help them find homes sooner.

Mixed Breed Dogs

According to an article published in 2019, mixed breed dogs tend to have longer lifespans than purebred dogs, and generally have better overall health, too. As the team at PetPlate.com notes, “Mutts come in all shapes and sizes, and have a veritable rainbow of coat colors and patterns to choose from. No two Mutts are alike, so your mixed breed’s unique features will likely turn some heads and earn plenty of compliments at the dog park.”

Whether or not you have a mutt, if you’re a dog-lover you can observe National Mutt Day by doing one of the following:

  • Make a financial donation to your local animal shelter.
  • Make a commitment to volunteer at your local shelter.
  • If you’re looking for a dog, consider adopting a mixed breed.
  • Consider signing up for a recurring monthly donation to the American Humane Society or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or to any of the terrific nonprofit organizations in this list.  
  • Do something special for your dog—mutt or otherwise: a long walk, a good grooming session, an extra treat, a freshly washed dog bed, or good ID tags.
Do something special for your dog on National Mutt Day

Whatever you decide to do, Happy National Mutt Day!

The top winning entries in our first photo & caption contest have been chosen.

Check them out here!

PS:
Take pics of your “mutt” and share your favorite on my Facebook page for other dog-lovers to enjoy!

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