House Resolution 11

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 18-24, 2015, AS "ADOPT A SHELTER PET WEEK" IN MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, by celebrating Adopt a Shelter Pet Week, the State of Mississippi acknowledges the inseparable bond shared between pet owners and their beloved pets, even those lost and abandoned, and encourage pet adoption at local animal shelters to raise awareness of the hardships felt by local animal shelters because of the faltering economy and an overpopulation of animals; and

WHEREAS, many of these animals are euthanized because they are not reclaimed by their owners or adopted by new owners; and

WHEREAS, young, healthy and friendly animals are often euthanized simply because there are not enough good homes for them, which emphasizes now more than ever, the importance of helping local shelters by adopting a pet; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, six to eight million homeless pets enter animal shelters each year with almost as many as three million animals being euthanized; and

WHEREAS, pet ownership has been proven to promote a healthy lifestyle by encouraging exercise and socialization, while analytical studies have shown that children who interact with pets have more self-esteem, enhanced social skills and can cope with their emotions in a more effective way; and

WHEREAS, adopting a pet from a shelter and caring for that animal for the rest of its life can help to responsibly reduce animal shelter overcrowding; and

WHEREAS, the United States and especially Mississippi have enormous problems with animal overpopulation, a problem that worsens as the economy declines as state and local budget reductions have the potential to increase the hardships faced by local animal shelters, threatening the lives of thousands of animals; and

WHEREAS, shelter animals are usually spayed and neutered before being adopted by new owners, thus reducing the problem of pet overpopulation; and

WHEREAS, animal shelters are focused on animal placement and providing low-cost adoptions, affording everyone who desires the experience of pet ownership the opportunity to bring a loving pet into their home and enjoy the warmth that adopting a shelter pet brings; and

WHEREAS, adopting a pet from a local animal shelter is one way the citizens of this state can make a difference not only in their lives, but in the lives of animals in need; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to bring attention to the great need for the people of this state to adopt shelter animals into their homes and families, so that they may know what it feels like to be cared for and loved:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby declare the week of October 18-24, 2015, as "Adopt a Shelter Pet Week" in the great State of Mississippi and encourage citizens across the state to provide a warm and caring environment to a shelter pet.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.