Do You Need A Forever Friend? Attend A Dog Days Adoption Event!

The sad reality is that more than four million dogs are euthanized in the United States each year. The very sad reality is these dogs are not old, sick, or vicious – they are perfectly healthy puppies, full-grown dogs, pure breeds such as Golden retrievers and Labs, and mixed breeds that look and act like your favorite pet.

Lorin Liesenfelt, who lives along the shoreline with her children and rescued pets, is trying to do something about that harsh statistic.

Last year, Liesenfelt founded the non-profit Dog Days Adoption Events.

“We organize community adoption events for dogs,” she says.

Liesenfelt and other volunteers work first with Connecticut-based animal control officers, veterinarians, animal trainers and pet sitters to spread the word that an upcoming adoption event is being organized.  They have gone beyond the East Coast to find dogs for their adoption events.

“The goal is to have 80 dogs – all healthy, immunized, neutered or spayed, and seen by a vet, ready to be adopted at each event,” she said.

The 80 dogs are a mix of large and small, full-grown and puppies – all breeds, colors and personalities.

Those who adopt a dog (or dogs) at the Dog Days event pay a fee ($100-$325) to the party responsible for bringing the dog to the event (such as a specific shelter, etc.) and not to Dog Days. A home visit following the adoption is required.

Liesenfelt's company is like a party planner for dogs! They hope to have one event a month in different towns in the state.

Last October’s two-day adoption event in Guilford was a huge success, said Liesenfelt.

“All 80 dogs were adopted,” she said.

Those are 80 dogs who narrowly escaped imminent death.

“I do this because the rewards of seeing a happy family go home with an equally happy dog are there,” she said.

Liesenfelt is trying to make a small difference in the lives of dogs.

“It is heartbreaking to know that four million dogs are being put to death each year,” she said.

Americans are big dog lovers, she said, noting that more than 170 million of us own dogs.

“We need the public to become part of the solution and end this,” she said.

Because Dog Days is an all-volunteer and non-profit organization, Liesenfelt is always looking for volunteers to help with the adoption events and the many behind-the-scenes task.

“If you have a phone and a computer you can help Dog Days,” she said.

Go to www.godogdays.org for more information on upcoming adoption events, photos of dogs looking for homes, and information on how you can donate funds or your time to the group.