Adopt a "Less Adoptable" Pet Week - September 17 - 25, 2011

September 17-25, 2011 has been designated Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week by Petfinder.com. Part of the title of this post is in quotations because, after writing the Saving Pets is a Business article, I cringed a little, calling pets "less adoptable." It's not their fault that they are on the Adopt Me list.

That said, I get it. Pets who have are missing a limb or eye, have a disease or are in their golden years are weighed against all of those adorable kittens and puppies. But every animal deserves a home and loving family, and the "less adoptables" deserve a closer look. I have written about what great pets FELV/FIV positive cats are, shared Rose's story, and readers have shared their amazing stories of their special "special needs" pets.

Sometimes the less adoptable ones aren't hard-to-place seniors or those with a  health-related challenge. Sometimes they are "less adoptable" simply because their fur is black or they are the "wrong" breed.

Through this awareness campaign, PetFinder hopes to change that. I love PetFinder. I have adopted and fostered pets using that site. I met Jane from Petfinder and she is warm, caring and passionate about pet adoption and making things better for animals everywhere. These animals have so much to give and this is a very worthy spotlight. Starting next week, I will be featuring stories from other About.com Guides who have, one way or another, adopted the less adoptable, and have many wonderful stories to share.

Whatever we call it, let's get the word out and market the value of these pets who have so much to give us and celebrate the human-animal bond. Check out the before-you-adopt resources from Petfinder to help promote the Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week.

Tell Us About...

• Your Special Needs Pet
• Your Senior Pet
• Your Adoption Success Stories

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