BLOSSVALE, N.Y. (NCC News) – While National Make a Dog’s Day may only be once a year on Oct. 22, some people celebrate the holiday everyday. Crystal George, the owner and operator of Paw for the Cause, Inc. has been doing just that for 15 years.
“We’ve adopted over 700 [dogs] since 2015,” said George. “It’s mostly puppies we do on occasion have adult dogs. But we adopt litters of puppies because they take up so much space in the shelter and it’s so unhealthy for them to be in the shelter, we can take ten dogs instead of one dog.”
George started her shelter back in 2004, and since then has aimed to give a fresh start to stray dogs from the southern United States that were at risk of being euthanized.
There’s a euthinasia problem in the south in particular. There is just an over abundance of puppies being euthanized in the south, “ George said. “…if there aren’t any homes down south, then we bring up to us.”
George has shelters for housing in her backyard, along with a quarter-acre “play area” for puppies to get some energy out of their system.
“They have play time everyday in the summertime…they are allowed to go out and romp and play with us, and kids come over from schools to play with the dogs,” she said. “That’s the best thing you can do.”
National Make a Dog’s Day is aimed to promote the adoption of rescued dogs from shelters rather than from pet shops or breeders, a testament that George shares passionately.
“They’re innocents,” said an emotional George. “They didn’t ask to be stray. So for us, for them, the best thing you can do is to come out and meet them. They’re great little dogs they all deserve a home.”
If you are interested in adopting a dog, Paws for a Cause is located at 7846 Lewis Road in Blossvale, NY.
