#LIGHTFORPETS Remember Me Thursday & Less-Adoptable Pet Week

Hey everybody, Truffles at the keyboard. I realize everyday what a lucky little girl I am. I was rescued from the streets and brought to the shelter last July and I found my forever home in August. I have yummy food and treats, warm beds and blankies, and a Mommy who loves me to pieces. I know that millions of kitties just like me aren't so lucky; they live without food, warmth, and love, and then either die on the streets or in a shelter because no one ever shows up to adopt them.

Did you know:

Each year in the United States 3.4 million orphan pets lose their lives without finding a home.

Yet only 30% of pets in US households come from rescue facilities.

That's why animal-lovers and animal welfare organizations across the globe will unite today, Thursday, September 25, 2014 (the fourth Thursday of September, annually) with a Remember Me Thursday pet candle-lighting ceremony. The candles, which will be lit on the exact same day across the world, will honor the millions of pets who lost their lives without the benefit of a loving home and shine a light on the millions of healthy pets who are still awaiting adoption. The Remember Me Thursday global awareness campaign encourages individuals to light a candle this day (literally or virtually) and to opt to adopt, reducing the millions of orphan pets euthanized each year.

Orphaned pets can't speak for themselves. We are their only voice. Spread the word about Remember Me Thursday on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels. Don’t forget to use #LIGHTFORPETS to share your thoughts and feelings about the importance of pet adoption.

Did you also know that Petfinder has designated Sept. 21-27, 2014 as Adopt A Less-Adoptable Pet Week? "Less-adoptable” pets (such as pit bulls, black cats and dogs, seniors, special needs animals) wait for a home nearly four times longer than the average adoptable pet does … sometimes more than two years!

The two lady cats that came before me, Sashi and Tara, were both less-adoptable because they were mature ladies of over 8 years old. I was only in the shelter for a month but may have been considered less-adoptable because even though I'm a tortie, I'm primarily black!

Every animal out there deserves a safe, loving home, so please encourage anyone you know who is thinking about adopting a new family member to take a second look at the animals who might be having a harder time finding their forever home.