National Mutt Day is about embracing and celebrating mixed breed dogs. They are the number one kind of dog in the shelter system because pure bred dogs, on a national level, are generally taken much better care of as they come with a price tag and are used for show or breeding purposes.

The biggest percentage of dogs euthanized each year are medium to large mixed breed dogs used to protect property and for nothing more. Many die from neglect such as starvation, illness, dehydration and inclement weather due to poor shelter. If they're lucky enough to be rescued from such an environment, many have been under-socialized and are not deemed "safe" for main stream society.

Still, there are millions of young, friendly and healthy mixed breed dogs who are desperately searching for a new home. One of the county's most famous dogs is Benji, the Terrier mix star of the Benji series of movies.

Mixed breed dogs are no less great than pure bred dogs. They are friendly, faithful companions that can do all of the jobs purebred dogs can do, including being therapy, police, guide, assistance, herding, agility, and flyball dogs. Many people believe that mixed breeds live longer and have better temperaments than pure breeds. Whatever the case, there is a mixed breed dog out there for everyone.

On National Dog Day in 2006, our goal was to save 10,000 homeless dogs across the nation - we exceeded that by over 12,000. In 2007, National Dog Day saw that goal raised by over 14,000 dogs saved through hundreds of Dog Day events nationwide. Our goal for this 1st annual National Mutt Day 2007 is to save another 10,000 dogs - so please visit your local shelter and find a new friend today! If you do...please send us a photo to place on our site and share with other dog lovers!

If you can't adopt a mixed breed friend on December 2nd, please donate at least $5 to your local animal shelter, as they all need financial assistance and every dollar counts! You can also volunteer to walk a dog, donate food and other supplies needed at your local animal shelter or make a donation in the memory of a loved dog on this site or with the Animal Miracle Foundation, the platform behind this and other animal lifesaving holidays such as National Dog Day and National Cat Day.

You can even host your own adoption event! Contact us if you have questions or need advice!