When choosing a new puppy, there's 1 factor more important than how cute he or she is.
Everyone loves puppies, right?
March 23 marks National Puppy Day.
Not that anyone needs extra reason to share pictures of adorable dogs, National Puppy Day devotes a day to do that and focus efforts on one of the big issues facing dog lovers: puppy mills.
A puppy mill is a commercially run dog-breeding facility that supplies pet stores with dogs, which are then sold to consumers.
Puppy mills often emphasize selling as many dogs as possible without caring much about the actual health and safety of the animals they sell. Groups like the ASPCA and Humane Society have been working to put an end to puppy mills.
Adopting from a shelter is a much more humane, affordable approach to pet ownership.
By adopting from a shelter instead of shopping at a store, animal lovers aren't supporting puppy mills. And on top of that, adoption saves a life.
Dog trainer Victoria Stilwell of Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog" used her Twitter account to voice support for shelter adoption.
As did Melissa Knowles of HLN's "The Daily Share."
If you're planning on adding a furry new friend to your life, save a shelter dog!
The Humane Society, Maddie's Fund, and the Ad Council have joined together to create a national adoption database.
Check out this heartwarming video by the Shelter Pet Project featuring "Scandal" actress Bellamy Young.