Designates May of each year as "Pet Appreciation Month" and third full week of May of each year as "Pet Adoption Week" in New Jersey.
The bill highlights the increasing importance of pet ownership and its benefits, providing evidence from health studies to support the argument that pet ownership can enhance physical activity and reduce stress. By calling attention to the positive impacts of animal companionship, AJR17 seeks to bolster community awareness about the responsibilities that come with pet ownership and the various ways in which pets enrich human life. Furthermore, it indicates a broader social aim of encouraging commitment to animal adoption.
AJR17 is a Joint Resolution that formally designates May of each year as 'Pet Appreciation Month' and the third full week of May as 'Pet Adoption Week' in the state of New Jersey. This initiative is rooted in the recognition of the significant contributions that pets make to the lives of individuals and households across the state, particularly in terms of companionship and emotional support. The resolution aims to foster a greater appreciation for pets and the bonds they create with their owners, promoting overall mental and physical wellbeing.
While the bill is largely symbolic, it addresses pressing issues related to animal shelters, such as the need for more adoptive families to alleviate the burden on these organizations. The resolution draws attention to the troubling statistics regarding animal intake rates at New Jersey shelters, noting significant euthanasia rates and the fact that many surrendered pets are relinquished for reasons unrelated to their behavior. The resolution calls for a community-wide effort to raise awareness about the situation of these animals, emphasizing the need for public support and involvement in fostering and adopting pets from shelters.