Every year, animal shelters in the U.S. provide a haven for some 8 million animals. The work of the shelter staff is vitally important to the well-being of the helpless creatures they tend to, which include strays, injured and neglected animals, and those given up by their owners.

To recognize the staff’s tireless efforts, The Humane Society of the United States designates the first full week of November as National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

The ultimate goal of shelter staff is to find new homes for the animals. They also rescue and rehabilitate injured or abused animals and do detective work to reunite lost pets with their owners. It’s a demanding job, and many animal shelters are non-profit, relying on donations and grants to stay open.

As always during National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, the public is encouraged to adopt a pet, visit a shelter, or donate to a shelter to honor the dedication and compassion of the unsung heroes who try to make a difference in animals’ lives.

Watch the video above to see some of our classic animal welfare moments.

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