Raising awareness for the animals awaiting their fur-ever homes in the country. Written By: Jenna Webster | × A litter of puppies from Houston, Texas, arrived at The Babinski Foundation in Pequot Lakes Thursday, March 11, 2021. The puppies came from Houston PetSet, a nonprofit partnering with shelters in Minnesota and other states to rescue stray animals. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — If you've been looking for a sign to adopt a pet, this is it. National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30 is devoted to raising awareness for the cats and dogs waiting for their forever families at a shelter. Each year, about 6.5 million animals are dropped off at shelters, according to the ASPCA. That breaks down to roughly 3.3 million dogs and 3.2 million cats.