National Puppy Day: Annapolis Patch Readers Share Pup Pics

ANNAPOLIS, MD — At Patch, we love puppies every day, but we had to celebrate National Puppy Day on Saturday by asking for your pooch pictures. To celebrate our four-legged best friends, we're showcasing photos your neighbors shared with Annapolis Patch.

Have a photo to add? Share it with us in the comments or post it on the Annapolis Patch Facebook page.

National Puppy Day was first observed in 2006 for two reasons. First, the day honors the "magic and unconditional love" that puppies offer. In addition, it was designed to raise awareness about puppy mills, according to founder Colleen Paige, an author and celebrity pet and home lifestyle expert. Puppy mills breed animals for sale in conditions that are considered inhumane.

Meanwhile, there are thousands of animals in Maryland looking for homes. In fact, BARCS in Baltimore takes in 25 to 30 homeless animals each day.

About 3.3 million dogs enter shelters each year in the U.S., according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, which reports 670,000 of them are euthanized.

Here are some places to adopt pups near Annapolis:

• Howard County Animal Control and Adoption Center in Columbia
• Small Miracles Cat & Dog Rescue in Ellicott City
• Anne Arundel County Animal Control in Millersville
• BARCS in Baltimore
• Baltimore County Animal Services in Baldwin
• Baltimore Humane Society in Reisterstown
• Maryland SPCA in Baltimore

Did we miss your favorite rescue? Add it in the comments!

Includes reporting by Patch Editor Elizabeth Janney.