A Lucky Day for Shelter Pets: Paws for Luck Highlights Adoption on the Hill

The ASPCA and local animal shelters and rescues sprinkled a little St. Patrick’s Day luck across Capitol Hill, all in service of a heartfelt goal: helping animals find new homes. On Thursday, March 5, the ASPCA hosted Paws for Luck, a special, nonpartisan event that introduced lawmakers and congressional staff to a group of irresistible, adoptable pets from Washington, DC-area shelters and rescues. The gathering aimed to spotlight the lifesaving work shelters and rescues perform every day: providing safety, medical care and second chances to animals.

Capitol Hill buzzed as playful puppies and curious kittens greeted attendees, posed for selfies and melted more than a few hearts. Beyond the adorable moments, the event underscored the powerful messages that adoption saves lives and that shelters rely on community support to continue their critical work.

To show their support, 10 members of Congress stopped by Paws for Luck, joining more than 800 attendees throughout the day. Several guests took the first steps toward adding a pet to their family.

During the event, Congressional Animal Protection Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) met with shelter staff and posed for pictures with adorable puppies. Founded in February 2009, the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus is a bipartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about animal welfare issues in Congress. Through nonpartisan briefings and forums, the caucus highlights key challenges facing animals and advances discussions on upcoming animal welfare legislation.

We extend our sincere thanks to the members of Congress, staff members and following shelters and rescues who participated:

• Homeward Trails Animal Rescue
• Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation
• Operation Paws for Homes Rescue
• Brandywine Valley SPCA
• Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
• A Cat’s Life Rescue

We are especially grateful to the bipartisan Congressional Animal Protection Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) for their unwavering commitment to strengthening policy protections for animals.