Dogs drool on your couch. They greet you at the door. And most importantly, they adore the people around them with their kind puppy eyes and unconditional affection.
Friday is National Dog Day, an annual event founded in 2004 that aims to encourage people to adopt dogs and celebrate all pups, no matter the breed, according to the National Dog Day website.
"Our mission is to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort," the website says.
Animal shelters have seen a decrease in adoptions compared to last year, according to a report from the Shelter Animals Count National Database. The report predicts dog populations in shelters will increase by the end of the year.
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The Springfield News-Leader, part of the USA TODAY Network, spoke to an animal shelter in Missouri, which reported that financial strain, a return to in-person work and people who move and can't take their pets are likely why there are more surrenders in the area this year.
Despite the downward trend in adoptions, take a look at these lucky dogs that found new homes this year.
Doggy curiosity
Camille Fine is a trending visual producer on USA TODAY's NOW team.
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