Pets in desperate need of homes by 6/24 - can you...??

[chloehandbags]

Originally Posted by bagnshoofetish

The sad thing about animal shelters is that the funding for them is so minimal. They simply cannot afford to keep all these animals alive and cannot always find homes for them all. So whats the alternative? Let them starve to death? Or stop accepting new animals so they can take care of the ones they have? Its a frustrating situation. The Humane Society DOES NOT give one nickel to any local animal shelters. They are the biggest scam. Look into that for yourself. The best thing anyone can do besides adopting these little guys is to start fundraising for your local shelters and get involved in adoption days. VOLUNTEER, VOLUNTEER, VOLUNTEER! The government isn't going to do much - they have bigger fish to fry. Alot of people always say they wish they can do something - well you can. Forwarding e-mails isn't going to do it - protesting isn't going to do it - ACTION is going to do it. You need to physically go to the shelters and ask them what kind of help they need. Even if its just helping to take care of the animals - these places need bodies. Please don't sit home and cry. Get up and do something. Organize your community to put together neighborhood fundraisers - garage sales, bake sales, car washes, whatever - and give ALL the money to these places. Organize adoption days with local businesses. Do something! Most everyone here knows I am an animal keeper. I love animals. But I get frustrated when I see people not doing anything and just feeling bad. You can do something. Get up and do it! Sorry so long. I am very passionate about this.

Very well said!!!

If the local no-kill shelters are better funded and therefore, bigger and better equipped; they will be able to take the overflow, or even take over, from the govt 'shelters'.

However, I would disagree that protesting doesn't work; I have seen a lot of evidence to the contrary. Particularly if enough people take part. Those politicians want your vote!

[chloehandbags]

Originally Posted by ETenebris

I am on the phone with the shelter right now...will post an update shortly!

Thanks, ET!!!

[bagnshoofetish]

^^^yeah, writing to your congressman or local officials won't get you much either. all they care about is getting re-elected. Government funding of any kind goes to people first (as it should). WE as citizens have to take care of the animals on our own. And its hard work.

[aarti]

what was that dog, it was a young one that was black and some type of labrador/collie mix?

[aarti]

i agree bagshoefetish, just submitted an application to volunteer with my local center here, its not much, but i should be getting a car by december, and then i can volunteer throughout the county. PLEASE do the same! i;ve worked with these animals before and its SO rewarding, and fun as well!

[chloehandbags]

Originally Posted by bagnshoofetish

^^^yeah, writing to your congressman or local officials won't get you much either. all they care about is getting re-elected. Government funding of any kind goes to people first (as it should). WE as citizens have to take care of the animals on our own. And its hard work.

I have edited my previous post to disagree with you, there! If enough people disagree with the status quo, the politicians will be falling over themselves to offer you an alternative; so that you vote for them.

One person writing won't do much, but thousands/tens of thousands, will.

There's power in numbers.

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

I have edited my previous post to disagree with you, there! If enough people disagree with the status quo, the politicians will be falling over themselves to offer you an alternative; so that you vote for them. One person writing won't do much, but thousands/tens of thousands, will. There's power in numbers.

I think my point is that the animals can't wait that long. Physical action needs to happen today. I wish I could convince my whole city to care. Meanwhile, we have to do something ourselves.

[chloehandbags]

Originally Posted by aarti

what was that dog, it was a young one that was black and some type of labrador/collie mix?

Sorry, which one do you mean? One from the Paw Paw 'shelter'?

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by aarti

i agree bagshoefetish, just submitted an application to volunteer with my local center here, its not much, but i should be getting a car by december, and then i can volunteer throughout the county. PLEASE do the same! i;ve worked with these animals before and its SO rewarding, and fun as well!

bounce.gif Yea! I hope this gets contagious. Just be prepared for alot of heartache but also alot of gratification too when you see some of these animals get adopted. You will see why alot of the staff have to be "cold". If they let their emotions get to them, they would be a mess. They see death everyday. As an animal keeper, I see animals get sick and have to be put down sometimes. Thats just nature. You have to give them the best life possible while they are alive.

[chiara]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

Most people can, true. To be fair, some people have things like depression and other relatively 'minor' psychological/psychiatric conditions that can prevent them from being able to work. Because the condition is relatively 'minor'; sometimes you can't tell just by looking at them.

I understand completely, and can sympathize with those who are mentally ill, or otherwise disabled. I was referring to the "baby factories" who continue to perpetuate this welfare cycle for generations. These are people who can surely help themselves, they are nothing more than a drain on the system, and I'm tired of paying their way in life. /end rant

[chloehandbags]

Originally Posted by bagnshoofetish

I think my point is that the animals can't wait that long. Physical action needs to happen today. I wish I could convince my whole city to care. Meanwhile, we have to do something ourselves.

Oh, I agree! Writing to your Congressman certainly won't save these animals' lives, but if enough people do it; it might very well save animals' lives in the future.

Basically, if people really care, they should try to fund (if they can possibly afford it), or volunteer at (if they can't, but have some spare time), local no-kill shelters; or, ideally, do both.

But they should also campaign to change things and if they can't fund or volunteer; they should still campaign/protest.

After all, the US is the biggest true democracy in the world. If you can't change things there, where can you change things?

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by bagnshoofetish

I think my point is that the animals can't wait that long. Physical action needs to happen today. I wish I could convince my whole city to care. Meanwhile, we have to do something ourselves.

also, I've seen politicians promise the sun and the moon and then after they are in office, ooops! Can't keep that promise afterall. They will jump through hoops to get re-elected. Its the follow through that is not guaranteed. As far as getting people to care? I've seen that wane too. It's very easy to get everyone on the right bandwagon but keeping them there for the longhaul is another thing. Everyday priorities begin to take precedent. "I need to make a living, I need to take care of my family" all very important. But caring for animals and their welfare is a full time job. Not a hobby or something to do when you have time for it. Just reality. That is why I finally got involved by volunteering first then actually getting a job taking care of them.

[chloehandbags]

Originally Posted by chiara

I understand completely, and can sympathize with those who are mentally ill, or otherwise disabled. I was referring to the "baby factories" who continue to perpetuate this welfare cycle for generations. These are people who can surely help themselves, they are nothing more than a drain on the system, and I'm tired of paying their way in life. /end rant

Oh yes! We have those 'factories' here, too!

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

Oh, I agree! Writing to your Congressman certainly won't save these animals' lives, but if enough people do it; it might very well save animals' lives in the future. Basically, if people really care, they should try to fund (if they can possibly afford it), or volunteer at (if they can't, but have some spare time), local no-kill shelters; or, ideally, do both. But they should also campaign to change things and if they can't fund or volunteer; they should still campaign/protest. After all, the US is the biggest true democracy in the world. If you can't change things there, where can you change things?

I'm sorry I'm so cynical. But things can change on paper. Doesn't mean they will change in actuality. After all I've seen, getting physically involved in the care of animals is the only way to help them. People work to get things changed then the interest wears off. Theres no follow-through. Its heartbreaking.

[chloehandbags]

Originally Posted by bagnshoofetish

also, I've seen politicians promise the sun and the moon and then after they are in office, ooops! Can't keep that promise afterall. They will jump through hoops to get re-elected. Its the follow through that is not guaranteed. As far as getting people to care? I've seen that wane too. It's very easy to get everyone on the right bandwagon but keeping them there for the longhaul is another thing. Everyday priorities begin to take precedent. "I need to make a living, I need to take care of my family" all very important. But caring for animals and their welfare is a full time job. Not a hobby or something to do when you have time for it. Just reality. That is why I finally got involved by volunteering first then actually getting a job taking care of them.

Very true!

We've got one of those in power, at the moment and another, even worse one, who wants to be!

Politicians here have become masters at promising to 'please all the people all the time'.

It's pretty worrying that they think we're that gullible.

Good for you, for taking those steps, but, realistically, I guess we can't all work in shelters. I'd like to sell up and run one, but some people just aren't equipped for it.

I think, for most people, the funding is really the key. Try to put aside $10 a month (or whatever you can afford) for your local no-kill shelter.