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

[chiara]

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.

I am an active supporter of Kaz's corner animal rescue, as well as the Clinic for Animals (my vet does private rescue www.clinicforanimals.com ). I donate food, cash, and items for when they have their garage sales (I also go and purchase/donate). I picked up my two kitties off of the street, and couldn't imagine life without them!

As mentioned, Humane Society is a scam, they claim to be no-kill but that's simply not true. Also beware of local SPCA groups, some of them aren't no-kill, either!

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by chiara

I am an active supporter of Kaz's corner animal rescue, as well as the Clinic for Animals (my vet does private rescue www.clinicforanimals.com ). I donate food, cash, and items for when they have their garage sales (I also go and purchase/donate). I picked up my two kitties off of the street, and couldn't imagine life without them! As mentioned, Humane Society is a scam, they claim to be no-kill but that's simply not true. Also beware of local SPCA groups, some of them aren't no-kill, either!

can I clone you?

[chiara]

Originally Posted by bagnshoofetish

can I clone you?

- love your avatar BTW!

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

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.

I actually am a zookeeper. and yes, it can be an all encompassing thing to get involved with local animal welfare. it can't be just something you do once in a while and think that others can take care of the rest. even at the zoo we get these volunteers that are gung ho in the beginning, then they see how much work and dedication it actually takes and they fall by the wayside. Its the same for taking up causes for local shelters.

[ETenebris]

Okay...I just hung up with Laurel. The good news is that she is "farming out" the dogs that are spoken for to area homes who can hold them for a week (the coonhound has been adopted by someone in New York) and she has managed to get a reprieve until July 1st on the euthanizing. The bad news is that they are flooded with calls for animals who are being neglected in the heat, and until they move animals around they cannot bring these sick and mistreated animals in. She will be sending an e-mail out tonight or tomorrow with what she has available, and I can post that here if you want me to. If you are out of the area and want to adopt, she will work with your local rescue and use the sort of "underground railroad" system to get a dog to you. If you have a rescue group or work with one, she can work to get a dog to you, as well. So I am going to see if the rescue here can help...at least I can probably take one (hubby says NO WAY, but I will work on him). Also they are hoping that the hoarder (who was stealing dogs as well as hoarding strays, and had 150 cats in cages in trailers with no air conditioning and had NOT cleaned up after them...the conditions were quite deplorable) will relinquish his animals so they can be placed with rescues or adoptive homes. If you have been considering an animal, this is a good time to open your home! And June is a slow month for adoptions because of moving and vacations. Let's do what we can to help these guys out!

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by ETenebris

Okay...I just hung up with Laurel. The good news is that she is "farming out" the dogs that are spoken for to area homes who can hold them for a week (the coonhound has been adopted by someone in New York) and she has managed to get a reprieve until July 1st on the euthanizing. The bad news is that they are flooded with calls for animals who are being neglected in the heat, and until they move animals around they cannot bring these sick and mistreated animals in. She will be sending an e-mail out tonight or tomorrow with what she has available, and I can post that here if you want me to. If you are out of the area and want to adopt, she will work with your local rescue and use the sort of "underground railroad" system to get a dog to you. If you have a rescue group or work with one, she can work to get a dog to you, as well. So I am going to see if the rescue here can help...at least I can probably take one (hubby says NO WAY, but I will work on him). Also they are hoping that the hoarder (who was stealing dogs as well as hoarding strays, and had 150 cats in cages in trailers with no air conditioning and had NOT cleaned up after them...the conditions were quite deplorable) will relinquish his animals so they can be placed with rescues or adoptive homes. If you have been considering an animal, this is a good time to open your home! And June is a slow month for adoptions because of moving and vacations. Let's do what we can to help these guys out!

do you see how overwhelming the situation is? and thats just one shelter! multiply that by thousands of cities. thank you for doing your part.

[chloehandbags]

Originally Posted by bagnshoofetish

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.

I know what you mean; unfortunately, some people are flighty and have no staying power.

Either that, or they've worked so hard that they simply run out of steam (which you can't really blame them for).

That's why you need a demonstration of overwhelming dissatisfaction; so the politicians are too scared, from then on, to go against it.

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

I know what you mean; unfortunately, some people are flighty and have no staying power. Either that, or they've worked so hard that they simply run out of steam (which you can't really blame them for). That's why you need a demonstration of overwhelming dissatisfaction; so the politicians are too scared, from then on, to go against it.

I love you to death but I've seen that too. The politicians will say what they have to to calm down the masses. Then its back to business as usual. They will never be too scared. Just scared enough to change their speeches. I am not an animal rights person, I am an animal welfare person and I've seen people spend too much energy "protesting" for the wrong things when they should actually be learning the truth and spending their energy in a more positive way - like actually taking part in the animals care.......
I love your spirit.

[ETenebris]

On the subject of volunteering, I go on weekends when I can to help out at the local Petsmart where we show the dogs and cats who are available for adoption. There are kids who come up and help out for a few hours...even just playing with the dogs so they don't get frustrated and bark, or taking them outside to "go" or walking them around the store to get attention is helpful! Last weekend Penny (the rescue "leader") had probably 20 puppies and 5 large dogs, all barking and going nuts. So even if you can take a couple of hours to go just spend time with a dog, it helps to socialize them and gives them attention, and when someone looking to adopt sees you playing with a dog, the dog is portrayed in a more realistic light than just sitting in a crate. Every hour helps!

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by ETenebris

On the subject of volunteering, I go on weekends when I can to help out at the local Petsmart where we show the dogs and cats who are available for adoption. There are kids who come up and help out for a few hours...even just playing with the dogs so they don't get frustrated and bark, or taking them outside to "go" or walking them around the store to get attention is helpful! Last weekend Penny (the rescue "leader") had probably 20 puppies and 5 large dogs, all barking and going nuts. So even if you can take a couple of hours to go just spend time with a dog, it helps to socialize them and gives them attention, and when someone looking to adopt sees you playing with a dog, the dog is portrayed in a more realistic light than just sitting in a crate. Every hour helps!

okay I need to clone you too!!!

[chiara]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

That's why you need a demonstration of overwhelming dissatisfaction; so the politicians are too scared, from then on, to go against it.

Yes, something like Hurricane Katrina, where they finally realized how ridiculous it is to expect people to evacuate without their animals! In Florida, we are seeing an increase in the number of hurricane shelters that accept pets - this was entirely due to public outcry! Everybody keep working, do whatever you can, we can fix this.

[bagnshoofetish]

Originally Posted by chiara

Yes, something like Hurricane Katrina, where they finally realized how ridiculous it is to expect people to evacuate without their animals! In Florida, we are seeing an increase in the number of hurricane shelters that accept pets - this was entirely due to public outcry! Everybody keep working, do whatever you can, we can fix this.

yes public outcry and alot of actual labor. bravo!!! they both need to happen, not just outcry/protest.

[bagnshoofetish]

you are all amazing. I wish there were 200 million of you. Keep up the good work and please inspire others to do the same. Little bits help but total dedication is whats needed here. The problem is too massive. I have spent a little too much time this morning of the PF! I'm looking at the time and I have a million things I have to do today! How addictive this place is! You all have a wonderful day and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your hard work and compassion.

[chiara]

Originally Posted by bagnshoofetish

yes public outcry and alot of actual labor. bravo!!! they both need to happen, not just outcry/protest.

Oh, and of course, the simplest, most obvious - spay and neuter! This alone will reduce the number of animals in shelters!

[ETenebris]

Oh...and SPAY and NEUTER your pets! I know little Fido is just the sweetest dog ever, but trust me...you can find another darling dog without breeding! Most of the shelters' problems are due to the HUGE pet overpopulation problem because if an animal is not altered it can reproduce exponentially in just a matter of a couple of years!

Edit: LOL Chiara! GMTA! Sorry for the double post!