To anyone who’s ever rescued a dog
Posted By:
AfSD™(ADVOCATE FOR SAVING DOGS™)
Advocate for Saving Dogs™ on Facebook
To anyone who’s ever rescued a dog
May 24th, 2010
Pam D’Addio
Whether you’ve picked up a stray, adopted your pets from a shelter or rescue, donated to help animals, or you spend your life dedicated to rescue work each and every day, you’re a wonderful light in the dark fight against pet overpopulation and euthanasia.
Shelter and rescue workers are reminded of the sad statistics each day:
millions of dogs euthanized in shelters each year
14,000 animals euthanized last year in Palm Beach County alone
60% of dogs who enter shelters euthanized due to lack of loving homes for them
up to 50 animals a day taken in at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control (more statistics)
It’s an overwhelming problem and one that can really weigh on the hearts of those who care so much. We hear about the Michael Vick‘s of the world. We see puppy mills
featured on television, and the news covers every disgusting case of
animal abuse as it unfolds. Most people ‘tsk tsk’ and feel sad for a
moment, but others roll up their sleeves and get busy to be part of the
solution.
featured on television, and the news covers every disgusting case of
animal abuse as it unfolds. Most people ‘tsk tsk’ and feel sad for a
moment, but others roll up their sleeves and get busy to be part of the
solution.
Quietly, behind the scenes, without any recognition, are legions of
amazing people who are making a difference in ways large and small.
They are the unsung heroes whose only ‘thanks’ is a sloppy, wet kiss
from a rescued dog or the tiniest tail wag of a frightened, beaten-down
canine soul who’s learning to trust again. And that is enough to keep them going when their hearts get heavy.
amazing people who are making a difference in ways large and small.
They are the unsung heroes whose only ‘thanks’ is a sloppy, wet kiss
from a rescued dog or the tiniest tail wag of a frightened, beaten-down
canine soul who’s learning to trust again. And that is enough to keep them going when their hearts get heavy.
It’s easy to wonder how your small efforts can ever help curb the
problems we face in sheltering. It’s easy to be discouraged as you hold
a trembling, sick, or injured animal in your arms and know how many
more there are. It’s devastating to know that an animal you could not
save has been lost. It’s easy to shed tears and be bogged down by the
vast numbers who need your help.
problems we face in sheltering. It’s easy to be discouraged as you hold
a trembling, sick, or injured animal in your arms and know how many
more there are. It’s devastating to know that an animal you could not
save has been lost. It’s easy to shed tears and be bogged down by the
vast numbers who need your help.
And yet, despair can be erased in a moment as you watch a long-time shelter ‘guest’ go home, or an abused animal slowly learn to trust you. You can make a difference, one dog at a time.
Every animal advocate, every shelter or rescue worker, every person who
donates, adopts, spays and neuters, or works diligently every day
should read this story when the going gets tough. It’s been rewritten
in many forms, but originally was written by Loren Eiseley, an
anthropologist.
donates, adopts, spays and neuters, or works diligently every day
should read this story when the going gets tough. It’s been rewritten
in many forms, but originally was written by Loren Eiseley, an
anthropologist.
One day a man was walking along a beach as the sun was rising
on the day. As he walked along the shore, he noticed a small figure up
ahead. As he got closer, he realized it was a small boy who was picking
up objects from the sand and throwing them into the sea. As he
approached, he said to the boy, “What are you doing?”. The boy replied,
“Throwing starfish into the ocean”. “But why?” asked the astounded
man. “Because the sun is coming up and they are stranded on the beach.
The tide has gone out and if I don’t help them, they will die”. The
man thought for a moment as he looked up and down the vast stretch of
beach covered with hundreds of starfish. “Young man, don’t you realize
there are miles and miles of beach and starfish along every mile? You
can’t possibly make a difference!” At this, the boy bent down to pick
up yet another starfish, walked to the water’s edge and threw it in.
“Made a difference to that one“, he said.
on the day. As he walked along the shore, he noticed a small figure up
ahead. As he got closer, he realized it was a small boy who was picking
up objects from the sand and throwing them into the sea. As he
approached, he said to the boy, “What are you doing?”. The boy replied,
“Throwing starfish into the ocean”. “But why?” asked the astounded
man. “Because the sun is coming up and they are stranded on the beach.
The tide has gone out and if I don’t help them, they will die”. The
man thought for a moment as he looked up and down the vast stretch of
beach covered with hundreds of starfish. “Young man, don’t you realize
there are miles and miles of beach and starfish along every mile? You
can’t possibly make a difference!” At this, the boy bent down to pick
up yet another starfish, walked to the water’s edge and threw it in.
“Made a difference to that one“, he said.
Thank you to those who make a difference, from the bottom of every rescued animal’s heart!
If you’d like to join the fight to save the lives of homeless, abandoned, abused animals, here are ways you can help:
Adopt, don’t buy! Purchasing a dog feeds the demand for more to be
produced. Adopt a shelter dog or one from a specific breed rescue
group. They rock, and will be forever grateful!
produced. Adopt a shelter dog or one from a specific breed rescue
group. They rock, and will be forever grateful!
Spay, neuter, and tag / microchip your pets. This will vastly cut down on the number of animals in shelters.
Foster. Check with local shelters who always need foster homes for some special dogs. Read more here.
Donate. Local shelters are always strapped for funds. The more money
they raise, the more pets they can save. Along with money, shelters
appreciate items they need and most post a wish list on their websites.
they raise, the more pets they can save. Along with money, shelters
appreciate items they need and most post a wish list on their websites.
Volunteer. Whether it’s the down-and-dirty, wonderful work of walking dogs, joining a fund raising team, stuffing envelopes or planning events, shelters need you and your amazing talents!
Advocate. Become involved in animal legislation by writing to representatives and making your voice and the voice of helpless animals heard.
Share. Spread the word by sharing articles and info on community shelter work and events on your social networking sites. You will find yourself meeting some great, like-minded new friends who share your vision!
Pick up that starfish! Know that every little act of kindness to animals helps. You can’t do it all, but we can all do something.
As the saying goes, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. It will be enough”.
AfSD™(ADVOCATE FOR SAVING DOGS™)
Advocate for Saving Dogs™ on Facebook
Please join me at Friendburst
I believe that every act of kindness, towards animals and people, makes a difference. All that both want in this world is to be treated with love and kindness, although animals are at the disadvantage because they can’t as easily seek it out for themselves. I have never had a dog but my family had cats the entire time I was growing up, all were adopted from shelters, and we still donate to animal charities whenever we can. Animals love us unconditionally…..if only most humans were like that, too.
I would like to “pimp” this for you. I think it’s an important message to get out. Would that be okay?
I have only one pet, & she is a rescue dog. Humane Society was on their way to pick her up from being abandoned at a fuel station in Utah. Right away got her vaccinated, tags, spayed. Thank you for your advocacy!
*2 Kudos*
This is what my ‘dedicated to animal activists’ should have looked like. And would have, if I had known better when I wrote it. Thank you… for the difference you’ve made. 🙂 For the animals, too. 😉
My message to everyone else is…if you are thinking about a new pet, PLEASE consider adopting, millions of perfectly good animals are being inhumane killed, mainly, ONLY due to overpopulation!!
I see all kinds, makes and models, and the pure breeds I noticed have all kinds of health issues. This is because the “gene pool” is rather very small. On the other hand, I noticed mix breeds to be MUCH healthier. This is because that “pool” is MUCH larger! 🙂
When you buy (especially simply for fashion) you are supporting the back yard breeders and puppy mills who only breed for profit. There is much more value when you adopt, in life, health, ad actually costs wise. The adopted pets leave shelter with vet exam, health check, micro chips, spay/neuter, and shots…all mainly under 100 dollars! 😉