Feb 17 2009
A Pet in Need… (part 1)
I retired about a year ago, for health reasons, from volunteer animal rescue work. For the last 5 of the 20 years I worked in rescue, I had been running a rescue that I founded which focused on harder to place dogs. The situation for millions of pets in this country alone is dire. The economy is making it much worse, as many good, loving pet owners find themselves unable to care for their pets any more. So there is even more need for help of every kind at animal shelters and rescues (not to mention shelters and aid for people!)
Although I’d love to suggest you run right out and join a rescue now, I can’t recommend getting involved in animal rescue unless you don’t mind having your heart broken repeatedly, working hard without pay (only to then be accused of making money off the animals because you require an adoption donation), and seeing things that should never happen to any animal or person. Oh, plus finding yourself more deeply involved in the intricacies of the 3Ps than you ever imagined possible. What are the 3Ps? Peeing, pooping, puking, of course.
On the other hand, if you can get past all that, you will be entering one of the most rewarding phases of your life! You will never lack for love or appreciation. You will learn that when the heart breaks, one of two things can happen: you can become hard and cold and brittle, or you can learn that giving even more love is the glue that mends and warms your broken heart. If you choose that path, you become more pliable, more open, more understanding, more loving.
Not everyone can work directly in animal rescue. They don’t have the temperament, don’t have the health. Maybe family obligations hold them back, and many other reasons. But those who want to help, but cannot, have the ability to give a boost to those working in the front lines, so to speak. Yep, you can donate supplies, food, office/phone work, money.
For the most part, people can’t donate to everyone. Unless you are wealthy enough to donate to everyone you’d like to donate to, I suggest that you will have the most impact donating to the smaller, more local rescues and shelters. You can search online to find local rescues and shelters that share the same philosophy as you (we’ll discuss that in part 2). Adoptapet.com is a great place to start. Ask here if you have a specific question about helping with pet rescue.
In the meantime, here’s a kitty who could use a little one time help .
Spreading the word about the work rescuers and local shelters do is another way to help — sometimes it can help both by spreading the word and when proceeds go to help a rescue, as is the case on many CafePress sites.
Many rescuers use and swear by Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy for helping distraught, terrified shelter and rescue animals. Easy to give and sure won’t hurt.
And now it’s time to introduce another of my kitties, Sparkle.
Sparkle was found in city animal control, all alone, and only about 7-8 weeks old. One of our rescuers saw him as she was leaving with Lady Slipper , her mom, and siblings — and decided he just HAD to come along too. What a joy he is! And yes, she named him Sparkle because of his sparkling personality! When I decided to adopt him, I kept the name, since it fit him so well.
