If you REALLY want to Help shelter animals
It's becoming more and more difficult to protect our animals,
particularly in the face of spending cuts at the local level although
we have noticed some real progress in some areas. The Knox County, TN
Young Williams Animal Center is an impressive example of that positive
change. Other counties around our own Blount County are beginning to
spend the money to affect positive change and deal with the problems
both humanely and effectively.
The problem is simply that pet overpopulation simply won't just go away
but will continue to just get much worse until and unless some
practical programs are implimented to reduce the population.
Encouraging local politicians to deal with the issues realistically (as
opposed to ignoring the problem until they are backed into a corner) is
part of that solution. We have to remember it's NOT the fault of the
dogs and cats who've been dumped, it's a people problem and it's about
showing some responsibility.
We've tried to get help and intervention from the national ASPCA, The
Humane Society of the United States, the national AKC and (yes, even)
PETA to lend whatever support they have in this area to help closing
shelters. We've tried to get their help in prosecuting individuals
who've been caught mistreating dogs, cats and other animals. Sadly,
these big, national organizations are much more interested in pursuing
their own political agendas and have little real time for shelter dogs
and cats. With the kinds of salaries these big shots demanding, getting
dirty actually helping the local shelters is not very likely. Their
corporate sponsors are equally satisfied with mouthing the right words,
staying politically correct, and avoiding the real problems and any
real committment.
If you really want to help, then get involved in local shelters, your
local and state SPCA chapters, transports, be a sponsor or be a dog or
cat foster and be supportive on the local level and do what you can to
really help. If you feel the need to contribute money, spend it on your
local shelter or contribute to your local rescues rather than sending
it off so that somebody can spend a wonderful summer counting pilot
whales while millions (8 million in 2004) of animals are being
euthanized here for lack of a home.
Talk is cheap and that's what these big outfits seem to be best at
doing. Please make your time and your effort really count for something
important and be prepared to make a REAL contribution.
There is some good information on programs that actually do work and
other helpful hints at this site:
www.bestfriends.org
Even if you're not quite ready to adopt a Boston of your own, you can
help a great deal for medical procedures for sick and injured
Bostonians with a special gift for a little dog, many of whom are too
old or too sick to be adopted.
Checks are always appreciated in any amount and if you're interested,
please call or email us for more information.
Some people aren't able to adopt but do enjoy sponsoring dogs. Without
donations and sponsors, we are limited to how much we can help these
poor little souls.
Rescue has also become a sanctuary for older, sick, disabled or
otherwise "un-adoptable" dogs. We have many living happily in
foster homes who're being made possible by your kind support.
They don't need to be a special needs dog to need a sponsor. All dogs
need sponsors and somebody special in their life. Dogs need
families too and they'll never let YOU down.