Aren’t these kittens adorable?! With it being the 1st of July the annual Adopt a Cat month of June for this year has now passed. But unfortunately that has not ended the urgent need for cat adoptions.
The weather is heating up across the country and kitten season is well underway. Adult cats come out from hiding and reproduce. On average, female cats that haven’t been spayed have two or three litters per year, with one to eight kittens per litter.
Shelters have limited space and are overwhelmed. This is compounded with communities suffering from natural disasters. And with the economic downturn people are unable financially to keep their pets.
Creativity is the operative word for how shelters are trying to reduce number of cats/pets waiting to be adopted:
low cost spay and neutering to reduce number of kittens
With “Stamps to the Rescue” being officially available today, April 30th another campaign is following on its heels, “Letters for Pets”. The effort is to continue momentum regarding the ongoing need for awareness of shelter pets and “to encourage the adoption of shelter animals across the country”.
“Our goal is to send 1 million messages to the White House asking for a presidential proclamation to declare April 30th National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day”.
Kudos to the national pet magazine Tails, Jane Goodall Institute’s youth organization Roots and Shoots which is promoting the letter writing in elementary schools. And Halo which is continuing the rallying cry from “Stamps to the Rescue” by donating 5 meals to shelter pets for each picture uploaded to the Tails’ Facebook fan page featuring your stamped letter.
How can the plight of a pug, named Puglet help make a difference in the lives of other pugs and pets that are homeless? Easy…..Puglet inspired his mom to share him with the world via post. The project helps bring awareness to people that “recycled” pets are just as good as “non-recycled” pets.
According to his mom, and fellow recycled K9, Dutch (the Dalmation) “Flat Puglet started out as just something to write about on the blog (Daily Puglet). Thought it would be cool to visit some of Puglet’s “followers” in other parts of the country”. As “the Flattie prototype” gained traction in public the light dawned that the “Flat Puglet might be able to do some good”. To date there are now 65 flat Puglets “getting around”.
I know I posted yesterday about Earth Day (April 22, 2010), but how can one resist a most engaging and adorable pug? Here’s to “recycled” pets and recycling….
There are so many ways to “GO GREEN”:
Spay and neuter.
Rescue and adopt.
Shop locally for pet supplies and research products.
Buy pet items made from natural or recycled materials.
Look for pet foods with “FDA Certified Food Grade” stamp of approval for the long term health and well being of your pet.
Purchase non-clay based cat litter.
Buy biodegradable poop bags for your pooch’s poop.
Remember EPA findings regarding spot-on flea and tick control products and purchase natural treatments.
After watching this video of Edie before she was rescued, memories came flooding back of the time I was going to the YMCA to exercise before going to work. There was a dog cowering at the top of the stairs. When I got to the top of the stairs his owner appeared and told me to “mind my own business” and I did. To this day that memory haunts me for not having reported the incident to Marblehead Animal Shelter.
Fast forward to this past weekend in Columbus, Ohio where the first annual pet bloggers conference “BlogPaws” was held. Unfortunately I was unable to attend. But, I was glued to my computer last Saturday pining for any information attendees would share. Out of that conference emerged a movement, a mission: “Be the Change”.
A friend of mine and dog owner mentioned to me recently in conversation that anyone who does not like animals is not worth knowing. What I do know and believe is that there are many loving pet owners and animal lovers.
Shelter and rescue groups are overrun with homeless dogs and cats. Space is becoming more limited. And as a result animals are being euthanized at a record rate. “Be the Change” is a simple cause to action by fellow pet owners and animal lovers to help shelter and rescue groups save the lives of these many homeless dogs and cats.
Volunteer
Donate: Time, Pet Toys, Medical Supplies, Gift Cards from Pet Supply Stores or Supermarkets, Kennel Supplies, Office Supplies
Foster a Pet
Giveaway:
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post (one per person and comments on this post only count toward the drawing) by noon EST on Friday, April 16.
Enter to win an Eco-Tech Dog Bed from pet-super-store.com. The contest was inspired by the “Be the Change” session, so add a link and comment (if you would like) to your favorite shelter or rescue (SEO) on THIS POST to be entered to win!
PS Don’t you just love happy endings I do?! Following is video of Edie’s adoption. There is some duplication the first minute so you can fast forward. I think Edie has a lot of MOXIE: “energy, nerve, courage and spirit”. Remember you too can help “Be the Change”.
Cal, the greyhound is doing his part with a public service announcement to help fellow greyhounds looking for adoption. Here in Massachusetts a law was passed effective the first of this year banning greyhound racing. Up to 6,000 greyhounds are unemployed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire alone.
This month of April is National Adopt a Greyhound Month. There are approximately 300 adoption groups throughout the United States with an ever growing need for adoptions as a result of racetrack closings. Many states are inundated with greyhounds especially in Florida.
According to Melissa Cook, of The Greyhound Project greyhounds are not plagued with health issues, do not need a lot of exercise and are easily trained due to life on the tracks.
I can say from personal experience that greyhounds although a large breed are very sweet and gentle dogs. A couple of friends adopted three greyhounds who have since passed on. If they were to adopt again it would definitely be a greyhound.
Deadline for filing taxes is fast approaching as is American Humane’s “Be Kind to Animals” Kid Contest on the same date, April 15th. I know what I would rather be doing. “Be Kind to Animals” week is May 2nd – 8th this year. The contest acknowledges those teens and children who show compassion to animals and help them in extraordinary ways.
Nominations are for two age groups:
Children ages 6-12 years old
Teens ages 13-17 years old
The winner in each age group will receive $1,000 and the runner up will receive $500. Winners will be announced during “Be Kind to Animals” week, May 2-8, 2010. Not bad winnings for such a fun and rewarding contest.
The contest is intended to instill a sense of responsibility, appreciation and love for animals. Some suggestions for helping to make a difference in animals lives yearlong:
Be an advocate for animals. Look at policies and legislation locally and nationally that have an impact on animals.
Respect and love. Show children the importance of animals in their lives.
Donate to your local animal shelter. Donations can be in time, money or needed items like blankets.
Gift of wildlife. Explore the great outdoors to really appreciate nature and know that you can share it respectfully with animals.
Report animal abuse. There have been many reports lately of how animal abuse is interrelated with other forms of abuse and violence.
Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue group. Many shelters and rescue groups are overwhelmed with animals looking for loving homes. One out of every four dogs in a shelter is a purebred.
Take care of your pet. Pets unlike children never grow up. They require constant care and attention. Maintain annual vet visits and vaccinations. Besides unconditional love there are many rewards to pet ownership.
Nominate someone you know for the “Be Kind to Animals Contest”:
Last year’s (2009) winners were pretty impressive. So put on those thinking caps and see how you can contribute to the betterment of the lives of animals year-round.
On March 24, 2010 Found Animals Foundation/@FoundAnimalsOrg will launch the national and international Pawdcast from Monday through Friday for 30 minutes from 4pm to 4:30pm PST. The objective of the Pawdcast is to bring more awareness of shelter pets, increase animal adoptions and lower euthanasia rates.
Segments will include: Hot Topics – global animal news Things Your Pets Want You To Know – tips and tricks Ask The Expert – live chat room
There will be special guests at the ribbon cutting ceremony March 24th so stay tuned.
There is a chronic need for pet adoptions daily. And fortunately some well known organizations and people are involved in bringing greater awareness of this need. This past weekend there was a “National Pet Adoption Weekend” sponsored by PetSmart Charities which was very successful. More than 16,500 dogs, cats and small animals are no longer homeless. The next adoption weekend is scheduled for April 30th-May 2nd, so mark your calendars!
Currently Martha Stewart is supporting the “Purina ONE Tour for Heroes”, February 3rd-26th. The “Tour” is stopping at local animal shelters to help pets in need with temporary food banks and adoption events. From January 15th- March 31, 2010 go to MarthaStewart.com/pet-adoption find an adoptable pet and share it with Facebook friends. Each time you do, Purina ONE will donate $1 worth of pet food to food banks across the country to help feed pets in need (up to $50,000 worth of pet food). You can also help with pet adoptions through “Twitter a Critter”.
I received an email last week from a former neighbor who moved to Key West with her husband and dog, Kate. Unfortunately Kate passed away at the age of 12 about a month ago. She lived a good full life and had loving parents. My friend Sue informed me that her husband, Bob just happened upon an adorable pup from a rescue in Miami. Sue still mourns the passing of Miss Kate but they now have an adorable pup named, Lucy. Not sure how anyone could resist Lucy!
I think everyday of how fortunate I am to have the gift of an animal companion. Miss Mia, my cat who is from a local animal shelter provides among other things unconditional love, companionship and demands for my time and attention. As other pet owners can attest to there are so many rewards to pet ownership. Having said that with the passing of Valentine’s Weekend perhaps those animal lovers who have considered getting a cat or dog would stop by at your local shelter and see if there is a cat or dog that tugs at your heart….
to “Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month” in this month of June. Petfinder.com and icanhascheezburger.com are collaborating to bring more public attention and awareness of cat adoptions. Petfinder.com also has listing of cat breeds that are currently available.
Then visit Icanhascheezburger to vote for adoptable LOLcats!
There are a host of reasons besides companionship to adopt a cat; affectionate, reduce blood pressure, can be left home alone. AmericanHumane.org offers additional guidelines for cat adoption.
And lastly, in follow up to my post June 17th, “Pet Abandonment gone “Viral”…?”, there is great news! Postina the abandoned kitty found in a mailbox has been adopted by a postal worker in New Hampshire.
In today’s Boston Globe there is reporting of an abandoned kitten. Pet owners under duress, please do not despair and remember there are many wonderful local, regional and national organizations that can help. Oprah has been a tremendous supporter and advocate of animal rescue and adoption. There is donated space in the July issue of O Magazine or go directly to BestFriends.org. Like BestFriends.org you can get assistance from The Humane Society, Animal Rescue League, Petfinder and the ASPCA.
