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
• adoption fees waived
• purchase two cats for price of one
• fostering a cat

Resources:

adoptapet.com

ASPCA

Local Feral Cat Groups

Petfinder.com

SpayUSA

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Not sure that I was as mature as Ciara at 12 years old. She is certainly a role model for other kids her age and for us adults too. As with anyone who has a pet, Ciara had the good fortune to grow up with a Golden Retriever, named Dakota. When Dakota passed there was an incredible void in her life. Instead of withdrawing after losing Dakota she volunteered at a local golden retriever rescue, Rescue a Golden, of Arizona.

But Ciara’s passion for animals did not stop there. She started a non-profit charity called Pennies For Pups.

“Pennies For Pups was founded to help raise awareness, money, medication and food for sick, injured and abandoned dogs in local animal shelters and foster care.”

Through Pennies for Pups she has established:

1. Annual weekly fundraiser at her school, Desert Arroyo Middle School.
2. Annual Book Sale and Dog show
3. Annual Four-Legged Food Drive

Yikes…..all at the ripe young age of 12! She most certainly is “a voice for the “bark” less”. Think she has a lot of MOXIE too…..”energy, nerve, courage & spirit!”

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”.

I am trying to sort out vacation plans for this year and I am having a difficult time thinking of leaving my cat, (Miss) Mia behind. Having said that I cannot imagine not seeing her for an extended period of time as the men and women in our armed services. How grateful and fortunate we are for their service to our country.

In steps an incredible organization, Guardian Angels for Soldiers Pets to fill the void of assuring service men and women as well as veterans that their beloved pets are well taken care of in their absence.  They are a non profit public charity completely run by volunteers.  And even better they are “Non-political, non-partisan, and do not support nor endorse any political candidates”.  Not sure if you agree but these politicians exhaust me. Thank God for our pets, our service men and women and this organization.

Guardian Angels has three programs in place:

1. Foster Home Program
2. Military Pet Assistance
3. Military and Veterans Pet (MVP) Sanctuary

How can you help?

1. Contribute
2. Foster a Pet
3. Volunteer
4. Other Ways to Help

If you are an animal lover and/or pet owner like me please do consider assisting this wonderful organization and our troops. It’s a win win I think!

Guardian Angels for Soldiers’ Pets

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