Help Animals in Need -- They Need You!

The weakened economy, the unchecked pet population, the inability to care for one's animals due to illness... these are just a few of the factors affecting companion animals in our country today. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 3 to 4 million pets go into animal shelters across America every year, and less than half get new homes. The Doris Day Animal Foundation estimates millions of other pets are simply abandoned, left to fend on their own in apartments, houses, urban streets and country roads.

Animal shelters, Humane Societies, and pet rescue organizations throughout the United States are stressed to the max with abandoned, neglected, unwanted animals, as well as those pets whose owners can no longer care for them due to illness, death or economic conditions of the pet guardian. What can be done?

These organizations are doing their very best to place animals into new, loving homes. However, there are things we, the general public, can do as well, and not all those activities involves adopting an animal. Some of us cannot adopt, but there are many other things we can do to help animal welfare organizations care for and assist animals in need in our own community or region.

Chester, the dog pictured on the left, was a handsome Springer boy who went into rescue and needed a new home. I helped him get there simply by being part of the team which delivered him to his new home. I have been involved with transporting dogs for various groups as those organizations seek to get the pet to its new home, or as the organization brings it from a kill-shelter (or even an abused owner situation) into a rescue situation. I've transported primarily Springer Spaniels, but also other breeds, large and small -- all these creatures have touched my heart with their need for love and companionship! I enjoy helping an animal get out of a terrible condition/situation into a loving, caring environment. This takes a few hours of my time every few months, and yet I know how critical this transporting activity is for the animal's welfare. Many people across the United States help transport pets from one place to another; without these willing partners, rescue groups (and the animals themselves) could not be helped. Transporting is a volunteer job -- you pay your own gas and don't get reimbursed for your time. However, the knowledge that you've done a vital service and helped an animal in need -- WOW, WHAT A FEELING!

Volunteers are vital to rescue and other animal welfare organizations, and there are many ways a person can volunteer. Some of these endeavors take lots of time, others take only a few hours a week. Even if you don’t have innumerable time to volunteer, you can still be part of helping animals in need.

Here are some ways in which you can help your local animal shelter, Humane Society, or animal rescue organization:
Donate time to walk and play with dogs.

Donate time to brush and play with cats.

Serve as a foster parent, providing a temporary home to injured or orphaned animals, those awaiting a new home, or mothers with very young kittens or puppies.

Transport pets going into new homes.

Assist with fundraising and other special events.

Help landscape and/or clean the facility.

Donate products, such as pet food, toys, treats, laundry soap and cat litter.

Donate money.

Collect aluminum cans, take them to your local recycling center, and donate the money you receive from that aluminum to the animal organization in your area.

And, don't forget your own pets -- make sure they are spayed/neutered so they aren't adding to the pet overpopulation problem; insure their vaccinations are up-to-date to protect them and other animals in your neighborhood, and please put a collar with ID tag on your furry friends so they can get back home faster in case they become lost.

Visit with a representative from the animal welfare group you’re interested in helping and see what their needs are that volunteers can provide. If you don't know what organizations are in your area, visit http://www.petfinder.com/, look up your state and city, and learn about the animal welfare organizations in your area. Then, contact them and let them know you'd like to help in some way and learn about the organization's needs. These groups rely on volunteers to help in many different ways. You will be amazed at the difference you can make in the lives of homeless pets in just a few hours a week or even a few hours each month as these animals await their loving, forever home!

Be part of the positive solution regarding the issue of pet overpopulation and pets in need by giving of yourself in some small, or big way!

Lend a Paw and a Hand!

Hard to believe Christmas is nearly here!

In the past few days, I've witnessed a number of distressing situations, ones which touched my heart deeply. Two involved animals, the other people. There's only a few days left until Christmas, and I hope each of us will do SOMETHING to help pets and people in need.

Today, I stopped by the Salvation Army to donate a few toys I'd purchased. There was a HUGE LINE filled with adults who were there to pick up Christmas baskets and other donated food products, as well as toys for their children. I could not believe the number of people in that line in this relatively small town of Casper, Wyoming! I walked out of that place with tears in my eyes.

Just a few days ago I took a lost dog to the Casper Humane Society. The little guy was frantically running around my block, getting up on people's porches and asking to come into their homes. He did that at my home, too. He was lost and looking for someone to help him, or hoping one of the houses was his. He had on a collar but no tags. After taking him to the Humane Society in hopes his family would find him there, I was driving back to my home and what did my eyes see? Another lost dog! This time, running in a very busy street! I wonder if either dog is home for Christmas?

Those of us who have our pets at home, our children at home, who still have our homes, those of us who have our relatives healthy REALLY need to be thankful and recognize our blessings this Christmas. And though money may be tighter this year for most of us, surely we can go to the Dollar Store and buy a few things, whether that be little toys, games, bath and beauty products, or pet toys and supplies, to donate to the Salvation Army and the Humane Society/rescue groups in order that people and pets in need will know they are cared about by others in the community. $5 at the Dollar Store buys 5 things to share with others - $5 is about the cost of a Starbucks Coffee or a lunch at a fast food place. Can we all give up one of those to help others?

Stop by your local Humane Society or Salvation Army this week and see if your heart doesn't break, too. And, when you see a lost pet, do what you can to help it. Maybe you can't put the ID tag on that pet, but if you know someone who doesn't have an ID tag on their pet, buy one for them this Christmas - your friend and your friend's pet will thank you if one day, Lord forbid, that's the pet running loose and lost and some good Samaritan helps it get back home.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to pets and people everywhere! Let's all do something positive to help our fellow humans and fellow creatures this holiday season!