Wish You Were There: animal shelters

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Save Millions of Pets: National Spay Day

Just a quick note to let you know that today is National Spay Day.

Shocking fact:

Each year, approximately 6-8 million homeless pets enter shelters that are stretched to the breaking point. Sadly, about half of those animals have their shelter stay end in euthanasia rather than adoption.

FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY:

For families that can provide a loving home for a pet, not enough of them can afford the surgery to prevent a litter from being born. That’s where you can make the biggest difference: Today you can team up with The Humane Society of the United States and our Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association to provide free or low-cost spay and neuter services for pets living with families in underserved
communities.

Last year, we achieved so much together -- thanks to our combined efforts, our staff and volunteer veterinarians spayed or neutered more than 32,000 pets.

GO HERE AND DONATE TO SPAY AN ANIMAL.

*By Joelle, who saw a horrible puppy mill pet shop yesterday and wrote a letter to the store owners, who should be ashamed of themselves.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Give an Animal a Home this Holiday Season

Feeling lonely? Want someone to go on long walks with? Or just cuddle and watch TV next to? Then consider rescuing a dog or cat and give them a new home just in time for holiday pictures.

www.petfinder.com is a fantastic resource for finding animals in shelters across the USA. There's lots of beautiful mixed breeds (which I prefer-both my dogs are healthy, beautiful mixed breeds). And most of all, you'll be giving them a new leash on life.

No need to spend thousands of dollars on a purebred- it doesn't make them any better. My purebred Old English Sheepdog and Golden Retriever both got ill at only 7 years old and sadly had to be put to sleep.

I went to my town's animal shelter this Saturday, fell in love with a little girl named Hazel and went back with my fiance on Sunday to convince him we should take her home. Unfortunately, we're both super allergic to her short hair. But I really wanted to rescue her because she has an incredible survivor story.

Hazel was found on the streets bloody and with deep bite wounds. But despite everything she went through, all she wants to do is give kisses and love you.

Playing with Hazel was my first experience really interacting with a Pit Bull. You hear all the horror stories, and yes many are mean but it's because they are TRAINED to be that way by stupid people. The first thing she did was greet me with kisses (and never stopped) and a waggly tail. She never growled, tried to bite me or do anything else these poor dogs are accused of doing.

In fact, Cocker Spaniels and Chihuahuas are more aggressive by breed then Pit Bulls. Pits have the same aggression level as everyone's favorite family pet, the Golden Retriever.

With that said, meet Hazel and contact the shelter if you can take her home! She's about 8 months old and 45 pounds (but it's all muscle- she's super small)!

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9878236

One of St. Francis' angels scooped this injured girl up and flew her to the animals shelter for care. With bite wounds and skinny body, Hazel (named after her angel's grandmother) has since healed and gained weight. Despite her previous ordeal, she has not let her past get to her. She is a very loving girl who longs for a sofa or bed of her own to curl up in while her human companions relax nearby. Playful, energetic, and quite a love (expect many many kisses!), Hazel is ready for her new, better life to start, so stop on by and become her new angel.