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No More Homeless Pets Forum
November 15, 2004 What One Person Can Do |
This week, forum members share their stories of what they (or another individual) have done to help animals in your community. Whether passing legislation, planning a creative fundraising event, or organizing a brigade to help the local shelter, their success stories will surely inspire others!
Ideas
Gift wrapping at Barnes and Noble and writing a column in a local paper
Teaching a writing class and using animals as the theme for the course
Starting a resale nursery of donated plants to fund spay/neuter efforts
Working on spay/neuter efforts by helping collect stats and raise funds
Saving pennies to sponsor animals in need
Getting co-workers involved in donating to the local shelter
Being a voice for animals in every day life by talking to your co-workers, family and media
Helping the animals at the pound so that no animal is euthanized
Volunteer when and where you can
Combination of ideas
Helping feral cats
Finding homes for stray cats
Gift wrapping at Barnes and Noble and writing a column in a local paper
Comment from Marilyn:
During the holidays our local Barnes and Noble Bookstore lets volunteers of non-profits wrap items bought at the store in exchange for donations to whatever agency the volunteer chooses. Barnes and Noble supplies all the wrapping paper, etc. For the last several years I've wrapped items at Barnes and Nobles and given the donations I've earned to local animal rescues. I not only help the rescues monetarily, but I get the word out about the beautiful animals that are up for adoption and the wonderful work the rescues are doing.Another project that proved successful was when I recently had a photography exhibit comprised of photographs I'd taken of a local rescue's pets. A portion of my sales went to pet rescues, and I collected donations for the month the exhibit was on. Most importantly, word of the plight of homeless and rescued pets got out.
I often write letters to the editor about animal related subjects. You would be surprised how many people read the letters and comment about them. At least I know I am getting their attention.
People have learned that I am an animal advocate (not activist, which I think can have a negative connotation), so I get calls from people who need help with an animal related situation. I know of some resources to which I can refer them for help.
Another way I try to help animals is by writing stories and articles about animals. The articles are all fact-based; some of the stories are fiction but contain facts about the animals even if the settings are fiction. Several have been published.
Volunteering at a local nature preserve has allowed me the opportunity to write a column for their newsletter. I take this opportunity to write about, what I call, the web of nature, which denotes how each and every living thing in the preserve depends on all the other living things and the importance of protecting the plants and animals that live in the preserve.
Most importantly, I adopt my pets from rescues or shelters and care for them to the very best of my ability. I make sure they get the best medical care I can afford, and I take the dogs to obedience classes so they are well behaved. I think that is where helping animals starts... in the home.
These all seem like small things to do, but I think any effort is worthwhile.
Teaching a writing class and using animals as the theme for the course
Idea from Heidi:
One person can help educate people, make them aware of problems regarding animal neglect and cruelty, move people to collaborate and work to make changes together... changes in attitude and hopefully resulting changes in action. Sometimes it just takes one person to speak out to get things moving.One person could, for example, write letters to the editor, begin an animal centered reading group or discussion group, speak at a local school or library children's program, speak at a local service organization meeting (Girl/Boy Scouts, Kiwanis, Rotary Club, etc.), speak at a local civic meeting (City Council, Town Hall meeting, etc.), start a neighborhood after school animal-centered kid's club (using resources from the Doris Day Animal Foundation for example).
I teach in a college first-year writing program, and we get to pick our own "themes" for our courses. I picked "animal rights?" this fall and used Matthew Scully's Dominion: The Power of Man, The Suffering of Animals, and The Call to Mercy and Martin Rowe's anthology The Way of Compassion as course texts. Students learn about effective persuasive language and researched argument while also learning about the realities of what's going on around them regarding animals.
I'm just me, but I'm able to reach multiple individuals, future leaders, planting seeds without forcing any issues (no one has to adopt a pet or become a vegetarian to pass my classes! They still just have to come to class, complete assigned reading, and write effective papers.) But people don't have to be teachers, or really good speakers, or writers to use their voices to help educate others about the need for compassion and care for animals. Speaking/writing/educating/persuading is something any one individual can do! They just have to be calm and patient and caring with those who don't respond as we'd like; at the same time they're being assertive and persistent!
AND they need to be well informed, up-to-date, and knowledgeable about the issue themselves.
Starting a resale nursery of donated plants to fund spay/neuter efforts
Idea from Celeste:
Keni Cyr-Rumble, the President of POPPA, Inc, started the Recycled Gardens, a resale nursery of quality donated plants near Portland, Oregon. There is also a barn on the lease-for-free property, and shoppers can also find crafts and garden art/supplies, all from at least 75% reclaimed or reused materials. Proceeds from Recycled Gardens fund POPPA's statewide spay/neuter referral and assistance service for needy cats, dogs, rabbits and other small pets. Since launching, Summer '01, POPPA's been able to help almost 8,000 patients who would otherwise be at risk for remaining intact and adding to the overpopulation problem.On just about any given day, Keni can be seen, by herself or leading a small team of other volunteers, watering, weeding or potting plants at the nursery or making crafts for our Winter Solstice Holiday Gift Bazaar. She also heads up Dig Days, visiting donors' homes to dig up perennials, bushes, and even trees to be trucked back to the nursery. She's not joking when she says the Dig Crew is "a bunch of Grandmas with shovels!"
POPPA's creed is: People working together CAN make animals precious again! Help POPPA wipe out animal abuse and neglect by promoting the spay or neuter of ALL pets.
And POPPA's motto's are: "Adopt your pets AND your plants" and "Adopt your plants and 'prune' your pets!"
Working on spay/neuter efforts by helping collect stats and raise funds
Idea from Barb:
Help End Animal Homelessness and Killing ~ Neuter/Spay and Keep Pets for Life!That has been my daily mission the past four years! While volunteering at a no-kill shelter, I quickly realized the urgent need to address the root causes of animal homelessness, including overpopulation. My focus turned to promoting and helping develop preventive, progressive, proactive and high-impact projects for spay/neuter and pet retention. I researched, studied, compiled and shared information, news and resources on a multitude of animal issues. When I needed further clarification on issues, I contacted animal experts nationwide. Thank you again to all who shared knowledge and time!
I introduced myself to animal control agency directors in major counties of my state, asking their needs and offered assistance and resources. I publicized their wishes, and animal volunteers stepped forward to donate, volunteer and make constructive suggestions. For my county dog control, I helped establish their initial neuter-before-adoption program. I proposed an Adopt-A-Dog Month celebration, collecting $1500 worth of raffle prizes from 20 vendors; and supplied a listing of off-leash dog parks statewide for their website.
I created a spay/neuter directory for my state [Neuter/Spay Assistance and Information ~ Oregon, Washington, Nationwide, http://neuterspayoregon.blogspot.com]. This has been highly useful both to the public and to animal people. To obtain a sketch of animal protection in my state, I did a neuter-before-adoption survey; collected statewide costs for animal control, private shelters and large rescues; calculated the per-1000-people-population shelter statistics for varying regions or counties plus the state as a whole; and created a database of animal-related resources throughout the state.
In January 2002, I started an online forum, End Homeless Animals-Oregon, to discuss taking action on statewide programs for targeted, accessible, low- and no-cost spay/neuter and pet retention. Animal workers and volunteers from around the state were invited. Participants included individuals from animal control agencies, humane societies, rescue groups, and other animal organizations. I provided reference materials on animal homelessness and overpopulation as well as information on model programs and 'best practices' around the country. Forum members 'met' animal people from other counties, facilitating networking and collaboration. I tracked and disseminated animal news, information and resources to assist animal groups with their work.
I initiated projects for Spay Day USA, National Homeless Animals' Day, the Neuter or Spay Stamp launch, and National Feral Cat Day. I recommended, did research and calculations, and worked to obtain a tax refund check-off for spay/neuter funding and animal-friendly license plates (AFLP) for spay/neuter funding.
One goal throughout has been to avoid duplication and reinvention, thereby enabling more animal groups to help more animals. Before a project, I research and ask to determine: has this been worked on before? is it needed? My extensive research and compilation of resources, information, news and studies has enabled me to respond quickly to hundreds of requests from groups and individuals locally, around the country, and worldwide via the AnimalResources segment of my animal volunteering.
I'm grateful for the progress that is being made and for the wonderful work being done by all to help animals!
Saving pennies to sponsor animals in need
Idea from Gina:
I am writing this along with my son, Christopher... my rescued Pitbull Jake... my lab/chow, Lucyann, along with my 3 ferrets and my 1 cat. My son and I started volunteering for WHITE SHEPHERD RESCUE. We have fostered 2 dogs and both have been placed in loving homes.However, I find my true calling is Pitbull rescue. No breed should have to be looked down on, as are the Pitbulls. Although we can no longer foster, we're "guardian angels" to a Pitbull in need. My son and I save all our pennies, nickels, and dimes over the entire year, then cash them in and send a check to a Pitbull he has selected. I call it my "Pennies for Paws" campaign. The money goes for various medical treatment(s) a dog may need in order to be placed on an adoption list. However, the "Pennies for Paws" cause can be used by others to assist any animal or foundation that serves animals in need. If a person were to throw pennies in a jar, by the end of that year one can see how the pennies have changed into dollars that can be so desperately needed! So please, save those pennies! They do come in handy! Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Getting co-workers involved in donating to the local shelter
Idea from Debbie:
I just joined the Best Friends forum and wanted to share what I have done in recent years to help the Central Texas SPCA, which is located near Austin, TX.I work in a large office building. Every year for the holidays, there are various drives for the local food bank, Blue Santa, family sponsorships, etc.; but there had been nothing for animals! So about six or seven years ago, I thought it would be fun to see if anyone would be interested in sponsoring a local no-kill shelter.
It started very small, with emails sent just to people in my section whom I knew to care about animals and a few flyers posted here and there. In both these announcements, I told a little bit about the shelter and posted their wish list. The first year (if my memory is correct) brought in about 200 lb. of food and $75, in addition to a nice collection of toys, blankets, towels, and other things the shelter needed.
Everyone who donates signs a card, and from this I compiled a database list for the next year. I also send e-mail to everyone who donates after the drive has ended to thank them, tell them the collective total of what was raised, and relate to them the gratitude from the shelter staff after we've delivered all the goodies. I also send all the donors another note transcribing the written thank-you letter that the shelter sends afterward.
Every year, the drive has grown, more people have wanted to help, and the donations have increased! I now post flyers in all the break rooms and public areas (not just in my small section). Last year, an astounding $686 in cash was raised, as well as 500 lb. of cat litter (no food was needed, because the shelter now has a contract with Hills), and a bunch of toys, treats, chews, and other supplies.
This has absolutely become my favorite part of the Holiday season, and I'm gearing up to start the next drive the Monday after Thanksgiving. Several people who have donated in earlier years have already asked me if I'll be collecting for the animals again!
About 2 years ago I started my own cat rescue group, and next year I'll retire from my day job to devote full time to this. But I've already been working on finding someone at the office to take over the holiday drive, since it's now become a bit of a tradition among the animal-lovers where I work.
If you feel this is worth sharing on the forum, please do so. If anyone would like to try something like this where they work, I'd be happy to share more details or a copy of the flyer I'm using this year.
Best wishes and Happy Holidays to all!
Being a voice for animals in every day life by talking to your co-workers, family and media
Idea from Danielle:
There is SO much that ONE person can do! We see these amazing people every day or our lives, and our history is filled with single people making a big difference in the world. The same can be true for the world of animals.In your 'spare' time, a person who loves animals or is otherwise involved with animal rescue can find time to draft letters to the editor reminding people about pet issues in their community. One quick e-mail to a beloved weatherman last year reminded thousands of listeners to bring their pets in out of the cold weather. I reminded him of the 3 Ps (pets, plants and pipes) and he continually used that phrase for weeks to come whenever the temps dipped low in our area. Letters to the editors of newspapers can be done online in most areas, too! Call, write or e-mail your local news channels and papers to give topics for reporters to investigate. SHARE your success in the animal world by letting people know about upcoming adoption events, fundraising efforts, heartwarming stories or just tidbits on pet health. Write press releases and public service announcements that the media can use to bring animal issues to the public's eyes!
If you are a talented writer and have a little more time, you can write a weekly or bimonthly column for your paper on pet tips for the season. Know a good vet or vet tech who can help? Great! Get pet issues in the news and in front of people! Remind them the benefits of spay/neuter and why uterine cancer is so bad. Don't just smack them in the head with slogans, share details about pet health and make a convincing argument.
In terms of fundraising, ONE person can make the world of difference! I've contacted a local restaurant to organize a pancake breakfast and made $1,000 with very little effort on my part. I had a few people help sell tickets, but the restaurant did all the cooking. You can sell items on e-bay to raise money, host a garage sale, make gifts in a jar, etc. You can buy some items at wholesale and sell them in front of a store (like Wal-Mart, Goody's, or a grocery store) for a donation. I've bought bracelets for $1 and sold them for a $5 donation. This takes little effort and can be done by one person, though having a friend to chat with and make you feel bolder in talking to people tends to help me. There are LOTS of ways to raise money to help animals.
And, if nothing else, BE THE VOICE for animals around you. Talk with people you know about animal issues. Remind your coworkers that Free to Good Home ads aren't beneficial to the animals. If you feel awkward about it, imagine how awkward an animal feels dying in a shelter because its time is up. If you overhear someone talking about breeding their animal, gently remind them the facts of overpopulation and encourage them to get more info.
One person can do so much in the life of one animal or in the lives of hundreds of animals. Never feel discouraged that you aren't doing enough, because if you've saved one life, then that animal is eternally grateful to you.
Good luck to one and all!
Helping the animals at the pound so that no animal is euthanized
Idea from Monika:
I live in a small town near Austin, Texas. Population is around 2,000; and animal control is handled by the small police department. The pound consists of four small outdoor concrete cells and is barely acceptable just as a holding facility for the state required three days.About two years ago the then police chief called me because he had heard that I was involved with a nearby No-Kill shelter and asked me to help them with a sweet Border Collie that had been impounded there.
I have been their rescue contact ever since. I feed, water and walk impounded dogs on days when I'm not working. I take photos of them and post them on the Internet with pleas for help from other rescue groups. Puppies come home with me, are spayed or neutered and stay with me until they find homes. Adult dogs are a little more difficult, and I often wind up having to board them while I look for homes for them. My vet is giving me a discount for my rescues. I have made a lot of contacts with fellow rescuers, and have been able to get donations for dogs that need more vet care than I could afford.
I am proud to report that not a single dog has been destroyed in my community since I started getting involved. Though I am not set up in my home to be able to rescue cats, the few that I was contacted about went to cat rescue groups or were adopted.
The only thing that I regret is that I have to keep my activity with the police department from the public. Our neighboring town has a No-Kill shelter and has become a dumping ground for unwanted animals. People, unfortunately, feel absolved of their responsibility if they know that their pet will not be destroyed when they give it up to a No-Kill shelter. If the people in my community would find out that their unwanted animals are safe, the amount of impounded animals would increase, and I would not be able to help them all.
Idea from Karen:
I'm mostly a one-person rescue in rural southeast Arizona. I noticed many homeless animals here and a tiny animal control. I convinced the County Manager and pound to allow me to transport dogs to Humane Society in Tucson and also to many breed rescues such as Desert Lab Retriever Rescue and Border Collie Rescue. This worked well, saving over one hundred dogs' lives until the staff changed at animal control. The new staff cannot grasp the concept of rescuing animals rather than killing and dumping them.Now I function as a safe alternative to animal control. Many people in the community prefer to relinquish dogs and cats to me and allow me to send these animals to non-profits for adoption as space permits. I also take in occasional strays and attempt to locate missing owners before putting these animals up for adoption.
The biggest recent success was placing four dogs on short notice for a family that fell on hard times and had to move in with relatives suddenly. With the help of Noah's Ark in Phoenix, which screened homes and took care of vet services. Their little Maltese with a broken leg even had her $900 surgery bill paid for by her new mom, who was also having surgery and was able to stay home with her new dog as they both recovered. The biggest help in my efforts to place animals in new homes has been my bare bones website at www.arta.petfinder.org.
Mostly, I do this work alone. I get occasional help. Most adopters that find me through the Internet are either in Tucson or Phoenix. I am getting some help from the experienced Husky rescue gal in Tucson, doing home checks in Tucson. I have one offer of help in Phoenix for doing home checks there. This collaboration allows me to do some direct adoptions. My next goal is to become a non-profit. Dog adoptions are going well, but I'm up to my earlobes in cats and kittens at the moment. Anyone have a good adoption venue for cats?
Volunteer when and where you can
Idea from Patty:
I think I help the community with animal control by volunteering at a local veterinarian clinic. I don't know how else I could help with the animals in my town since I don't drive (I am only 16 years old), and I don't live close to another animal shelter or clinic. There is a shelter about 5 or 6 blocks away from my house.Combination of ideas
Idea from a member:
1. Act on cruelty cases; insist that cases of animal cruelty be investigated and monitored by your local humane society, even if the cruelty is just suspected and not proven.2. Be aware of cases in your own neighborhood. Act on them ASAP.
3. If you are able, take in as many as you can care for after you verify that these "strays" are actually abandoned, feral, etc.
4. Check the "Lost and Found" animals in your local paper's classifieds daily. Be aware of what is running around loose in your area. Just keep your eyes open.
5. Be an incessant nag to whomever you know. Ask them to adopt from shelters before breeders, prevent more breeding with spay/neuter, etc.
6. Adopt only if you can afford to. Make sure "strays" aren't taken if the owner can be found. Run the free "Found" ads if you have any animals show up.
7. Contribute to your humane societies if you can. Send a thank you letter to the staff even if you can't send money; they need the encouragement very badly.
8. Look up others in your area who are also active in animal causes. They are great sources of information. You will also meet them when doing rescue. Make sure to keep their phone numbers and names. You will need them and you can offer them to others who need them.
9. Make contact with on-line sources if possible. Great info and encouragement available, even if you feel burnt-out.
10. Read, read, read any info you can find on these issues: feral cats, animal abuse prevention, health care for animals, veterinary advice, legal/political issues regarding animal rights. Be especially aware of legislation in your area and how it affects local animal populations.
11. Try to leave the sad stuff behind at the end of your day. Love the ones you have at home as much as you can. They are grateful and happy to be with you, even if you can't afford a palace. They are your true friends.
Helping feral cats
Idea from Lynn:
On National Feral Cat Day, 2003, four ladies got together and did tabling at one of the local pet stores to get information to the community to help feral cats. We are small in number, but since that time have gotten 170 ferals and companion cats spayed or neutered through low-cost clinics. Even though the clinics are quite a distance for us we feel it is in the best interest of the ferals especially that we get them sterilized to combat the over population of ferals and unwanted litters.We also try to educate people on the benefits of spay/neuter. We continue to grow and hope one day to have a spay/neuter clinic of our own locally. We have a spay/neuter assistance agreement form, so that when we get a contact from someone needing assistance with a colony, we go through the chain of command to get the job done. It has worked out very well now that we are a little more organized. It is a labor of love for ferals and cats in general.
Finding homes for stray cats
Idea from Donna:
What Can One Person Do... quite a lot I'd say...I was a member of a local rescue group for 2 years and recently have become a one-person rescue to help stray and homeless cats and kittens. In the past 2 years I've rescued almost 80 kittens and around 30 older cats. Although I am trying not to take rescue calls and am trying to educate the public on how to trap, neuter and possibly rehab these little guys to get them into good homes, I still find cats and kittens wherever I go. What can I say? I'm just one of those people.
Most of the cats and kittens I've helped have been feral to one extent or another. Initially when I bring them into my home, I crate them and sit in the crates and play with them to try to gain their confidence. I haven't found a cat or kitten that didn't have some spot on their body where they liked to be scratched, rubbed or tickled. Eventually I am able to put them on my lap. From there I rub my nose on their scent glands and breathe on their heads. For some reason, they seem to like that. Maybe it reminds them of their mother. I do these things because these are things the cats do to each other to show affection.
While I believe in trap, neuter and release, I also believe there isn't a feral cat out there who cannot be tamed. All it takes is time, patience, love and understanding. Of course it's a bit harder to adopt these guys out, as they bond to me and are shy of other people. But I've found a lot of 'cat people' out there who are willing to give these guys a week or two to come around and have had many success stories.
I should mention I live in Buffalo New York where the winters can be brutal. This is why I have such a hard time putting ferals back out. I'd rather see them in a nice warm house when the weather turns cold. It's funny, but most of my ferals appreciate being in a house more than my own cats who were born and raised indoors. I guess the ferals know what it's like to be cold and hungry, and they never forget.
I, like so many other 'animal people', wish I could win the lottery and build a wonderful no-kill shelter/sanctuary to help these poor beautiful creatures. Who knows... maybe some day.....
