Tips from the recent NAPRP teleseminar about increasing adoptions

For any of you who missed the recent teleseminar about increasing adoptions featuring Bonney Brown from the Nevada Humane Society, here are some notes taken by Susan Daffron, President of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals, who sponsored the call. FYI the slides from the call are still up on the NAPRP website, so go grab ‘em!

Here are a few tips from Susan’s notes:

1. Look for creative ways to get people in the door and make it easier for people to adopt from you. If you have a facility, Bonney suggests making it more inviting by changing the decor seasonally, keeping some animals in group areas, providing "meet and greet" spaces, and putting cages in walkways where people will notice them. Also make sure you extend your hours to times when people are off work. Make sure your adoption process is as streamlined as possible.

2. Look for ways to make the match. Instead of looking for ways people will "fail" screenings, turn it around. Statistically, most people don't adopt from animal shelters or rescue. Once you have people "in the door" (either physically or virtually) look for solutions people may not have thought about, so the adoption can proceed. People who want a pet will get it somewhere; find ways for adoption to be the best option.

3. Impulse adoptions aren't bad. Bonney pointed out that studies have shown that people who adopt an animal on impulse aren't any more likely to return it than other people. Many of us do things such as get married, have children, and countless other things based on impulse alone. So eliminating a waiting period to adopt, doing Super Adoptions, showcasing pets at PetSmart (or other pet stores), and having your pets available for adoption at events is not going to increase your return rate. Get your animals out there and make it easy for people to fall in love with them.

4. Having "sales" works. In retail, a sale gets people in the door. So do reduced adoption fees. Lowered prices are a great media "hook" so you can get free publicity. You can have the flexibility to offer lower adoption fees if you increase your fundraising and solicit more donations. The Nevada Humane Society has even had free adoption days.

5. Promote your animals individually and aggressively. The Nevada Humane Society runs promotions constantly. They have co-opted almost every holiday and used it as an excuse for an event or promotion to get more people in the door. Bonney says, "every challenge is an opportunity." For example, when you get 54 cats from a hoarding case, it's an opportunity to showcase those animals in the media. If you have a cat that isn't particularly friendly, run a special ad about her that says, "Could you love a beautiful lady with an attitude?"

The statistics are compelling. The Nevada Humane Society increased their adoption rate 53% in a year by lowering barriers to adoption (more stats are on their Web site).

With planning, you can too! Yes, all of the techniques require manpower, but with all the additional promotion and media exposure, it is easier to recruit more volunteers. Bonney also pointed out that you need to ASK for volunteers for very specific tasks and realize that they come and go.

Shelters – want to increase adoptions? Join this call tomorrow!

The National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals is an awesome community for anyone involved in dog breed rescue, cat rescue or who works for a humane society or animal shelter. They have both a free and a paid membership option and provide some excellent resources and support for all you’re doing to help animals! For example:

Tomorrow (March 24) at 1pm Pacific (3pm Central), they’re hosting a teleseminar for anyone who is interested, about “Increasing Adoptions" with Bonney Brown, Executive Director for the Nevada Humane Society!

Call details:

• Wednesday March 24, 2010 at 1pm Pacific Time, 3pm Central
• Phone-Number to Dial: 206-701-8388
• Use Conference ID: 178426#

Get the Handout!

Download the PDF before the call from the home page of the NAPRP Web site at http://www.naprp.com/ (it's on the right-hand side under Announcements)

About Bonney Brown:

Bonney is the Executive Director of the Nevada Humane Society. She joined the organization in 2007 and within a few months Washoe County went virtually no-kill. From 2006 to 2007, the NHS increased it's adoption rate by 53%. Despite a per-capita intake rate higher than many communities nationwide, NHS is the safest community of its size for dogs in the United States and one of the safest for cats.

In 2009, thanks to innovative programs and their commitment to saving lives, the humane society is enjoying a 93% save rate for dogs and a 95% save rate for cats. In 2009, they adopted 9,184 animals, which is an increase of 6% (549 animals).

Before joining NHS, Bonney was the Chief Operations Officer for Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. She also served as Best Friends’ Communication Director and National No More Homeless Pets Director. As the Campaign Director for Alley Cat Allies Bonney managed their Katrina rescue and recover project.

FYI Golden Paw members of NAPRP will be able to access a recording of the call for on-demand listening at your convenience.

We think this is a great opportunity to join other pet rescue professionals and learn from someone who has proven results. Check back in with us afterwards and share your thoughts about the call – we’d love to hear your great ideas for increasing adoptions too!

Emergency and Disaster preparedness for pets

News of natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes always serves as a reminder that we should consider our own emergency plans. And it’s not only catastrophic events that might require that you implement your plan – severe weather can easily create conditions that can escalate quickly into an emergency-response situation, and household emergencies can be triggered at any time.

And, improvements following Katrina notwithstanding, making sure your pets are safe and can stay with you is going to be a challenge.

So do as the Boy Scouts do and be prepared! A bit of planning now can save you a world of heartache in the event of a disaster or emergency.

Get informed

Learn about what you should plan for and do in the event of an emergency or disaster. There are plenty of good information sources online:

• FEMA information for pet owners
• ASPCA disaster preparedness
• HSUS Disaster Preparedness brochures

 Pet First Aid and CPR training

Remember, there is no 911 for pets, so your knowledge of basic first aid can be the difference between life and death, and it’s so easy everyone should know it. Here are some local resources:

• Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR course (Plano, TX April 25th) 
• PetsAmerica Basic Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Workshop
• PetTech instructors offer a variety of workshops
• CPR-Now CPR and First Aid for Pets (Dallas, Tx) 
• Petco online first aid course

Can’t afford the time or money for a class? Here are some useful books and DVDs:

• DVD - Pet first aid for cat and dogs
• A list of Pet First Aid books and DVDs on Amazon.com

Pet First Aid kits

There’s nothing worse than having to scramble and improvise when you know a pet’s life could be in danger. Even minor injuries are easier to deal with when you have the right provisions! Have a basic first aid kit at home and in your car (imagine being able to help an animal who has been run over simply because you thought ahead!).

You can easily (and cheaply) put together a kit yourself, or you can purchase an already-assembled kit (a bit pricier).

• Petfinder.com recommended Pet First Aid kit (build it yourself)
• A variety of first aid kits available through amazon.com – from as low as $15 and up!
• Comprehensive List of Pet First Aid Kits at wholesale prices

Emergency/Disaster preparedness kits

More comprehensive than a simple first aid kit, these are designed to help you through that critical first 72 hours or so after a disaster, when infrastructure is down and first responders are still working on stabilizing the situation. Comprehensive information and kits are available.

• Emergency and Disaster survival – pet survival
• www.fussycat.com – an awesome emergency evacuation and pet survival kit that is both a carrier and a litter box, and contains emergency supplies. Also, if you enter “American Humane” at checkout you’ll get a 5% savings AND AmericanHumane.org will receive $12 towards its work on behalf of animals!

Hopefully you and your pet will never need these resources but as always, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Being a responsible pet owner also means being a responsible neighbor.

Rebecca Poling’s latest Examiner article talks about the need for pet owners to consider their community, and points out that pet owners need to be held accountable for their impact on a community. A controversial article? Maybe for some, but teaching people to be responsible pet owners is what Companions For Life does, and part of being a responsible pet owner is being a responsible neighbor.

After all, pets are like kids – not everybody likes them (inexplicable though that may be to you, their doting guardian)… and although you might think yours are the cutest, smartest, most talented and most lovable in the world, not everybody is going to agree.

So while you think it’s sweet that Fido misses you when you go to work, the guy who works night shift in the apartment next door might be slowly going mad from the incessant barking during the day. And no matter how charming you think it is that your friendly feline likes to visit every home on the street, the family with allergies up the road certainly doesn’t appreciate the company. And NOBODY likes stepping in something undesirable on the curbside as they get into/out of their car, or having to cross the road to avoid an overexcited dog on “walkies”.

“Is all this really that big a deal?” you ask – YES, yes it is! A cantankerous neighbor could make your life a living hell (especially if he’s the President of the Home Owners Association, or knows your landlord) and may even be within their rights to demand that you surrender your pet or send the police around for noncompliance with municipal ordinances, like that old couple in Dallas recently. Or it could be worse – a ticked off neighbor could take matters into their own hands and injure, or even kill your pet in order to get rid of the “problem”.

Being aware of the constraints of living in an urban (especially high-density) area is important, and the closer the quarters, the more important it is to be considerate of others whether they agree with your love of animals or not.

And finally, as a pet owner in a city, you are an advocate for responsible pet ownership – how you (and your pet) conduct yourself can have far-reaching influence: pet owners who are perceived to be a nuisance, or inconsiderate, could be the reason why the Association votes to be a pet-free community at the next Board meeting, or quite the opposite – the more pet owners that prove they are considerate, clean and quiet, the better the options will be for neighborhoods, condos and apartments to accept pets without penalty.

None of us is an island - our actions have implications. Being a responsible member of the community will ultimately mean a better life for us and our pets!

Help Dallas Animal Services staff get the critical training they need to better help our animals!

We all want our animal control officers, shelter workers, veterinarians, and law enforcement officers to have the tools they need to improve the quality of care for shelter animals and animals in cruelty situations. To do their job well, these professionals need continuing education to satisfy licensing requirements, keep up with new developments in the animal welfare industry and to be more effective for our community’s animals.

But in this economy, getting that training can be especially challenging. Like so many other City departments, Dallas Animal Services' budget belt had to be tightened and as a result NO funds are available for training this fiscal year.

The good news is that many from Dallas Animal Services are asking, in fact, begging for more training, and you can help. A great educational opportunity for animal welfare professionals is coming up this Spring and Metroplex Animal Coalition, Companions For Life, and Dallas Animal Advocates are teaming up to raise money to send deserving Dallas Animal Services staff members.

"Texas Unites" is an unparalleled educational conference which begins March 26th in Austin. Co-hosted by the three largest professional animal care and control organizations in Texas - the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition, the Texas Federation of Humane Societies and the Texas Animal Control Association, "Texas Unites" offers 36 courses in four specialized tracks including Field Operations & Animal Cruelty Investigations, Shelter Operations & Placement, and Veterinary & Health. For four days, experts from across the state will be joined by professionals from HSUS, PetsMart Charities, ASPCA, to share their knowledge with attendees.

We think you’ll agree that our community's animal services workers should learn from the best in the industry about topics range from identifying animal cruelty and courtroom testimony to operational issues involved in large seizures and volunteer recruiting and screening to strategies for disease prevention in the shelter.

We need your contribution to make this education a reality:

• Your contribution of $25, when combined with three others, could pay for one night at the conference hotel
• Your contribution of $65 will pay for 1/2 the cost of registration for one staff member.
• Your contribution of $99 will pay for one night's stay at the conference hotel's special reduced rate just for conference attendees.
• Your contribution of $125 will pay for registration for one staff member for the entire 3-day conference including an inspirational keynote presentation by Texas own Kinky Friedman.
• Your contribution of $300 will pay for one double-occupancy room for two animal control officers for 3 nights
• Your contribution of $425 will pay for conference registration and hotel room for one staff veterinarian or animal control officer.

Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated. You can donate online using MasterCard, Visa, American Express or PayPal through the Dallas Animal Advocates website at www.dallasanimaladvocates.com - just click on the Donate button at the bottom left. Or send a check or money order payable to Dallas Animal Advocates, 11700 Preston Road, Suite 660-318, Dallas, Texas 75230-2718.

Please help us by sending your donation today. Early bird registration ends February 28, 2010 and hotel space is limited so we must reserve soon.

DFW Spay Day 2010 is happening in Feb!

Metroplex Animal Coalition is hosting its 2nd annual DFW Spay Day (which is actually a week long) where they will be offering 300 surgeries and vaccinations the last week in February, 2010.

Go to the website at http://www.dfwspayday.org/ for information on dates and times, reservations or if you’d like to make a donation towards the surgeries.

Not in the DFW area? No problem, check out info on the HSUS 2010 Spay Day at http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/spay_day/ and locate a Spay Day event near you.

Michael Vick and the Ed Block Courage award

You probably all know that the Philadelphia Eagles recently voted Michael Vick as their preferred recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. What a travesty! The Ed Block Foundation is dedicated to promoting awareness and assisting in the prevention of child abuse.  That objective is combined with the Foundation's commitment to celebrating players of inspiration in the NFL.  Each year, every NFL team votes for one of its players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award.  It is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in the NFL, and heralds the winner as an example of inspiration, spirit, and bravery.

WHAT where the Eagles thinking, nominating Michael VICK, the man who epitomizes the exact opposite of what the award should represent?!

Child abuse and animal abuse are perpetrated by the same time types of people (often the same people, as we all know that domestic violence and animal abuse go hand in hand, just as much as animal abuse often presages violence against humans): cowardly and craven bullies taking advantage of an innocent, dependent being. There is no-one LESS courageous than someone who abuses either children or animals.

Vick is NOT a courageous man – he is a cowardly creature who tortured and abused animals for pleasure and the approval of his equally degenerate peers. There's nothing courageous about bowing to peer pressure; there’s nothing courageous about abusing animals. And where's the courage when Vick, offered the opportunity to look the surviving dogs in the eyes, refused to step up even for that?? This is no hero, there is no courage. That man is the ultimate coward, through and through.

Please sign a petition against Vick’s nomination – it’s a travesty and makes a mockery of all the truly brave NFL players who deserve to be nominated, not to mention the real heroes – people who put their safety and peace of mind on the line every day to prevent animal abuse and those who rescue the victims. Sign to stop this prestigious award from being tarnished by association with the likes of Michael Vick - http://bit.ly/7pLfb6.

Even temporary holding conditions should be humane

In an update on the recent shocking case involving the seizure of over 20,000 exotic animals in Arlington, Tx it has been clearly established that the inhumane conditions in which the animals were being held lead to the deaths of over 1,600 and health conditions ranging from parasite infestations to starvation.

Besides the fact that these animals were torn from their native environments and callously traded for their exotic appeal at risk to their wellbeing (and in some cases, the wellbeing of the environments into which they were being introduced), even the most basic fundamentals of animal transportation were not being observed.

Whether transporting a pet, livestock or exotic animal, it is critical to ensure adequate food, water and bedding when transporting or holding animals, and to have sufficiently trained personnel on hand to monitor the animals’ wellbeing at all times.

Let’s hope that this company is summarily put out of business – their holding facility is such a health hazard, health specialists are recommending its demolition – an organization like should not be allowed to continue their cruelty and exploitation. Say what you will about PETA, who sponsored the undercover investigation, their goal to end the commercial sale of exotic animals around the world can only be a good thing.

Dallas Area Pet Stores Take ‘Puppy Friendly’ Pledge

Local animal lovers have been working with Dallas area pet stores to sign The Humane Society of the United States' puppy friendly pet store pledge — committing not to sell puppies, but instead support local animal adoption programs and provide literature that helps customers learn about reputable breeders.

These businesses are proof that selling puppy mill pets is not the way to a successful pet-related business, and their participation in the program will hopefully boost shelter adoptions as well.

Please show your support for these more humane businesses by boycotting stores that sell live puppies and kittens and shopping with one of these instead:

The independent retailers in the Dallas area that have recently signed the puppy friendly pledge to not sell puppies are:

• Big Paw Designs (online only)
• Canine Commissary (Dallas)
• City Pet Supply (North Dallas)
• City Pet Supply Oak Lawn (Dallas)
• City Vet Center Uptown (Dallas)
• Doggy Tug (Dallas)
• Downtown Dog (Dallas)
• Green Pet (Dallas)
• Lucca Bella Doggie Spa & Boutique (Dallas)
• Lucky Dog Barkery (Dallas)
• Perky Poodle (Dallas)
• Pet Supplies "Plus" (Dallas)
• The Dog Lofts Oak Lawn (Dallas)
• The Dog Lofts Uptown (Dallas)
• The Petropolitan (Dallas)
• The Pooch Patio (Dallas)
• Urban Paws (Dallas)
• City Vet Center (Flower Mound)
• Glamour Paws (Fort Worth)
• Every Dog's Day Canine Resort and Day Spa (Frisco)
• Prestige Pet Products (Grand Prairie)
• Pete & Mac's Pet Resort (Irving)
• Foxy Paws Dog Boutique (Plano)
• Pet Supplies "Plus" (Plano)
• Pete & Mac's Pet Resort (Plano)
• Woof… Cool Stuff Fur Dogs (Plano)
• Three Dog Bakery (Southlake)

THANKS, animal advocates and HSUS for this program that will help consumers make better decisions!

More information and action for you (links below):

• See more information about the “Puppy Friendly” program here.
• You can help get pet stores to sign the “Puppy Friendly” pledge!
• Find out what else you can do to fight puppy mills here.

Exotic animals seized in Arlington

I am not a pet!

Photo: Nigel Treblin / AFP/Getty Images

The largest animal seizure of its kind in the country took place in this week in Arlington, TX when as many as 20,000 critters were targeted for seizure from an exotic pet distributor Tuesday morning. Many of them were in appalling condition, starving or suffering from being kept in inappropriate conditions for their species; a large number were already dead when authorities made the raid.

The fact that the distributor ran a multi million dollar business trading in exotic animals for over a decade hints at the demand for such unusual “pets” in this country, and poses some unique challenges for animal welfare groups (and communities at large) when people cannot adequately care for their exotic charge. Some are simply released – into non-native habitats where they die because of conditions they are not meant to live in; or where they thrive and decimate native fauna and flora – sometimes to a dangerous degree (think of some of the African and Burmese pythons now cross-breeding with local snakes in the swamps of Florida). Some attack their owners or other people, while some simply die from neglect and ignorance of their unique environmental, dietary and social requirements. And some, usually involuntarily, are surrendered to animal welfare agencies who themselves are ill-equipped to assist in the care and re-homing of highly specialized animal species.

It’s bad enough that we have an overpopulation of everyday companion animals like dogs, cats and rabbits – but the additional burden placed on rescue and welfare groups when exotics are added to the mix pushes the system well beyond its already-strained limits.

Wild animals are not pets, people! It is irresponsible and inhumane to be capturing, transporting and trading exotic, non-native wildlife to be kept as pets or status symbols.

What you can do about this issue:

• Never buy or promote the ownership of exotic or wild animals as pets.
• Please support the awesome groups who have been pulled into this latest seizure: SPCA of Texas, Arlington Animal Services, and Humane Society of North Texas
• Get educated about the issue of exotic wildlife as pets by checking out the HSUS page - http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/exotic_pets/ 
• And let your elected officials know you support legislation such as the Large Constrictor Snake Trade Ban (recently approved by a Senate panel, now under consideration by the Senate). How to you do that? Check out the HSUS page http://www.humanesociety.org/action/now/ or the ASPCA page http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/lobby-for-animals/.

Our motto “No More Disposable Pets” means exactly that – no more disposable pets of ANY kind!!

Fun holiday gifts for pet lovers – for a good cause!

Looking for Holiday gifts for pet lovers?

Contemporary Cats has an awesome selection of accessories, bags and wallets, notecards and more – and they donate a portion of all sales to Companions For Life to help our humane education efforts!

Extra! Extra!

If you have other organizations you might want to support, check out Rebecca Poling’s latest article on great gifts for pet lovers that also benefit local shelters and rescue groups – from divine doggie treats at Sublime Bakery to Mousepads, Snowglobes and pet beds, your holiday shopping can mean more than just awesome gifts! Groups that benefit include Animal Rescue of Texas, Cat Matchers, Dog and Kitty City, SPCA of Texas, Homeward Bound Rescue and more. These are gifts that keep on giving!

Do you know someone who wants a new pet for Christmas?

Pets are like perfume, there’s a lot of chemistry involved in getting a perfect match, and many well-meaning gifts of pooches or kitties end up in shelters as a result of a poor match or because the time isn’t quite right. Instead of giving a pet, why not give a pet gift certificate instead? Many shelters offer gift certificates that can be used to cover adoption fees so that people can take their time and find exactly the right pet to love forever.

And… if you want something fun to wrap for under the tree, why not get a pet gift certificate from your local shelter or humane society, and pop it in a nifty little pet carrier like this one (from Contemporary Cats) – now they have something to carry their new friend home in!

Virtual Virtues!

Finally, if you’d like to directly help an animal, you can also make a donation on a person’s behalf – or sponsor an animal either in a shelter or at a zoo or sanctuary. This is a great way to help teach kids about conservation or animal welfare – many programs exist that provide an “adoption” certificate and information about the animal being sponsored, and sometimes also little plush toys that children can enjoy while learning about different animals.

Do you have any other suggestions for fun gifts that support a good cause or help teach humane values? Share them with us and inspire someone to make a difference - what better way to bring real cheer to the holiday season than with wonderful gifts that also help deserving causes – happy shopping!

How can shelters increase adoptions?

Dog training!  A recent article on the ZoomRoom website highlights new research confirming that even moderately trained dogs are more likely to be adopted from animal shelters. In the study, trained dogs were adopted about 1.5 times as frequently as dogs without basic training, corroborating the observations of the article’s author, that dogs in shelters “who exhibit friendly ‘pet-like’ behavior are the quickest to be adopted”.

Lola McKnight Co-founder of Shelter Animal Advocacy Fund, LA and Dog Trainer & Behavior Specialist completely agrees: “At the West LA city shelter we have an on going training program made up of volunteers and dog trainers. We work with as many of the dogs as possible teaching them basic obedience. Every time we show a dog who knows "sit" or walks well on leash, people are much more interested in adopting them. In addition, our dogs who participate in the K9 Connection program (at risk kids training shelter dogs) are also much more likely to be adopted.”

Prioritizing basic training for dogs at shelters is good on a number of levels: it keeps the dogs socialized and teaches them manners which, as we’ve seen above, makes them more desirable – but it also keeps them engaged and stimulated, helping prevent depression or other kennel-induced behavior problems that make it harder for a dog to find a home. And of course, for shelters that euthanize, adopting more dogs (faster) can mean fewer animals sent to the kill room.

How can you help? Well, the more volunteers a shelter has, the better its chances of being able to spare some resources to train the dogs – so do what you can! Walk dogs, train them, or just take on some shelter duties to free staff up to make this critical commitment. Fostering also helps – foster parents train and socialize dogs while caring for them in a home environment, helping to make sure they’re at their most adoptable.

So reach out to your local shelter now, to see what you can do to help them adopt out more dogs – helping a dog learn “sit” could save its life!

Children’s books you can use to teach compassion

In a world where violence and gore no longer elicit shock, it’s little wonder that some children are growing up thinking that it’s OK to abuse others, whether animal or human. But it’s not OK – and it’s the responsibility of parents, teachers and influential adults to help children learn and understand the concepts of compassion, empathy and humanity, starting as young as possible.

Stories are powerful tools in our humane education toolkit – reading to and/or with a child not only encourages literacy but helps to stimulate their natural curiosity, and introduces concepts of humane living in age-appropriate context.

The Institute of Humane Education has a new Children’s Literature section on their website, where they list some fantastic book suggestions for children of all ages. Options include fiction and non-fiction, picture books and chapter books – why not start by checking out the books listed under the “animal protection” category? There are some great Thanksgiving titles, or you could help a kid learn about adopting a dog, or why it’s not a good thing for cats to keep having kittens.

Come to think of it, some of these books might be useful for adults too!

 

Technorati Tags: literature,humane education,books,education,stories,library,animals,pets

Animal Rescue Volunteers – all they’re missing are capes!

Volunteers at a horse rescue – grooming, fixing fences and mending shelters – somebody’s got to do it!

Rebecca Poling’s latest Examiner article really sums up the daily heroic actions that animal rescue volunteers routinely take in stride.

Sometimes those heroic efforts are dangerous, extreme and all-out – when natural disaster strikes or yet another puppy mill is exposed and animals need to be airlifted to safety. These are the ones that make the news and thank goodness they don’t happen every day.

But more often, those heroic efforts are the daily gifts of time, attention, love and skill given by volunteers who sacrifice social lives, space in their homes and down time to keep the trains running in shelters and for animal rescue organizations nation-wide. These are the people who make sure animals are fed, cages are cleaned, prospective pets are socialized. These are the folk who put themselves out there to raise the funds that keep organizations’ doors open and animals alive. These are the ones who have to make hard decisions and take heartbreaking action every day because our society is conditioned to dispose of anything that is no longer convenient, and to blithely absolve itself of any accountability for the wellbeing of creatures in its care. These people are quiet heroes and deserve our deepest gratitude for their compassion, commitment and care. 

Everyone who takes a stand, who acts in defense of animals – however small that action – is a hero. Everyone who gives up something to make this world a better place for people and animals – no matter how small that sacrifice – is a hero. Sometimes it’s like holding back the tide, but every single person who keeps going and spreads compassion in the face of overwhelming odds every day is a hero.

The article’s last paragraph really sums it up: “Animal rescue is hard. It’s physically demanding and emotionally draining.  There is never enough money nor volunteers, and there is never enough time.  But they persevere. These are my heroes.”

Want to be a hero, too?  Volunteer, donate, foster or adopt. And if you work for a company that matches your donations or volunteer hours, take advantage of that to double your impact!

For more info:

• Volunteer match lists lots of volunteer opportunities with local rescue groups
• To donate visit JustGive and find an organization to support. 
• Want to adopt?  Check Petfinder for a list of area rescue groups and the homeless pets available now.

Using eBay for fun and (non) profit!

These darling little 18” diameter pet beds were recently posted on eBay as an eBay Giving Works charitable listing. That means that 10% of the proceeds from each sale will benefit Companions for Life.

First up, THANK YOU to spigem-1 for generously sharing the wealth (and Kudos for strategic placement of Model Chihuahua to showcase the fabulousness of your product – do the beds come ready-populated with one?!) – and thumbs up to eBay for helping people effortlessly do good while they indulge in some recreational commerce!

In fact, it’s so easy that over $126 million has found its way to charitable causes through the Giving Works program on eBay. So how can you get on the bandwagon? Well, buying something on eBay is a no-brainer with little blue-and-yellow ribbons identifying listings that support nonprofits, and it’s not just businesses who can donate a portion of their sale profits.

Anyone who posts something for sale can do it – so why not consider a charitable listing when it comes to selling that elliptical trainer that’s never been employed as anything but an expensive clothes rack or your ex boyfriend’s creepy boggle-eyed goldfish bowl. And in fact, you don’t even need to buy or sell something – if you’re still dipping your toe into the online auction space but you have a Paypal account, you can make an online cash donation of as little as $1 - or as much as your bank account can handle - to any nonprofit in the eBay Giving Works program!

Isn’t it great to do good without leaving home? Now go buy that pet bed – your pooch won’t be the only animal thanking you!

Here in this house...........

Here in this house...........
I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,
and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...
There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand,
I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...
I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...
I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...
I will belong.
I will be home.

(anonymous)

Canines, Cats and Cabernet on Sunday, November 8

Operation Kindness is North Texas’ largest and oldest no-kill shelter and they’d like to invite you to sip on fine wines, sample delicious hors d'oeuvres and bid on more than 200 outstanding auction items while mingling with fellow animal lovers at a benefit on November 8th.

It's from 3pm to 6pm at the Marriott Legacy Town Center (don't worry, the Cowboys play at night, so you can still get home in time for the game!) - for more information and to purchase tickets, please visit their website:
http://www.operationkindness.org/events/ccc_2009/

Garland taking steps in the right direction

Garland’s Mayor has been taking some positive steps to address the situation with the city’s shelter, as Rebecca Poling outlines in her recent Examiner article, but he’s got a ways to go and he’s going to have to be a champion change agent if he’s going to overcome the obdurate resistance of his own City Council. He has the support of the public, shelter management and even the shelter employees to improve shelter practices and programs, but he faces an uphill battle and is going to need continued public support as he tries to blaze a new, progressive path for the city’s animal shelter. We urge you to keep up the pressure on the City Council until they listen to their constituents and get with the program!

A group that works to unchain dogs

When Companions for Life worked with other animal advocates in the metroplex to champion the new city ordinances adopted in Dallas last year, one of those laws specified (among other things) that a dog cannot be tethered unless it is in the immediate possession and control of its owner – or it can only be tethered for no longer than is necessary (less than 3 hours) for the owner to complete a temporary task.

If a dog has to be confined outdoors, it must be in a fenced yard or other pen or structure that:  (i) is capable of preventing the escape of the dog;  (ii) has at least 150 sq. ft. of space per adult dog; and (iii) provides the dog access to the inside of a building, a dog house or other type of shelter.

In North Carolina, a positive, upbeat group of people called Coalition to Unchain Dogs is doing awesome work proactively reaching out to dog owners in that state and helping them comply with laws like this by building fenced areas in which a dog can live unchained.

Check out this video of one of their recent projects – it’s a joy to see how happy and grateful that dog is when his heavy chain is removed and he can run free! You can see more happy stories on their website - http://unchaindogs.net/tails.html.

These groups are doing great work – not only do they ensure spay/neuter services are provided to dogs they help, but their positive stance is more likely to change minds and open hearts of people who think it’s OK to chain their dog than just about anything else.

OTHER GROUPS WORKING TO UNCHAIN DOGS:

Fences for Fido

Dogs Deserve Better

Helping Animals

Mothers Against Dog Chaining

Chained dogs are unhappy, unsafe and dangerous – please don’t leave your dog tethered all day – find a group who can help you build a fence, and your dog’s gratitude and happiness will reduce your liability immediately!

Feral Friends Annual Fundraiser this Saturday

Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance annual fundraiser is this Saturday, October 3rd, from 6:30 - 9:30 at Artfest International. 

The lineup for the silent auction includes gift certificates for great restaurants including III Forks and Cantina Laredo, a makeup party at Elizabeth Arden, 4 tickets to Disneyland, a private wine tasting, symphony tickets, pet portraits, gift baskets and much more!  The evening's menu includes veggie hors de oeuvres, pasta and bread sticks plus two free drinks! 

Tickets are only $22 per person and are available on line.  Come on out and enjoy a night of fun in support of Feral Friends' mission to help control the overpopulation of cats in your community and help provide medical care and foster homes to adoptable cats and kittens.

For more info: Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance.

(Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here. Image courtesy of Urbancritter.)