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Rescue Me
Posted by: jn at 2:34PM MT on May 24, 2009
 Every year, approximately 4 million pets are euthanized in shelters across the country. Most, for the simple lack of a loving home. Many of those pets were prior owned and surrendered to shelters for various reasons through no fault of their own. For example, their owner died, or moved to a rental home where pets were not allowed. Or, worse, simply abandoned.  And yet, many people are hesitant to visit their local animal shelters to adopt a pet. There is an unfortunate stigma attached to animal shelters such as horrific visions of overcrowding, unclean premises, understaffed personnel, rude and uncaring staff, sick animals, the very thought makes you cringe and cry and you simply cannot stomach the thought to visit. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Wrong. We have to change that stigma. Here, the HSUS presents a very brief but informative positive outlook on adopting pets from shelters. Read it and learn more, don't let fear or ignorance prevent you from saving a life (or two or three). The Adoption Process: What You Should Know Be open minded: Policies vary from shelter to shelter. Some are privately run and limit the number of animals they accept, while others are publicly funded and charged with taking in all homeless creatures. Wealthier organizations may offer more services and enrichment activities for their animals, other agencies may have enough resources to provide only basic care. But nearly all shelters have the same goal to find loving homes for their animals. Be prepared. You'll probably fill out forms and talk to an adoption counselor. If you rent, staff may ask if you have landlord permission, since "moving" and "landlord won't accept pets" are commonly listed as reasons for giving up animals. "It's not a judgment process," says Kim Intino, director of the HSUS's shelter services program, "it's more of a counseling process." Forgive the sounds and smells. An animal shelter is rarely an oasis of serenity. Barking dogs can be as loud as a classroom of teenagers, particularly in older facilities. "It has to do with the way the kenneling system is set up," says Intino. "But a louder kennel versus a quieter one doesn't mean that there's anything wrong." And though cleaning is usually a high priority, it's an unending task. Overpowering odors may be cause for concern, but the simple smell of dogs and cats is normal. Understand that staff might be stressed. Though many shelters emphasize customer service in their staff trainings, you may catch staff on a bad day. If you don't get the treatment you're expecting, try to be patient and remember that it's not the animals' fault--and nothing would make most shelter workers happier than sending a dog or cat to a forever home. (Learn more at http://www.humanesociety.org/adopt ) -------------- Adopt a Pet at any of the following Billings Local Shelter and Rescue Groups: Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter See available pets HERE Help For Homeless Pets See available pets HERE Last Chance Cat Sanctuary See available pets HERE BARK (Billings Animal Rescue Kare) See available pets HERE Or, see http://www.montanapets.org for more shelters and rescue groups
Posted by: jn at 2:13PM MT on May 24, 2009
The Ad Council partners with The HSUS and Maddie’s Fund in an unprecedented national campaign to spotlight shelter adoptions.
The organization behind such iconic public service announcements (PSAs) as “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires,” “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” and “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk” is poised to launch a three-year, $80-120 million effort to change the way Americans view shelter pets and boost adoption rates of homeless cats and dogs across the country. Those well-known slogans are only a few from past campaigns produced by the Ad Council, the nonprofit that, since 1942, has worked with ad agencies to develop public service messaging and provide the resulting ads to media outlets. Its previous work has included some of the nation’s best-known campaigns, stretching back to World War II’s “Loose Lips Sink Ships” and the Rosie the Riveter “We Can Do It” ads. The new campaign, due to roll out in mid-2009, marks the first time the organization has focused a nationwide campaign on an animal welfare issue. It’s also the first time an organization with the influence, prestige, and financial backing of the Ad Council has targeted the pet overpopulation crisis—and it’s partnering with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Maddie’s Fund on the campaign. Read the full article. (PDF file) About The Ad Council The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organization that marshals talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce, distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies in issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventive health, education, community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening families. About The Humane Society of the United States The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—on the web at www.humanesociety.org. About Maddie’s Fund Maddie’s Fund®, The Pet Rescue Foundation, (www.maddiesfund.org) is a family foundation funded by Workday and PeopleSoft Founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl. Maddie's Fund is helping to create a no-kill nation where all healthy and treatable shelter dogs and cats are guaranteed a loving home. To achieve this goal, Maddie's Fund is investing its resources in building community collaborations where animal welfare organizations come together to develop successful models of lifesaving; in veterinary colleges to help shelter medicine become part of the veterinary curriculum; in private practice veterinarians to encourage greater participation in the animal welfare cause; and in the implementation of national strategies to collect and report shelter statistics. Maddie’s Fund is named after the family’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer who passed away in 1997. Source: May-June 2009 issue of Animal Sheltering magazine. |
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Because life ain't worth living without the dog who sniffs the guests and the cat who shreds the toiletpaper. All things fun and educational in the crazy world of pets.
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