There are so many homeless pets because unfortunately, many people do not think about the long term commitment, financial responsibility, moral responsibility (i. e. spay/neuter, heartworm prevention) and work involved when they bring a pet into their home. Every year millions of homeless animals, battle the dangers of the harsh outdoors – desperately seeking food and refuge from the elements when Mother Nature wreaks havoc. They are at great risk for disease and other dangers, such as being hit by a car or killed by a predator.
The lives of these animals are very different from those of the animals who found their forever homes. Nearly 7 million homeless pets die each year due to over population in the shelters (Dawnell 2003). People do not spay and neuter enough even when it is available for free or low cost, but low cost spay and neuter is not available in many areas. Animal shelters fill to capacity with unwanted and abandoned animals. Each day, they anxiously wait for some one to adopt them. Local animal shelters lack the funding to efficiently educate the public of this rampant problem.
Because of this surplus of unwanted animals and the lack of adopters available, thousands more innocent animals will meet their fate at the tip of a needle by the end of this year. I have always had an overwhelming desire to help animals. For a long time, I have been helping many hungry and injured animals. I decided long ago that I just couldn’t turn my back on the creatures that I love so much, even when I could not afford to help them. I would like to fight against over population and aid preventing the deaths of innocent homeless animals.
I have volunteered in one of the animal shelter which is near by my house. However small the amount of work it is, it matters a great deal to the needy pets. I can work as little or as much as I want, learning very essential skills. After joining there as a volunteer, I realized that there are many ways to assist animals, whether they are small or large gestures. The best thing we can do is adopt a dog or cat from your local animal shelter or rescue organization instead of buying one!
Never buy a puppy or kitten from a pet store, over the internet, from a “puppy mill” or from anyone whose primary objective is to make money (Gibson, 2006). Spread the word. Talk to your friends, family and co-workers and encourage them NOT to buy animals from any of these sources. Over 1,900 shelters, humane societies and pet rescue groups post their pets on our site and rely on us to help get those pets into loving homes. Direct them to this web site. Encourage them to adopt an orphan from their local animal shelter. Volunteers are a very important part of the animal shelters.
Volunteers are needed for all kinds of activities such as walking dogs, bathing and grooming animals, taking photographs of animals, assisting with special adoption events and many other tasks. Volunteers are a diverse group. They include professionals, homemakers and students. The only requirement needed to become a volunteer is a great love of animals and a concern for their well being. All animal shelters depend heavily on volunteers to provide general animal care, fundraising, and outreach services to the community.
Even if you do nothing more than regularly spend a little time at the shelter providing the human interaction and loving attention these animals so desperately crave, which would be a huge benefit for them! Donating is another way for those who are too busy to donate time. Whether it is a dollar or 100 every little bit helps to feed a homeless animal or give medical help to animals who would otherwise be euthanized. Cash donations are needed for general operations such as veterinary bills, dog and cat food, rent, utilities, kennel staff salaries, advertising, and mailing.
The funds collected are vital for the survival of the animals in shelters. So interested people can send their tax-deductible contribution to one or more fund. People can also help these shelters by donating food, blankets and other supplies needed for the animals. One can shop at sites that donate profits to animal causes, for example, buying the Neuter/Spay stamps from the US Postal Service (American partnership for pets), distribute information or simply help the next abandoned or hungry animal that arrives at your doorstep.
Animal shelters always have a need for caring people to provide foster homes for dogs or cats. As a foster caregiver, our care for a dog or cat in your home as if he or she were our own. Normally one can keep the animal until a home is found, and help find prospective adopters by bringing their foster to shelters weekend adoption shows. At shows, we have to answer questions about the animal and can ask questions to learn about the applicants. We have to provide food and daily care for our foster.
It started as a dream with a hope of making a difference for the many homeless animals in crowding shelters and surviving in the alleys, parks, and to end euthanasia of animals. I want to increase the number of adoptions of pets and enhance the quality of their life through humane education. The dream is becoming a reality.
Reference:
Dawnell Harrison. 2003. An End To Animal Cruelty. With PETA All Things Are Possible http://www. americanpartnershipforpets. org/latestinformation. html Jeanne Gibson. 2006. Homeless Animals Sometimes Make the Best Pets of All, Associated Content