In This Issue :
- Karyn Stratton
A Note From The Editor :
There are 14,429 animal-sheltering organizations in this country . 4915 of them are government-run ( shelters ), 9513 are organizations without a government contract ( rescues ). They share the burden of caring for the 6.3 million dogs and cats that end up homeless every year . I spent time with a few of those rescues this past month . The people I spoke with are too busy to even let others know about their daily struggles . They all agreed , though , that it ' s vital to keep raising awareness about this ongoing crisis . With many shelters adopting a no-kill policy , rescues - the ones without government funding - are overwhelmed , and simply have no more room . Raising money , for some , is a constant challenge . And dealing with people - even potential adopters - can often be difficult . One rescue wanted me to address the harassment they sometimes face . This post from Nikki Kirby of the Animal Rescue Fund ( munciearf . com ) in Muncie , IN , states it beautifully :
“ You ’ re just in it for the money .” " You don ' t care about the animals ." " Don ' t support ARF . I called them once and they couldn ' t help me ." If you ’ re upset with a shelter or rescue because you didn ’ t get the dog you wanted , or you think their adoption fees are too high , or we simply couldn ’ t help , I urge you to choose your words wisely and perhaps even with a bit of empathy for us . Because what you don ’ t know is we forget your words when we ’ re testing the new puppies for parvo because they ’ re vomiting and having diarrhea . We forget your words when we ’ re counting our blessings that the test is negative and it ’ s just worms , so we get to work bathing , weighing , and deworming them . We forget your words when we are holding a nearly lifeless kitten someone just found , praying that it can just find the strength to eat . If it can eat , it stands a chance at survival . We forget them when we ’ re holding the dog that was surrendered whose health has been neglected for so long and it ' s suffering is so great that the kindest thing we can do is help it pass peacefully , but not before it gets one last good meal and a kiss on the head . We forget your words when we tell our fosters goodbye through tears because they ’ re getting adopted . But sometimes , we do remember those words . And sometimes on the day where the test was positive , or the kitten didn ’ t find the strength to eat and died instead , or our fosters try to run back to us rather then getting in the car with their new home , we remember your words and we just want to cry , scream , or quit ; but we don ’ t . Because then the next animal in need comes in , and we forget your words for a minute and we remember why we do this . It ’ s for the animals .
In This Issue :
- Karyn Stratton
Pet Calendar of Events ............................................ page 2 Upcoming Pet Events ............................................... page 3 Around the Hydrant : News You Can Use .............. page 4 Fall Safety Tips ......................................................... page 4 Cats in the Construction Zone ............................... page 5 Health Highlights - Walking Your Dog ................ page 6 Breed All About It - Duck Trolling Retriever ...... page 7 Cute & Crazy Critters ............................................. page 8 Rescue Spotlight - The Lycoming County SPCA ... page 9 Adoption : A Loving Option ................................... pages 10 , 11 Pawsitively Delicious .............................................. page 12 Ask the Groomer - Hair Dye Risks for Pets .......... page 13 Win a Kong Dyno Dog Toy ................................... page 13 Subscriptions - Let Us Fetch Your Next Copy ....... page 15
On our cover :
" Laula and Arcau "
Thanks to
Jamie Street of Surrey , England
for providing us with their photo !
October
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