As Xmas approaches, businesses are all competing for your dollars. Even the NGOS and non-profits amp up their pleas b/c they know that it is a time of year when people are committed to throwing around some cash. Unfortunately it is also a time of year when well-intentioned people make very irrational gift choices, like the kitten or puppy under the tree. Pets are a long-term committment--cats can live beyond 20 years (avg 12-15), and dogs beyond 15 (avg 10-12). Very few people can imagine what they will be doing 1 year down the road, nevermind 5 or 20! So, if you LOVE animals so much but can't make that long-term committment (be realistic now!), here are lots of other things you can do to help them, as well as enjoy them in your life without making that committment. Animals at shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centres will be so thankful. Remember, they didn't choose to be born, abandoned, abused or given up. They deserve a good life too.
Donate:
•Towels, blankets, duvets
•Laundry soap, bleach, pet odor removers
•Good quality food (dry and canned), treats, litter
•Fresh veggies for small animals (rabbits, etc)
•Pet toys
•Money for spaying/neutering programs, foods and medications
•Paper for printing
(Check websites for wish lists)
Visit SPCAs, Human Societies or other shelters and:
•Pet, hold and brush the cats
•Pet, walk and brush the dogs
•Cuddle the small animals
•Hold and pet the birds
•Volunteer to take photos of new animals for their websites
If you would love to have an animal but can't provide a long-term home:
•Give a final home to a senior animal
•Give a final home to an animal with a terminal-illness (cancer, viruses, etc)
•Be a temporary foster parent for animals who have a good chance of adoption, but are too young, injured, pregnant, under socialized or emotionally stressed to survive in the shelter environment. This is a great option for parents who want their kids to experience animal birth but can't make the committment.
MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO:
•Vaccinate your pets (Parvo, FeLV, etc)
•Spay/neuter your pets (A single pair of cats and their kittens can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just 7 years!)
How to Help Animals for FREE!
How to Help Animals Without Bringing Any Home
Helping Animals
The Sexy Message:
The Reality Message:
Canadian Animal Assistance Team
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
International Fund for Animal Welfare
World Parrot Refuge (BC)
1 comment:
Orgh -- that last one's uber rude. "How should i know? YOU killed it."
Gotta love those PETA people. So subtle.
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