Four Easy Ways to Help Save Dogs

     The majority of us feel sympathy for unwanted dogs.  The multitude of rescues and shelters tug our heartstrings with soulful pictures, horrify us with evidence of abuses, sadden us with statistics, and only occasionally can we see the "Happy Ending" for the furry creature in need.  So why do animals in need still exist if there are so many feelings of goodwill toward rescue work?  Because there are a lot of misconceptions floating about!

Photo by PawsThenPlay at Gaston County Animal Control

     I wanted to share simple things you can do to help homeless animals.  I think you may be surprised how effortless it can be!


4 Easy Ways You Can Help

1.  Next time you are at the store to buy some treats or a new toy for your fur baby, buy two and donate one to less fortunate animals.  Many stores have options on location to donate as you check out, in amounts as little as $1.  Some agencies will even take donations of gently used items (such as extra blankets for winter, or toys that your pet wouldn't touch)

2.  When you see a post online with an animal in need- share it!  It only takes mere seconds of your time.  Even though you may not be able to do anything, some one you know may be able to.

3.  If you do have some spare time, consider volunteering as a "holder" at local rescue/adoption events.  So many organizations have lots of puppies they would love to bring, but no one to hold the leashes or keep an eye on the puppy pens so must leave them at the facility or foster home, which means they are less likely to be adopted because they are not seen.

4.  Spay and/or neuter your pet.  The vast majority of animals at shelters are the results of unintentional or poorly planned breeding.  Almost every major city has low-cost spay and neuter clinics.

Foster Photo from The Greater Charlotte SPCA

     See?  No millionaire funding needed (although donations can help).  You don't need to quit your job to have enough time to help.  And you don't need to feel obligated to foster if your home situation does not allow.

     For those of you in the Charlotte NC area, I have the information to two local rescue organizations if you would like to help.  The links are provided below.  Just click on the name of the rescue, and it will take you to their website.  There are many many more, these are just the two I know people personally within the organization. :)   Anyone else who works with an organization, please feel free to add the link in a comment below so people can find you.

Greater Charlotte SPCA

Rescued Me

     Happy Training, and thank you for remembering those less fortunate than our own fur-kids!

Pet Population

     I have worked with and around animals for much of my life.  I have learned how to care for them: train them, condition them behaviorally, general health awareness.  As I became a trainer, I was reminded frequently that for all the issues I helped find solutions for the owners, I was helping save that dog from going to the pound.

     When I worked for a large company, I donated a few dollars from each paycheck to "save a homeless pet".  I was made aware that as a corporation it had saved "1 Million Lives and Counting!" through donations.  I saw the adoption groups that came into the stores on weekends with dozens of puppies, kittens, dogs and cats desperately searching for homes.  If I had completed my other duties, I would help the groups by holding a leash, or talking to shoppers about the joys of rescuing a dog, and how I loved my rescued dog.

Photos by PawsThenPlay courtesy of Gaston Animal Control

     When I worked for a small company,  I was too bogged down helping start the business to give much thought to rescue at all.  I was the only employee in the company. Our main focus HAD to be finding paying clients to start the new company.  One time the company decided to help a rescue by boarding and training a dog for a month at a slightly reduced rate.  The owner decided it was too much hassle when the potential adopters backed out suddenly at the completion of the training period.

     If I thought about it much at all, I figured I was "doing my part" to help stray and surrendered animals in my area by helping problem-solve for dogs to KEEP their places with the families they had.  


     What a minuscule piece I was contributing.  The problem is so much larger.  






A study done in 1993 showed that about 70% of people in the area surveyed were unaware of the pet overpopulation in their local area.

Do you know about the pet population in your city?  In Charlotte, North Carolina, one estimate is  162,482.341 pets.

Last year in Mecklenburg County, NC 17,880 animals were listed as "Incoming" to the Animal Care and Control facility.  Over 60% of those animals had to be euthanized.

It is estimated that $2 billion of taxpayer monies are used yearly to try to contain the serious animal overpopulation in the United States.

In the US, for every human infant born, there are approximately 7 puppies or kittens being born, and each day, approximately 10,000 humans are born.

There are local low cost and FREE spay and neuter clinics in Charlotte, and Gaston County (and many other places, but I looked up with ones were closest to me just to verify they existed).  There are also clinics for vaccinations.

     These are just a few of the numbers I pulled.  The links are listed below.  The reason rescue organizations can only save a few is because there are simply TOO MANY.  Until more people realize the gravity of the situation, and take decisive measures to control animal populations, there will continue to be millions of animals killed each year in shelters.  Please, spay and neuter your pets.

Sources:
 Public Data from the US Census Bureau
 Formula to calculate pet population from the American Veterinary Medical Association 
 Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control
 Humane Society of the United States
 Thebillfoundation
 Humane Society Animal League for Life of Madison County


*As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions.  click here for my e-mail address.