LaTigresse
Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: WyldHrt quote:
I'm not sure I have the heart. It tears me up to hear things like this. When I get my foot fixed, I'm going to give some of my time to one of the shelters here. But I can't listen to any of the stories. I'm too emotional on this subject. I'd be crying all the time. Ain't enough Prozac in the world to deaden me to that suffering, and I'd end up in jail for assault if I ever caught up to anyone who abused an animal like that. A suggestion, HK. Volunteer with a rescue group or no kill shelter. You will still hear the stories, but it's easier when the animal who lived them is now safe and you can care for them. After getting my beautiful pit girl Nala (dumped by some motherfucker on a deserted road in the back hills at 9 months old, and nearly dead when rescued) from a local rescue group, I spent the next 3 years as a volunteer. I handled 'adoption weekends' and transports for the dogs and cats in the rescue's care, doing some training with the dogs to make them more adoptable. Had I lived alone, I would have offered to provide foster care for dogs and/or cats waiting for a home, but that was not possible. Most rescues and no kill shelters will jump at anyone who is willing to volunteer their time, even if it is just to get the dogs/cats out of their kennels for a walk or some play and socialization. If you are up for feeding/watering/kennel cleaning type duties as well, you will be welcomed with open arms for sure! ETA- I'm fairly sure that the piece of human garbage who dumped my Nala as a pup would have said 'It was just a dog' had he been caught. There was nothing 'just' about her. She shared my life for over a decade and was one of two amazing canines that I had the honor of calling my own. Shelters do love volunteers! Even if just someone that can come in and play with the cats or help tidy up. I've voluteered for several shelters over the years and worked with many larger, aggressive, dogs to help make them more adoptable. Just know, that if you (anyone reading this) does volunteer, you will have to harden yourself to wanting to bring all of the special ones home (this is how animal hoarding can begin) and also, to know, going in, that there WILL be heartbreaking moments. Wonderful animals that, for some reason or another must be put down. Delightful babies that you know have suffered at the hands of another.......but cannot take action personally. Perhaps even knowing of a person that is not treating their animals the way you feel they should, but local animal control officers found no reason to remove the animals. Alot of the above will depend on the shelter, animal control in the area, and the other people you are working with. It CAN be a VERY political little organization. Often run by strong willed women that are sure they know what's best........regardless of what anyone else says. Running a shelter can be an emotionally draining job, sometimes the managers show the strain in weird ways. I certainly do not want to discourage anyone at all. Just want people to go into it with eyes wide open. You have to focus on the sucesses and happy stories.
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My twisted, self deprecating, sense of humour, finds alot to laugh about, in your lack of one! Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!
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