And here we go again…the usual New Year's rant… things I need to get off my chest before I can happily start a new year.
Once again, for the past few weeks, we have been inundated with sad television ads doing everything they can to ruin our “happy holidays.”
Sad, pathetic-looking animals are trotted out to show how abused and neglected they have been. Yes, unfortunately, this does happen far too often by far too many so-called pet parents and breeders.
Yes, the holidays are a time when people reach into their pockets to support the services that hold meaning for them.
That being said, there are some announcements that really offend me and the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is at the top of my list.
The ASPCA is still searching for the same 3,000 dollars in the next 30 days for the same endangered pictured animals, still hanging on (apparently) from last December. In exchange for a mere 19.00 a month, we will receive goodies from them that include a shirt proclaiming you saved an animal from starvation or worse.
May I suggest, ASPCA, that you cut your CEO’s salary in half, reduce your advertising budget, and quit giving away stuff? You could save those animals yourself.
I am an animal lover, but not necessarily a lover of all the organizations proclaiming to provide life-saving services. And if you want my money and support, you might start by informing me of how many animals you have helped, homed, and fed.
Here in our community, we have several options to save local pets. We know where the money goes, whom it benefits, and how we can help with donations, fostering, and volunteering.
Our local Joint Animal Service Organization is a perfect example. This one-stop-shop provides pets for adoption, help with neutering costs, the surrendering of pets, information on help with veterinary costs, lost and found pets, licensing, and more.
They help the animals and citizens of Thurston County. Established in 1977, they are funded by the cities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and unincorporated Thurston County.
For more information, click on the following link:
https://jointanimalservices.org/
Concern for Animals
Assists with spaying/neutering and emergency medical costs and has a pet food bank.
https://www.concernforanimals.org/
Covenant Creatures
Provides basic veterinary services and pet products to low-income and homeless pet owners.
https://www.covenantcreatures.com/contact.html
Feline Friends
Serving Thurston and Mason counties, has cats and kittens available for adoption.
Hooved Animal Rescue
Provides support for animals that have been impounded by local law enforcement pending prosecution of the owners for neglect and/or abuse. They often have horses and other livestock available for adoption.
SNAP (Spay/Neuter All Pets) is a non-profit group dedicated to reducing the cat and dog population of Thurston County via spay/neuter surgery. Application for assistance
https://www.spayneuterallpets.org/
South Sound Senior Services PALS Fund:
The PALS Fund helps low-income seniors pay veterinary bills for their beloved animal friends. From preventative care to emergency procedures, the fund provides much-needed support for seniors who simply cannot afford the rising cost of vet care. In 2022, with the financial support of our anonymous donor, Charlie, and more than 270 community members, we were able to assist 168 seniors with 204 pets, paying over $72,000 in vet bills. This year, we hope to do even more!
https://www.southsoundseniors.org/pals
Little Paws 4 Rescue:
Their mission statement: We are a group of women bound to save as many dogs as we can that are on the euthanizing list. We believe in giving these dogs a second chance at finding their forever-loving-homes. We haven't met one yet that didn't show love and gratitude for saving them.
https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/wa/lacey/little-paws-4-rescue-wa573/
Shayne’s Rescue:
Our Mission
We are foster-based, so meets can happen seven days/week since we do not have 'office hours'. It is up to the foster and adopter to make a mutually agreeable time
https://shaynesrescue.com/adoption-application-pet-central-satx/
No doubt there are more local options available to us. Give, but give locally when you can.
Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia. Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.
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KatAshe
Thank you, Ms. Anderson for reminding readers of the JOLT about the many local animal services and rescues.
My own two feline companions came from Feline Friends in October 2010. My little tabby was a hoarder rescue.
Both Concern for Animals and the senior services PAL fund assists the elderly and other low income owners to keep their cherished companions.
Concerning our Joint Animal Services, they can always use no longer needed pet food, carriers, and other unneeded pet items either due to a change with ones pet needs or the sad loss of a beloved pet. Concern for Animals can also use no longer need pet food.
I personally keep an eye out for one of our wonderful organizations comes to the rescue of a hoarding situation with a donation as I am unable to foster due to my own household companions.
For those that are able, fostering can be very rewarding.
Wednesday, January 3 Report this
Deskandchairs
It needed to be said and I'm glad you did. I too am frustrated by those many appeals on TV where obviously big bucks are being spent on solicittion, rather than on that organization's mission. And, they throw in a blanket, or some trinket, as a thank you. There really are better places to make donations. Thank you for providing specific alternatives for those interested in animal rescue.
Thursday, January 4 Report this
JKRector
Thank you Kathleen for this reminder to help pet programs locally based.
Here's a shout out to Feisty Felines, a local rescue dedicated to transforming the lives of cats in Pierce & Thurston Counties. They operate a foster and adoption program, as well as a low cost spay/neuter transport program. What sets them apart is their specialized focus on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. TNR is a humane approach to managing and controlling the stray and feral cat population. Through TNR, they safely trap these cats, have them spayed or neutered, provide necessary medical care, and return them to their original habitat. This process not only helps prevent the cycle of reproduction but also improves the overall well-being of the cats and the community they inhabit. They are a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that is passionate about their mission to provide a safe haven for cats and advocate for their well-being. I've been impressed by their TNR of feral cats, whose only crime is being born outside of a human home.
feistyfelines.org
Thursday, January 4 Report this
SecondOtter
While I agree that animal services provides a very necessary function, the concept of TNR (Trap Neuter and Return) is merely shoving the problem of feral cats onto the homeowner or farmer who doesn't want the cat in their area.
No one likes to see a cat that's been dumped. But a pet cat is different than a feral cat. Referring to a feral cat as being a member of a community makes it sound benevolent, when it's anything but. Removing it from it's ''''community'' only to return it after neutering is not solving the problem.
As an aside, I've two cats. One was from Thurston County JAS. I've had and loved cats all my life, so I don't need flaming. I keep my cats indoors. They aren't allowed to roam, and consequently, they're both geriatrics. They needn't worry about parasites, or diseases, or being hit by a car.
Feral cats kill native wildlife, especially birds. Our native birds are already under a dreadful squeeze- non native species like the House Sparrow and the Starling are aggressive and relentless in their competition for nesting cavities. Combine that with loss of habitat, climate change, cell phone towers, and our native birds are plummeting in numbers.
Capturing a feral cat removes it from the area. Returning it so that it can continue to kill birds is insanity. Just because a feral cat has been neutered or spayed doesn't mean it will stop killing native wildlife, stop spraying, or using one's garden bed as a litter box, or attacking one's household cats.
I've humanely trapped feral cats and attempted to get JAS to accept them. I've been browbeaten by staff members, looked at with suspicion as if I'm lying about this cat. No, I don't want it, it's not mine, I've never fed it, it's damaged my property and killed bluebirds and robins. Wshy am I suddenly being treated as if I'm a criminal, when all I am trying to do is preserve what little native wildlife is left.
Saturday, January 6 Report this
Terrilovesanimals
I tend to think of the positives that ads have. People are so busy going on about things in life, or playing games on their x-boxes, that they don't think about the animals. This at least puts the issues right in their faces and, even if it was just a few people, they might think of our local animals! .
Monday, January 8 Report this