Gwinnett County Animal Control
884 Winder Hwy (Hwy 29)
Lawrenceville, Ga 30045
or call 770-339-3200
Update 06/02: I am sad to report that Smiley Boy's listing has been removed, and I have not been able to determine his fate. If you are considering adopting a dog, please consider adopting a wonderful smiley pitbull!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Smiley Boy Needs a Good Home, Lawrenceville, GA
Beautiful Glory Needs a Wonderful Home Where She Can Retire, McDonough, GA
I saw a plea for this beautiful senior black lab through Saving Georgia Dogs. Glory 4/4-1036, a senior female black lab is located at the Henry County Animal Control Shelter in McDonough, GA. Sadly, at Henry County AC, a pet's time is not unlimited. Can you offer this beautiful, dignified senior lady a comfortable place to retire? Do you know a rescue organization that has room for this beautiful girl? If so, please contact the Henry County Animal Control Shelter at 770-288-PETS (7387) immediately!
Henry County Animal Shelter
527 Hamption Street
McDonough, GA 30253
Phone: 770-288-PETS (7387)
Update 6/2: I am thrilled to report that beautiful Glory has been adopted! If you are considering adopting a dog, please consider a "senior" or "special needs" dog.
Puppy Breath!
As you may be aware, the pet overpopulation problem in the Southern states is overwhelming. On a daily basis, hundreds of perfectly adoptable dogs, including puppies, are euthanized simply because there is no where for them to go. One of my favorite organizations, Saving Shelter Pets, Inc., has created an innovative rescue program called Puppy Promises. Through this program, Saving Shelter Pets intervenes when an owner wants to surrender a litter of puppies to a shelter. The owner of the puppies agrees to quarantine the puppies for several weeks, and Saving Shelter Pets spays the mother dog, as well as any other intact pets in the household. By keeping the puppies out of shelters, Saving Shelter Pets keeps these cute little guys out of shelter environments, where they often contract parvo or other deadly diseases. The litters of adorable puppies are then transported to adoption centers and no-kill facilities in the Northeast, where they are quickly snatched up by happy adopters.
As spring approaches, puppies and kittens are flooding into the shelters. Right now, Saving Shelter Pets has 22 Puppy Promises puppies waiting to hitch a ride to the Northeast. Each puppy needs $35.00 to cover their "fare" on their way North. Can you buy one pup his or her ticket to ride? Click here to donate!
Saving Shelter Pets (SSP) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization. SSP facilitates rescues from high-kill animal shelters and promote spay & neuter, in an effort to give all pets the chance at life they truly deserve.
SSP is a small, all-volunteer organization with supporters and volunteers located throughout the country. SSP relies solely on donations to continue its rescue and spay/neuter efforts.
SSP is one of my FAVORITE rescue organizations. Through a group of dedicated online volunteers, SSP facilitates rescue from high-kill Georgia shelters. The group also has a WONDERFUL forum for pet lovers and anyone looking for ways to help shelter pets.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Help Shelter Pets While You Do Your Taxes!!
It's that time of year: TAX TIME!
If you use TurboTax, you can help shelter pets at no extra cost to you! All you have to do is sign up to iGive.com, and go to TurboTax through that site. TurboTax will donate a percentage of your total purchase price to your selected charity. TurboTax even makes a small donation if you do your Federal taxes for FREE!
iGive is an awesome program that allows you to shop online just as you normally would, except that your purchases through participating vendors help support your selected charity. This is a wonderful way to help your favorite charity with no extra cost to you. To make it even easier, iGive has a Shopping Window program that you can download. Each time you land on a site that is a participating vendor, you'll get a pop-up window to let you know that any purchases will help support your favorite charity. All purchases made by going through the vendor links at iGive or by using the Shopping Window program are automatically credited to your favorite charity.
Why not get started this weekend while you're working on your taxes?
Help Shelter Pets for FREE! Take Two Minutes and Write a Review
Insider Pages features an awesome fund-raiser program for charitable organizations. Right now, the Pet Rescue of Mercer is raising money through Insider Pages reviews. It's simple...simply sign up for an account with Insider Pages (I'm a member...no spam!), then write reviews of businesses you've patronized. Each review you write earns the Pet Rescue of Mercer either $1.50 or $0.50. If you think about it, that's a LOT of money for spending just two minutes of your time to write a review. PLEASE help this rescue organization out. This fund-raiser is over in just ONE DAY! Get on board right now and write a couple reviews! It costs you nothing but a couple minutes of your time.
Pet Rescue of Mercer is an all volunteer, not-for-profit animal 501 (c)(3) rescue group based in Mercer County, NJ. PRM rescues neglected, abused, and abandoned animals from local shelters by finding quality homes for them.
**UPDATE 4/9! FOXY WAS ADOPTED!**
Friday, March 28, 2008
Cool Magnets from PBRC
Awhile back I mentioned I went on a magnet shopping spree at Cafepress. You see, I had just moved, and I decided my new fridge needed a new look. I bought a bunch of magnets from various Cafepress stores, all of which help support animal rescue. Here are two I purchased from the Pit Bull Rescue Central Store.
I LOVE the magnet on the left! My fiancee has a buddy that refuses to have his adult black lab mix neutered, because "he just couldn't do that to his buddy." I think this magnet explains it well: "Real Men Have Their Own Balls -- Neuter Your Dog!"
The magnet on the right is just beautiful in real life. It poignantly points out the fact that we need remember that the blame for dog attacks lies with humans, not with the dogs.
Pit Bull Rescue Central website is a virtual shelter and resource for owners and caretakers of American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and pit bull mixes. The site features an absolute treasure-trove of information about "Bully Breeds" as well as a "virtual" shelter featuring adoptable "Pit Bulls" around the United States. As a bully-lover, I can't recommend this site enough. If you have a question about Pit Bulls, you will find an answer here.
Cutie Crystal Needs a Home! Georgia
Crystal 72778 is a 10 month old female beagle/doberman cross in desperate need of a new home. Her adoption fee is $110.00 which includes vaccinations, spay, rabies, and de-worming. Do you have room in your heart and home for this Georgia peach before her time is up?
If you can adopt Crystal, please contact Lowndes County Animal Services immediately!
Lowndes County Animal Services
337 Gil Harbin Industrial Blvd.
Valdosta, GA 31601
Phone: 229-671-2760
Update 6/2: Sadly Crystal's listing has been removed, and I have been unable to determine her fate.
Are You Midnight's Good Luck Charm?
Black cats, like black dogs, are much less likely to be adopted from shelters and pounds. Sadly, many people still associate black cats with "bad luck." Black cats in shelters also often get overlooked in favor of "flashier" cats like Siamese, long-hairs, orangies, Maine Coons, etc. Black cats and "plain jane" tabbies are usually the first to go down in high-kill shelters, who are starting to see a huge influx of cats and kittens as kitten season begins.
Midnight 08-1259 is a black adult male domestic short-hair cat in desperate need of a new home. He just loves attention! If you can help Midnight, please contact the Lee County Animal Shelter immediately.
Lee County Animal Control
759 Hwy 32 East Leesburg,Georgia
P.O. Box 889
Leesburg, Ga. 31763
Phone: 229-759-6037
dcopeland@lee.ga.us or dmathis@lee.ga.us
Update 6/2: I am thrilled to report that Midnight has been adopted!
Check Out These Cool New Banners and Widgets from Petfinder.com
Many of our fellow pet-loving bloggers feature Petfinder.com "featured pet" widgets on their blogs. I just recently discovered that Petfinder now has dozens of other new cool banners and widgets to choose from. Please consider adding a couple to your website!
This new "featured pet" widget can be found here at Petfinder.com.
Here's another neat banner from Petfinder:
And my favorite, the "101 Reasons to Adopt" series of banners:
These awesome banners and MORE can be found here at Petfinder!
Awards! (and a little bit about me)
I apologize profusely for being absent for so long! Sometimes real life gets in the way of the fun stuff ;)
A little more about me, for anyone who is interested: I'm a full time law student in my spare time when I'm not trying to help shelter pets, so I've been super busy with school lately. I just got done with a mid-term and taking the MPRE (keep your fingers crossed for me-- I'll find out if I passed in a couple weeks), and I've been super busy at the law firm where I work. The good news is, I'll be graduating in May! After three years of working my butt off, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! It will be weird after I graduate to be able to say "I'm a lawyer." Then comes the Bar Exam. Yikes!
I've also got a job lined up when I graduate, so that's a huge relief. Many of my classmates are scrambling to find some sort of job to help pay the gigantic student loan bills that are going to start coming in a few short months.
I started law school with all sorts of altruistic aspirations to do all sorts of good with my law degree. It was my intention to become a criminal defense attorney -- specifically, a public defender. During my second year, I came to realize that criminal defense work wasn't really what I wanted to do. Moreover, I also came to the conclusion that if you want to make enough money to pay back your student loans when you're done with school, you probably better look at private practice or a corporate law job. Ironically, it seems that public interest legal work is best reserved for those law students who come from wealthy backgrounds. Those jobs really just don't pay enough. Lots of people think lawyers are rich. That's not necessarily the case, I've discovered. The cost of education has gone up exponentially, while the pay scale for attorneys has barely risen over the last couple decades. We now graduate with much, much more student debt, fewer job prospects, and lower earning potential.
But, I digress. I worked for a solo practitioner law firm last summer doing personal injury and workers' compensation. It was just supposed to be for the summer, but at the end of the summer, my boss offered me a job. He decided it was time the firm brought on a second attorney. Yay!
Anyway, I'm so honored to report that Saving Lives One at A Time received two blog awards while I was absent from the blogging world.
First, we received the "Wonderful Site Award" from The Cat/Dog Log. We are so honored! Thank you!
We also received the "You Make My Day Award" from Kay's K9's. Thank you!!
We are proud and honored to pass these two awards on to Pet Rescuer Central. This wonderful blog always has awesome information about a variety of subjects related to animal rescue.
**UPDATE 4/10!***Just wanted to share...I passed the MPRE! Yay!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Devastation of Parvo: Can You Help Save This Pup?
Parvo is an absolutely devastating, highly-contagious viral canine disease. It most often strikes puppies, and typically, those infected with Parvo have only a 50% chance of survival. Puppies and adult dogs are usually vaccinated against Parvo, but shelter pups, who have often never received their puppy shots, are extremely susceptible to this terrible disease.
It is also extremely easy to spread Parvo, and the virus itself is extremely hardy. Most disinfectants don't kill it, and it can live in the environment for five months or longer.
In puppies, the virus usually takes about 7-10 days to incubate, which means that up to a week may pass after exposure before the puppy shows symptoms, or before the pup tests positive for parvo. The first symptoms of Parvo usually include a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, symptoms include vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Left untreated, the disease progresses to dehydration, shock and death. For more excellent information about Parvo, please visit the Working Dogs website.
Recently, I received an urgent plea for some pups at the St. Martin Parish Animal Control Facility. Three pups came in, and over the course of just a couple days, their physical health rapidly deteriorated. A kind soul brought the sickly pups to the vet, where they were diagnosed with Parvo. Unfortunately, as of this morning, two of the puppies have died. Their young systems just couldn't beat this devastating disease. One puppy is fighting to survive.
This little girl, 444518, is a baby rottweiler mix, and she's fighting for her life to survive.Given the severity of the disease, the costs for treating the puppies, both the puppies that didn't make it, and the one puppy that is fighting for her life, are going to be enormous.
If you have a few spare dollars, please consider donating it to help offset the costs of treating the pups. Donations can be made to the St. Martin Humane Society. Please note that the donation is for the "parvo pups."All donations are tax deductible.
If you can't donate, please consider cross-posting this plea for help, or please send your prayers and/or good vibes to the one pup fighting for her life.
UPDATE 3/20: I'm very sad to report that the remaining "Parvo pup" has gone over the Bridge. She appeared to be doing a little bet better, and then she was gone. Thank you to anyone who donated, cross-posted, or sent prayers or good thoughts to the sick puppies.
In loving memory of the two babies who didn't make it. May you find love, health, and peace at the Bridge.
Sweet Pea is a Sweetie Pie! Adopt Her Today! Georgia
Sweet Pea 9182 is an adult female orange tabby cat. From the looks of her profile photo, she loves to "sing." When she's not practicing her vocal scales, Sweet Pea loves lounging in laps and getting snuggles.
Unfortunately, Sweet Pea somehow landed herself at a shelter, and her time is not unlimited. As kitten season fast approaches, the situation may get dire for Sweet Pea if she is not adopted soon!
If you are interested in adopting Sweet Pea, please contact the Bainbridge-Decatur Humane Society immediately!
Bainbridge Animal Shelter
1300 Cox Avenue
229-246-0101
bainbridgedchs@bellsouth.net
Like humans, cats have one pair of sex chromosomes. These are the ones that make them male or female and they play an essential role in determining a cat’s colour. In females, both sex chromosomes are X making girl kitties XX. Males are XY, the Y making them male. A kitten gets one chromosome from Mom and one from Dad. Moms only have X’s so the variable is given by the Dad, if he gives his X, the kitten is a girl, if he gives his Y, it is a boy.
The gene which makes a cat ginger (orange) is located on the X chromosome. The gene for ginger will override all other colours. Since males have only one X, they either are or aren’t ginger - no halfway about it. Girl cats have two X’s in each cell. As far as the cells are concerned two X’s is one too many, so each cell deactivates one of the X chromosomes in a fairly random fashion . . .
Since males only need to have the orange gene on one chromosome to become ginger, and females have to have it on two, ginger males outnumber females 3 to 1.
Nymphadora Tonks is Looking for Her Magical Person! Black Lab, Fargo-Moorhead
Nymphadora Tonks, or "Dora" for short, is a beautiful one-year old female black lab. She is currently fostered by my sister-in-law-to-be through Adopt-A-Pet of Fargo-Moorhead. Sweetie "Dora" was adopted when she was just a puppy, but she was returned to Adopt-A-Pet.
Are you that "magical" someone "Dora" is looking for?
From her foster:
"She is the sweetest dog I have ever met! Dora is quite mellow for a lab. She is the kind of dog that is excited when you want her to be excited, and lazy when you want her to be lazy. She will gladly go on a walk and then cuddle with you for a nap. She just wants to be loved! Dora thinks she is a lap-dog. One of her favorite things to do is be the "big spoon" when you sleep at night. Dora loves snow and will try to make her own snow-angels in the deep stuff. Dora is spayed and current on all her shots. Due to some unfortunate circumstances at her previous residence, Dora had trouble going to the bathroom as much as any other dog would, but she has not once had an accident inside. Dora is also very fearful of certain men but accepting of women and some men. Once she realizes you aren't going to hurt her she will try to lick your face off! Dora is sweet enough to be around kids and she loves to play with other dogs. Dora has never chewed anything she wasn't supposed to, but she does like to lazily pull apart her own toys. Right now she is about 10 to 15 pounds overweight but she should hopefully lose it quickly with a healthier diet and a few more walks during the day!"If you are interested in adopting "Dora," please contact "Adopt-A-Pet" of Fargo-Moorhead.
Adopt-A-Pet
P.O. Box 865
Moorhead, MN 56561
Info/Cat Line: 701-232-5856
Dog Line: 701-232-5681
If "Dora" isn't right for you, but you live in the Fargo-Moorhead area, please consider adopting a needy pet from "Adopt-A-Pet." About "Adopt-A-Pet":
Adopt-A-Pet is a non-profit, completely volunteer-run organization with the primary goal of placing rescued pets in loving and responsible homes. We are dedicated to keeping our animals happy and healthy.
We receive no government financial support. Adopt-A-Pet relies solely on private donations to keep operating. Private donations, fundraising events, and our adoption fees help us pay for food, medical supplies, and the veterinary expenses we incur every month.
All of our animals are under our care until a permanent home can be found, no matter how long it takes.
Did you Know????
Each year hundreds of cats and dogs are euthanized. In 2006, 1291 cats were admitted to the Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead pounds, and 574 of them were euthanized. In 2006, 979 dogs were admitted to the pounds, and 112 were euthanized. These numbers do not account for the large numbers who die on the streets or are hit by cars. Please spay or neuter your pets.
Do you have extra room in your heart and home to provide temporary safety to a dog or cat in need? One of the greatest ways to help rescue organizations is to foster pets. For more information, please visit the Pet Foster Network, which has lots of great resources for people considering fostering.
I'm happy to announce that "Adopt-A-Pet" of Fargo-Moorhead is also to be the March recipient of proceeds from my Cafepress store, Reekoe's Room. 100% of the profits from every sale from my store through the month of March goes directly to "Adopt-A-Pet."
Update 6/2: I'm very happy to report that lovely Dora has been adopted!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Looking for a Perfect Dog? Look No Further!
From Homeward Bound Dog Rescue:Name: Perfect
Breed: Pug / Poodle / Doxie / Golden Retriever / Cavalier King Charles Spaniel / Bichon
Age: Puppy
Gender: Male / Female
Description: Are you looking for a dog who has perfect manners, never has an accident, doesn't shed, adores children (even toddlers who tug on his ears or stumble on him while he is sleeping), needs no exercise, doesn't bark, has impeccable manners, never chews, and needs no training? Perfect is just that and then some. Perfect requires no heartworm preventative, never needs to be groomed, and never needs to go to the vet. He gets along with all other animals, even rabbits, and never even so much as grumbles at another animal, even if another dog is eating out of Perfect's dog dish. He'd be perfect for someone with a very busy life who isn't home much. If Perfect sounds like the perfect dog for you, you may find more dogs just like him at your local toy store. If Perfect DOES NOT sound quite what you are looking for in a pooch, you'll be a great guardian for a real dog! As you can see, we have tons of other wonderful, perfect-in-their-own-unique-way dogs!
We rescue all types of dogs, ranging from small to large breeds. Roughly 40% of the dogs we rescue are purebred while the other 60% are mixed breeds. The age of the dogs varies from puppies to adults. We will tell you about each dog's history, personality, & behavior, including whether or not they are good which children and other pets, their exercise needs, & other important information.
Each week, new dogs are rescued and we hold pet adoptions every Saturday at a Petco location from 11:30a.m. - 4p.m. in the Twin Cities area. Please see our Adoption Dates and Locations for more information.
If you live in the Twin Cities Metro area and are looking for a new furry friend, please check out all the wonderful pets available at Homeward Bound Rescue.
Are You An Artist or Graphic Designer? Donate Your Talents!
In trying to figure out ways to raise more money to donate to my favorite rescue organizations, I decided to experiment with Cafepress. If you're not familiar with Cafepress, it is an site that allows members to build an online store, hosted by Cafepress, to upload designs, and to sell hundreds of items featuring those designs to online shoppers. All hosting is managed by Cafepress, as is all order processing, and manufacturing. For the most part, all you have to do is set up your store, and upload designs.
You can set up a store for free, or you can pay a relatively small fee to have a "premium" store. After experimenting with a couple free stores, I set up my first premium store, Reekoe's Room. My store features over 100 pet-related designs, focusing on animal welfare, animal rescue, and spaying and neutering. Each month, I choose a deserving animal welfare organization, and donate 100% of my profits. My little "experiment" has turned out to be a huge success. Since I started my store about six months ago, I have been able to donate an extra $1,000 to animal rescue organizations. To see which organizations I'm supporting, please click here.
A Cafepress store can be a very lucrative fundraiser for animal rescue organizations. For tips on how to make your store a success, please visit Cafepress Tips for Animal Rescue Organizations. All it really takes is a little time and some effort.
For individuals wishing to help rescue organizations, starting a Cafepress store and donating a portion of your proceeds is a great way to help. If you've got some ideas for t-shirts or bumper stickers, start a free store, and donate your profits to rescue. If you've already got a Cafepress store, consider donating a portion of your proceeds to animal welfare organizations. Or, you could make a "special edition" design, the proceeds from which are donated to rescue. Finally, you could donate a t-shirt, or a mug, or some stickers to organizations looking for raffle items or prizes.
One other option is to create a design and donate that design to your favorite animal rescue organization if they already have a Cafepress store. Click here to find out size and dimension suggestions for your designs. Typically, your favorite organization's website will have a link to their store. Otherwise, check out this site for an extensive list of organizations with Cafepress stores.
As an example of how this works, I am offering this design from my store, free, to any qualified organization or individual who wishes to use it for animal-welfare related purposes. To get a copy of this design as high-quality, large-scale png. file, please e-mail me at jyackley01@gmail.com. Please include the e-mail address where you wish to have the file mailed, as well as what you intend to use the image for.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Chardonnay & Michelob, Senior "Pups at Heart" Need a New Home, Ohio
Did you know that shelters have a much harder time placing big black dogs? This tendency for adopters to by-pass large black dogs is known as "black dog syndrome." No one is quite sure why would-be adopters overlook large black dogs waiting for a new home. I'd like to thank Pet Rescuer Central for posting a link to this fascinating article about Black Dog Syndrome. If you are in the market for a new dog, please don't overlook those wonderful Big Black Dogs.
Here are two wonderful big black dogs that are in desperate need of new homes. Chardonnay and Michelob were turned in together by their owner who was diagnosed with a debilitating illness. Chardonnay and Michelob are now fighting for their lives. Both are scheduled for euthanization on March 22, 2008.
These two dogs have been constant companions since they were puppies. They are now both 11 years old. Chardonnay is an adult female black labrador retriever. Michelob is an adult male shepherd mix. They want nothing more than a nice place to relax and retire. If possible, they'd love to be adopted together.
Both dogs have spent their entire lives as outside dogs, and would really love for someone to bring them home and let them live inside. Both Chardonnay and Michelob are already altered and are very sweet.
Chardonnay and Michelob also come with sponsorships for any qualified rescue that can save them.
If you can adopt or rescue these sweet pups, please contact the Stark County Dog Warden Department immediately!
Stark County Dog Warden
1801 Mahoning Road NE
Canton, OH 44705
330-451-2343
starkdoginfo@yahoo.com
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Can You Find the Pit Bull?
One of the many problems with Breed-Specific Legislation is that there is no such thing as a "Pit Bull" as a breed. Several breeds are commonly classified as "Pit Bulls," such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
However, dozens of different types of dogs are commonly mis-identified as "Pit Bulls." Herein lies the problem. Even pit-bull fanciers, and persons that would be classified as "experts" can have difficulties determining whether a dog is a purebred "Pit Bull." Yet, Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) typically requires law enforcement officers or animal control officers to try to make on-the-spot determinations as to whether a given dog is a "Pit Bull."
Part of the problem underlying Breed-Specific Legislation is that is it usually based on the notion that Pit Bulls are somehow inherently dangerous. This idea is typically based on widespread media reports of "Pit Bull" attacks. The Merrit Clifton "study" and the Centers for Disease Control statistics are widely relied on by proponents of Breed Specific Legislation. The CDC freely admits that its statistics are unreliable, however, Clifton concludes that his study reflects that Pit Bulls are inherently dangerous dogs. Both the CDC study and the Clifton study rely on MEDIA reports of dog attacks. We all know the problem with that...a cocker spaniel attacks a child, and it isn't reported. A "pit bull" scratches someone and it makes national headlines.
Beyond that, given the fact that "experts" often have difficulty identifying "pit bulls" how on earth can one expect that victims of dog attacks would accurately identify the breed of the dog?
To illustrate this problem, please visit Pitbulls on the Web. Can you Find the Pitbulls? I consider myself relatively knowledgeable about dog breeds, but I was TOTALLY wrong! I'm sad to admit that I've seen this webpage many times before, yet I STILL can't pick out the pit bulls! Can you??
For more information on the battle against BSL in Minnesota, please visit A Rotta Love Plus.
For more information about Breed-Specific Legislation in general, please check out these resources:
The Merritt Clifton study so you can judge for yourself. Biased much?
The CDC study on dog-related fatalities.
Info on BSL from Pit Bull Rescue Central.
Understand-a-Bull: Great Resources about BSL.
Dog Bite Law, presents a balanced view of the issue of dog-bites.
Good summary of the issues from Dog-Play.
HSUS position statement on BSL.
More info from Bless the Bullys.
Good info from PitBulls on the Web.
From PitBulls: The Truth -- lots of great facts and resources.
StopBSL.com: really good info about BSL.
BADRAP's take on BSL.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Willy, Happy Black Lab Desperately Needs a New Home, Nebraska
Willy NE4 is an adult male purebred black labrador retriever in desperate need of a new home. He's a fun-loving guy that would make an awesome family pet! Willy's adoption fee is $30, which includes Parvo, Distemper, Hepititis, and Parainfiluenza vaccinations, a free vet exam, a $15.00 neuter coupon, and a $5.00 rabies coupon. Willy is located at the North Platte Animal Shelter in North Platte, Nebraska. The Shelter is an animal control facility, so Willy's time is extremely limited! In fact, he is scheduled for euthanization on March 3, 2008. Can you give this happy guy a new life?
If you are interested in adopting Willy, please contact the shelter immediately!
North Platte Animal Shelter
1402 N Sycamore St.
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101
308-535-6780
Contact name: Staci Blake
Contact email: staciblake@yahoo.com
Catnappers: Helping Feral Caretakers
One of the major ways they are helping feral cats is through their low-cost spay and neuter program. Catnappers sponsors low-cost spay and neuter clinics, and clinics especially for feral cat caretakers. Through sponsoring T-N-R (Trap-Neuter-Return), Catnappers is assisting caring individuals to help feral cats.
So how can you help this awesome program? Sponsor a spay! Click here to donate to this wonderful cause! Feral cat caretakers can also apply for assistance from Catnappers directly through their website.
CatNappers
PO Box 71203
Albany, Ga. 31708
http://www.mystraycat.org/index.html
Why Shelters and Rescue Organizations Charge Adoption Fees
I'm honored to report that Jane at Pet Rescuer Central asked me to do a guest post on her site about why shelters and rescues charge adoption fees. She has kindly permitted me to repost the article here.
I often run into people that think they should be able to “adopt” or “rescue” a pet free of charge. After all, they’re saving the animal’s life, right? Why should they have to pay anything when they’re doing that organization a favor by taking the pet off their hands? Plus, giving away those pets, or reducing the fee will encourage more people to adopt, right?
These folks are missing the big picture.
Shelters and rescue organizations charge adoption fees for three basic reasons: 1) to attempt to recoup a small portion of the cost of rescuing pets, 2) to discourage impulse adoptions, and 3) to keep the bad guys away.
1. First, shelters and rescue organizations charge a fee to attempt to cover at least a portion of the costs incurred in caring for the pet prior to the adoption. Depending on the agency, the costs involved can vary greatly. Some shelters provide only food, water, and shelter before the animal is adopted, or more likely, euthanized. Other shelters and organizations, however, go to great lengths to save severely ill, injured, or neglected pets, and care for the animal until it finds a home, which can sometimes be for the life of the animal. Most shelters and rescue organizations fall somewhere in the middle. Often, these organizations are no-kill, which (depending on who you ask), means that a pet will be taken care of for the duration of its life if a suitable adoptive home cannot be found. In addition to providing the basic necessities of food, water and shelter to these pets, most organizations also spay or neuter, provide vaccinations, perform necessary veterinary care, and last, but not least, provide companionship, socialization, and comfort for the pet prior to its adoption. Non-profit organizations, such as most humane societies and rescue organizations exist and do their work supported solely by the generosity of donors. Once in a great while, these organizations receive grants, endowments, or other forms of funding, but not very often. And, contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of organizations receive absolutely no funding from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), or any other national animal welfare organization. Animal control facilities, on the other hand, often have contracts with local government to protect the public from stray, unwanted, or sick animals. However, the funding received by animal control facilities usually does not even come close to the amount needed to do a good job.
This is where the adoption fee comes in. Depending on the extent and level of care provided to the animal prior to its adoption, the fee is almost always dwarfed in scale to the actual expense incurred in caring for that pet.
Here’s a fairly common scenario: A rescue organization “rescues” what appears to be a purebred male black Labrador retriever that is about 1 ½ years old, from an animal control facility, where it has been slated for death because its owner cannot be found, and its “hold time” has expired. The animal control facility has most likely provided only the bare necessities, i.e., food, water, and shelter, to the dog during its stay at the “pound.” When the rescue pulls the dog, it often has to pay a “pull” fee, which is generally a reduced adoption fee. Let’s say the pull fee is $15.00 for rescue organizations at this particular animal control facility.
Now the lab is on his way to a new life. Let’s call him Buckley. The rescue organization whisks him immediately to the vet to determine if he’s healthy, and to determine whether he needs any medical treatment. Buckley’s was picked up as a stray, so he’s quite underweight. He’s also got a serious flea and tick problem. Buckley’s also got a bit of kennel cough from being housed with other sick dogs while at animal control. He’s also picked up intestinal parasites, or worms, along the way. And the rescue is devastated to find out that Buckley tests positive for heartworm. Sadly, heartworm is very common in shelter dogs in some areas of the country. Heartworm is extremely easy to prevent, but it is very difficult and expensive to treat.
In addition to the cost of the exam, the rescue organization also incurs $25.00 to treat his fleas, $25.00 to treat his kennel cough, $10.00 to get his rabies vaccination, $15.00 to get his other basic vaccinations, and $15.00 to de-worm him. The total bill is $140.00 for Buckley’s first visit. The vet gives a rescue discount, so this is a huge bargain!
Buckley goes to his new foster home who has to keep him isolated from her own pets due to his kennel cough, but he’s thrilled to be out of the pound. A couple weeks later, Buckley has gained a little weight after being on a good quality diet, which for three weeks, cost the rescue organization $30.00. Buckley’s also working on housetraining, which he’s picking up quickly. His previous owner apparently had never bothered to let him inside the house. Buckley also apparently has some food aggression issues and some slight dominance issues. Not major obstacles, but it will make him slightly more difficult to place in a good home. The foster will work on these issues while he stays in her care.
Since Buckley’s up to a healthy weight, its time to start his heartworm treatment. Being a generous vet, she offers to treat him for only $400.00. The treatment will take several weeks to complete, and during that time, his foster has to make sure that he does not exert himself at all! Tough job when you’re dealing with a young black lab! Finally, several weeks later, Buckley tests negative for heartworm. His total heartworm treatment cost the rescue organization $400.00. During the six weeks of his treatment, he stayed with his foster mom, and the rescue paid for his food, which amounted to $60.00. They also paid for a bed, a crate, some dog shampoo, a couple tennis balls, and a collar and leash. The total amount incurred by the rescue organization for these “extras” was $120.00.
Now that Buckley’s healthy, it’s time to get him neutered. His previous owner never bothered to do that. There are probably several dozens of litters of unwanted black lab mix litters fathered by Buckley scattered throughout the area. His neuter costs the rescue a discounted amount of $70.00. Finally, Buckley is ready to go to his new home!
But, after several weeks of attending adoption events and a few inquiries here and there, Buckley still doesn’t have a home. You see, big black dogs like Buckley are often overlooked for fluffy, small, light-colored dogs. The foster’s other dogs are adopted one by one, but Buckley is still there. The fact that Buckley has slight food aggression problems, and some slight dominance issues means that there are fewer potential adopters willing to take a chance on him. He’d probably be best in a home without small children, without other dogs, and with owners who have experience with these types of issues. They are not huge issues, but they make it more difficult for Buckley to find the right home. More weeks go by, and it becomes months. After eight months, Buckley still doesn’t have a home. Meanwhile, the rescue organization is still incurring the cost of caring for him. It costs about $10.00 a week to feed Buckley, so after eight months, the rescue organization has incurred a food bill of $320.00.
Finally, one day, a black lab fancier spots Buckley at an adoption event at a local pet store. He recently lost his black lab to old age, and is looking for a new buddy. There are no kids in the home, and no other pets. Perfect match! The adopter takes one look into Buckley’s big brown eyes and immediately knows he’s the one. He gladly donates the $200.00 adoption fee to the rescue organization, knowing full well that that amount doesn’t even begin to cover the costs of caring for Buckley. Buckley found his perfect forever home.
Total cost incurred by the rescue organization to find Buckley his perfect forever home: $1050.00 (this is an extremely low estimate), not including the volunteer hours spent on his care. Total cost to the adopter: $200.00. Who’s getting the bargain here?
2. Second, shelters and rescue organizations charge a fee as a way to avoid “impulse” adoptions. You wouldn’t buy that puppy in the pet store for $1700 on a whim, would you? Then you shouldn’t be adopting one on a whim, either.
If a person has to pay even a nominal fee prior to adopting a pet, it makes that person stop and think, if just for a moment, about whether or not they really want that pet. Impulse buys are one of the main reasons that pets are abandoned at shelters. People see the cute puppy or kitten, take it home, and then realize a short time later, that their impulse purchase was a bad idea. If you have to pay for the animal, it slows that impulse down just a little bit.
The logic is the same if I get something for free. Say I get a free TV. It’s used, it’s been around the block, its not perfect. I didn’t pay anything for it, so when it stops working, I just throw it away. On the other hand, say I paid $2000 for that TV. Do I throw it away when it stops working? NO! I call the repairman and get it fixed. Same goes for pets. It seems crass, but people tend to take the commitment more seriously when they have to pay for a pet.
In addition, if that adoption fee of $100, $200, or even $300 seems high, how on earth are you going to afford a pet? If all goes well, and your pet is fully vetted and in good health when you adopt it, it is still going to cost you upwards of a thousand dollars a year to care for it, including food, grooming, toys, beds, flea preventative, heartworm preventative, yearly vet exams and vaccinations. And that’s assuming nothing goes wrong. Pets can and do get hurt. They can and do get sick. They’re no different than kids. If you can’t afford the $200.00 adoption fee, what are you going to do when your dog or cat is hit by a car (although they shouldn’t be in the road in the first place)? What are you going to do if they eat something they aren’t supposed to? What happens when your pet gets older and age takes its toll?
3. Third, adoption fees also serve a screening function for shelters and rescue organizations. These organizations want the best home possible for the pets, and they want someone who is seriously committed to caring for the pet to the best of their ability. If someone really wants a pet, and is willing to pay the fee, it speaks to that person’s dedication toward that pet.
It also keeps the bad guys away. Shelters and rescue organizations also use a fee for the same reason that individuals that must rehome their pets should NEVER, NEVER give the animal way “free to a good home.” Offering a pet for free is an invitation for miscreants to “adopt” your pet and possibly do horrible things to it. Think that’s an exaggeration? Think again. One graphic example pops into my mind—a forensics student was adopting “free to good home” cats and kittens posted on Craigslist. By all accounts, he appeared to be a completely sincere adopter. Only later did those former pet owners find out that this “adopter” had been charged for several counts of animal cruelty after he was arrested for gruesomely shooting several cats at close range. He said he was studying the blood spatter patterns. Another grizzly tale involves an “adopter” feeding “free to good home” kittens to his pet snake.
A “free to good home” pet can also end up in the hands of a “buncher.” “Bunchers” are disgusting people who “gather” by whatever means they can, dogs and cats. From there, the bunchers sell the pets to people known as “Class B Dealers,” who are licensed by the USDA to “collect” pets to be sold as “random source” animals to research facilities. These “Class B Dealers” then turn around and sell those pets to animal research facilities. Shelters and rescue organizations obviously don’t want their pets to end up as research subjects, and neither do most well-intentioned pet owners to must re-home their pets for whatever reason. At bare minimum, an adoption fee should be $25.00 to discourage “bunchers.”
“Free to good home” pets are often used as “bait” animals for fighting dogs. With the publicity surrounding the Michael Vick case, the public has grown aware of the problem of dog-fighting. A sad by-product of this cruel activity is that pets are routinely stolen, or “adopted” and then used as “practice” or “bait” for fighting dogs.
While most non-profit shelters and rescue organizations spay or neuter their pets prior to adoption, some animal control facilities do not. Un-altered pets that appear to be purebred gotten cheaply can end up as breeding stock in a puppy mill. If you are unfamiliar with puppy mills, take a moment and do a Google search. You don’t want your pet to end up at one of these facilities, and neither do shelters. Un-altered purebred dogs should never be offered for adoption for less than $100.00. A puppy mill can make that $100.00 back off of one litter of pups from your pet.
Finally, well-meaning but sick individuals often “adopt” free to good home pets, or pets with extremely low adoption fees from high-kill animal control facilities. They mean to save the lives of the pets, but they usually don’t have the resources to properly care for all of the pets they “collect.” These people are hoarders. Occasionally, you see stories on the news about extreme examples of hundreds of pets in horrific conditions being seized from an individual’s home. Believe it or not, sometimes these people have been getting pets from animal control facilities or shelters who charge little or no adoption fee. More often, however, they “adopt” “free to good home” pets.
There are three primary reasons shelters and rescue organizations charge adoption fees: 1) to attempt to recoup a portion of the costs of caring for the pets; 2) to discourage impulse adoptions; and 3) to keep the bad guys at bay. If you are looking to adopt a pet, but think it is unreasonable to pay even a modest adoption fee, you probably should not have a pet.
Sadie is SAFE! Proof of the Power of the "Post"
Sadie is going HOME!If you've been reading my blog for a while, or if you read Houndsgood, you're familiar with Sadie's story.
She had been dumped at Heard County Animal Control, a very small, rural shelter in Franklin, Georgia. Her owners claimed that she had nipped another small dog in the home in a squabble over food. For this, Sadie was abandoned and labeled as "dog-aggressive." Heard Co. AC does everything in its power to place pets before they are forced to euthanize for space, but things weren't looking good for Sadie. After a couple weeks at the pound, no one had expressed any interest in her, despite everyone's efforts.
Chris at Houndsgood has been keeping the blogging world updated on her story. After a week or so at the pound, it was apparent that Sadie didn't have dog aggression issues. Most likely, her previous owner blew the incident way out of proportion. Yet, Sadie still had no place to go and she was long past her "times up" date.
Amazingly, one of Chris's readers has stepped up and offered to adopt Sadie!!! She is going to a happy new life! Congrats Sadie!!
This story is TRULY a testament to the power of the internet. I've seen it happen several times now! Simply posting the photo and story about a pet in need on your site can indeed save lives!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Awards Galore!
I'm thrilled to announce that the Dog Log has awarded us with THREE, yes, count them, THREE blog awards. Thank you so much :) As a newbie to the world of blogging, it really means a lot when our fellow bloggers think of Saving Lives One at a Time when they're passing on blog awards.
We'd like to pass on these awards to the following blogs:
1. HoundsGood. I absolutely love this blog!
2. Rescue Me. This wonderful blog features the profiles of sweet dogs in need of homes.
3. My View of "It". This blog is utterly fascinating! You can't tell where I fall in the political spectrum, can you? ;)
4. Pet Monologues. Everything you could ever want to know about animals. Truly some great stuff!
TODAY ONLY!!! Shop at the Animal Rescue Site and Help Fund Spays and Neuters in Honor of Spay Day USA 2008
If you're a frequent visitor to this site, you are probably aware of The Animal Rescue Site. At the Animal Rescue Site, you can click a button for free and advertisers help fund food for pets in shelters. You can also make purchases through the Animal Rescue Site Store, which also help fund food for shelter animals.
In honor of Spay Day USA 2008, the Animal Rescue Site is offering a wonderful promotion! For every completed order TODAY ONLY, the Animal Rescue Site will help fund a spay or neuter, in addition to the animal food your order helps generate.
I always make a point to check out the Animal Rescue Site Store when I'm doing my Christmas shopping because they have such unique gift items, but I couldn't resist doing a little shopping today, just because I know my purchases are helping fund spays and neuters.
Here's what I purchased:
From the site: "Written by Elise Lufkin with photgraphs by Diana Walker, the book Found Dogs: Tales of Strays is a moving tribute to the power of love between people and dogs -- how that love has transformed dogs who were lost, and the people who were lucky enough to find them."
This purchase funded 14 bowls of food for pets in need and also helped fund a spay and/or neuter.
I needed a new night light for my bathroom and I thought these were so cute! I picked the white one.
From the site: Designed by artist Susan Watkin and hand-painted, this cartoon-styled cat is available in Black or White.
This purchase funded 14 bowls of food as well as a spay and/or neuter.
I also needed some new slippers for cruising around on my hardwood floors when it's chilly outside. I picked the black ones...aren't they cute?
From the site: Keep those toes toasty with these adorable Sly Kitty Slippers, featuring an embroidered white cat surrounded by floating hearts. "The Animal Rescue Site" is embroidered along with our signature purple paw in the heel of each slipper. Soft, feel-good slippers are made with low-maintenance polyester top, and high-grip rubber sole.
This purchase funded 14 bowls of food as well as a spay and/or neuter.
Last but not least, I picked out this cute kitty wall hanger. I chose the one with the orange and black kitties, since I happen to be partial to orange ;). And this item was on SALE!
From the site: The friendly litter of kittens on our Feline Friends Coat Hanger will care for your coats while you're away. Handmade and hand-painted with a fun feline theme, this coat hanger is an ideal hallway addition for a cat lover.
This purchase funded 14 bowls of food as well as a spay and/or neuter.
If you have any gift shopping to do, or just feel like picking up a nice treat for yourself, today is the day to do it at The Animal Rescue Site Store! In honor of Spay Day USA 2008, the Animal Rescue Site is funding spays and neuters for every purchase. Pick up a great gift for yourself or someone you love, or help spread the word!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Rated E for Excellent
I'm proud and honored to report that Saving Lives One At a Time has been awarded the "Rated E for Excellent" Award by Pet Rescuer Central. Thank you so much for this honor!
Saving Lives One At A Time would like to pass this award on to:
1. Catnip Corner
2. The Dog Log
3. Dogz 'N' Catz
4. Rescue Dog Central
Thursday, February 21, 2008
"Mr. Sweet Potato Head" Needs a Special Home, Georgia
This handsome orange kitty has seen the rougher sides of the street, as evidenced by the scratches on his face. Affectionately nicknamed "Mr. Sweet Potato Head," this guy absolutely loves to be petted! He purrs non-stop! Despite his rough appearance, all "Mr. Sweet Potato Head" wants is someone to love.
"Mr. Sweet Potato Head" is already neutered and up-to-date on shots. This lover-boy is, however, FIV positive, and as such he needs a special home. His FIV-positive status is most likely the result of his life on the streets. It does not have to be a death sentence for him!
Many people, even cat people, shudder at the term "FIV," because often, FIV positive cats are euthanized and never even given a chance for adoption. FIV cats, or cats with Feline Immuno-deficiency Virus, can lead long, happy, healthy lives.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessarily mandatory to keep an FIV cat separated from non-infected cats. It is only spread through blood, such as the case of serious puncture wounds.
Here are some facts about FIV from the Best Friends Animal Society:
1. The Feline Immuno-deficiency Virus is a slow virus that affects a cat's immune system over a period of years.
2. FIV is a cat-only disease and cannot be spread to humans or other non-felines.
3. FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all.
4. FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually - like in litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing. It is rarely spread from a mother to her kittens.
5. The virus can be spread through blood transfusions, badly infected gums, or serious, penetrating bite wounds. (Bite wounds of this kind are extremely rare, except in free-roaming, unneutered tomcats.)
6. A neutered cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.
7. Many vets are not educated about FIV since the virus was only discovered 15 years ago.
8. FIV-positive cats should be kept as healthy as possible. Keep them indoors and free from stress, feed them a high-quality diet, keep and treat any secondary problems as soon as they arise.
Please don't let FIV scare you away from this wonderful kitty! If you are interested in adopting "Mr. Sweet Potato Head," please contact Heard County Animal Control immediately. Because "Mr. Sweet Potato Head" was picked up by animal control, his time is extremely limited!
Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570 (Ask for Kaylene)
Email: heardcountyanima@bellsouth.net
Using "Social Networking" to Help Shelter Pets
If you are a regular blogger, you are probably aware of several of the "social networking" sites. If you are a "social networking" newbie, Wikipedia describes "A social network service focuses on the building and verifying of online social networks for communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others, and which necessitates the use of software."
There are hundreds of different social networking services out there, but here are a few of my favorites, and tips on how you can use them to help shelter pets.
For all of its faults, Myspace is an AWESOME networking tool for animal rescue organizations. My cats have had their own myspace page for a couple years, and I've seen first-hand the power of networking there.
If your rescue organization does not have a Myspace page, drop what you are doing, and create one right now! It allows you to connect with thousands of pet lovers across the country, and even across the world. It is just another way to get the word out about your rescue efforts, and to spread the word about your pets in need.
The "bulletins" feature is especially helpful for animal rescue organizations. You can send out a bulletin to your "friends" with photos of your neediest pets, you can use it to announce a fund-raising drive, and you can use it to share good news. Even if you have only a few friends, some of those friends will inevitably pick up your bulletin and re-post it. Several organizations I support use this as a very effective fund-raising tool. If your friend list includes 300 people, and 30 of those friends pass your bulletin on to their friends list of 300, and 30 of each of those people pass on the bulletin, you can imagine the possibilities.
If you are a pet lover, you can help the efforts of animal rescue organizations through your Myspace page. Here are just a few ideas:
1. Add a link or banner on your profile page to your favorite animal welfare organization.
2. Blog about your favorite organization using the "blog" feature.
3. Join "groups" dedicated to your favorite organization, your favorite species, or your favorite breed.
4. Add animal rescue organizations as your "friends!" This is critical! The more "friends" these organizations have, the greater the reach of their network.
5. Make your favorite groups your "top friends" and proudly display them on your profile page. People browsing your page may be inspired to check out your top friends.
6. Pick a shelter or rescue organization and post a bulletin about their urgent pets in need, or post a bulletin about their current fund-raising effort. Encourage your friends to pass it on!
7. PASS THOSE BULLETINS ON!!!! This is the single most important way to help on Myspace!
Don't have any animal rescue friends on Myspace? Feel free to add Reekoe & Eddie, my cats. If I accidentally deny your request for friendship, please send a short note and ask me to add you. Most of the time I deny requests from "humans" because 99% of the time they are spammer profiles. Reekoe & Eddie's page can help you get started in animal rescue networking on Myspace.
For Facebook users, you can help animal rescue organizations by joining groups dedicated to various animal welfare issues, or by befriending animal rescue organizations. You can also help by posting information about your favorite organizations or posting links to their sites.
Think of the Care2 as a less trashy version of Myspace for online activists. There's all sorts of networking tools available on Care2, and to be honest, I haven't fully explored them all. Here's a brief rundown of the tools I have used:
1. Care2 is home to one of the two major "click to donate" sites. You can click daily FOR FREE to support various causes, including pets in need, saving the rainforest, ending violence against women, and more. Click daily!!
2. Care2 also has a vast network of "groups" which you can join which focus on a wide variety of interests. Each group has a "mini-forum" for spreading information about particular causes. These groups are an awesome way to promote pets in need! Not only can you cross-post information about pets in need and fundraisers throughout the Care2 community--you can cross-post that information to other social networking sites.
3. It also has a blog feature, and each time you post a blog, your friends automatically receive a copy of your post. In fact, anytime you contribute anything to the Care2 community, your friends are notified. It's a great way to keep your supporters or friends updated on your rescue activities, or the causes you support.
4. There is a News Network that is an incredible tool! You can submit news stories which are "noted" by other community members. The more "notes" they receive, the higher up they appear on the news page. Sort of like "Digg" for a different community. And since you are promoting stories to other people with similar interests, you usually get a pretty good response! This is a great way to help shelters and rescue organizations. If your favorite group is having a fundraiser, or if there is a dog or cat that is in desperate need of help, submit it, and it will be quickly passed around the Care2 community.
Care2 is one of my favorite sites. I get most of my information about what's going on in the world of animal welfare from this site. One of the problems with Myspace and other large social networking sites is that if you send out a message on behalf of an animal rescue organization, you often miss your target audience, or those you do hit, don't know what to do with the information, or simply don't care. With Care2, you are hitting your target audience square on. The best part about it is that the community is comprised of like-minded individuals, trying to do a little bit to make the world a better place.
Squidoo is sort of a cross between blogging and social networking. When you join Squidoo, you can create a "lens," which is essentially a simple web page. It's very easy! You don't need to know any html, and the templates are already made for you. You can even add templates to earn a little bit of money from your lens (although you have the option to donate any money to a charity of your choice). From there, you can link to other "lenses" of interest, and it creates a network of mini-websites. You can also add your "lenses" to groups to network.
Here's a sample of a "lens" I built to promote one of my favorite animal rescue organizations.
You can make your lens about any topic, and pet lovers, you can create one about your pet!
Squidoo is also a good tool for animal rescue organizations. Consider it an off-shoot of your main site, and keep it updated with your current rescue efforts, your fund-raisers, or your pets in need.
For pet lovers, you can promote your favorite organizations by linking to their websites, writing posts about them, or adding their "lens" to your "lensroll."
Stumbleupon is sort of a social networking site. What you do is "stumble" random sites or sites within an interest category you select. Then you give them the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down," and you can also write reviews. You can also submit sites that you find interesting by writing a short review. By some magical formula, Stumbleupon occasionally decides to send a flood of traffic to the site you "discovered."
Stumbleupon is kind of hit or miss as to whether your submitted site receives traffic. But when it rains it pours. Stumbleupon has the potential to send thousands of "stumblers" to the site you submit. I've found, however, that "stumblers" tend to be a fickle bunch. They normally don't spend much time at the sites as they "stumble" through them, so you've really got to get their attention. They tend to be looking for "instant gratification," if you will.
Anyone with an animal-welfare related site should definitely "stumble" your site, as its a great way to get some extra exposure. For pet lovers, consider downloading the Stumbleupon tool-bar and start submitting your favorite sites! Simply by "stumbling" a site, you can potentially send thousands of viewers to take a look! And give a "thumbs-up" to the sites you enjoy as you are "stumbling." (Please note, "stumbling" through sites is quite addictive!).
I'm sort of torn about Stumbleupon. I use it regularly, but haven't had too much luck in directing traffic to the sites I'm trying to promote. Once in a while, though, one will really hit the jackpot and get several thousand hits. On the other hand, "stumbling" is quite fun (and addicting) and I've run across some really amazing sites through the service. Consider giving it a try!
Now you tell me! Which "social networking" sites are your favorites? How do you use them to help shelter pets? Are there sites to avoid? Thanks in advance for your input!!
