Each
year thousands of animals across the United States are put to sleep, for no
fault of their own. These animals are not at fault nor do they deserve such
treatment. Every year I personally save
approximately one hundred of these animals from being killed. I began my volunteering efforts in 2004 by
collecting donations for St. Hubert’s of Madison New Jersey. I learned about the cause of pet overpopulation
at St. Hubert’s. When my family decided
to get a dog, I persuaded them into adopting one rather than buying a dog from
a breeder or supporting a puppy mill. In 2007 I wanted to do more than just
collect donations for the shelter, I wanted to foster. I had searched on
Petfinder.com and found Purrs N Pups Animal Rescue. They were looking for
volunteer fosters and it seemed like a perfect match for me. I applied and my I
received my first fosters on July 1 2007. When we brought our foster dogs up to
the adoption event, I found out that I could come to every adoption event even
if I didn’t have fosters. I began to go to adoptions every week, and I also
became more involved. Each week I would make cage tags for each of the animals
that would be at the next adoption event.
In September of 2007, I was invited to go to a High-Kill Animal Shelter
with a Director of Purrs N Pups. The director wanted to me to understand the
impact “I” was making. That day she
had taught me that each animal I speak up for, “I” rescue. From that day
forward I knew I would do animal rescue for the rest of my life. I was taught
by the same Director, who is also a vet tech, how to administer vaccines,
microchips, and different medication. I have also learned how to deliver and
feed newborn kittens, and puppies and witnessed a dog having c-section. Currently, I run a blog page and a Facebook
page for Purrs N Pups Animal Rescue. I
also write up contracts, file paperwork, recruit volunteers and fosters,
foster, help at adoption days, administer vaccines, microchips, help plan
events, and raise money for the group.
Volunteering with Purrs N Pups Animal Rescue has helped me make a
difference in the world by not only saving the lives of animals, but also placing
them in forever homes. By creating the Blog page and Facebook Page I have been
able to spread to the public, information about Purrs N Pups Animal Rescue, and
the importance of altering and adopting their pets. Volunteering has boosted my
confidence and helps me feel comfortable standing up for what I believe in. A
person will never regret volunteering; they will however regret not volunteering. It is important to be confident
and stand up for what someone believes in, even if others around you may not
believe the same things. The best part about almost anything is the challenge
it take to get there, one of the most challenging parts of animal rescue is the
daily ignorance of people when they do not understand why it is important to
adopt rather than just to pick the cute puppy in the pet store’s window. Almost
100% of the time the animals in pet stores are from animal mills or back yard breeders,
and when people buy an animal from them it promotes the breeder to produce more
and keep the inhumane conditions.
Another challenge is that, many people do not know that everyday
adoptable animals are being killed for no reason but that they ended up in an
overcrowded shelter, and when I try to explain they do not want to believe it,
and I feel defeated at times, but it just makes me try harder. The best part of
animal rescue is when the animals “I”
rescue find their forever home. Although I may shed tears, they are always
tears of joy. I never forget the joy and unconditional love in the new pet
owner’s eyes! That joy helps me move on
to my next foster, and rebuild its heart.
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