Thursday, April 21, 2011

R is for Rescues

I've learned about many wonderful rescue organizations and animal welfare groups since I started writing for Best Friends, so I decided to share a few of them for my R post.

I'm starting right here in my home town of Cincinnati, with the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry. This is an amazing, all-volunteer organization that provides pet food to needy families in our area. With the economy the way it is, it's no secret that more and more people are relying on food pantries and social service organizations to help them get through these tough times. When people have already lost so much, I think being able to keep their cherished pet in the midst of so much uncertainty must be an extraordinary comfort. I really admire the folks behind the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry, and I would encourage anyone in the area to check them out, and support them if possible.

Another great local organization is the United Coalition for Animals, or UCAN. I visited the UCAN clinic last month during their Pets In Need veterinary clinic, and saw first-hand how much they help low income pet parents by providing basic veterinary care to those in financial need. UCAN's primary mission is to keep the pet population down by offering low cost spay and neuter surgeries, and they are now celebrating their 32,000th surgery since their opening in 2007. It's impossible to imagine how many feline and canine lives have been saved, and how many pets have been kept in homes and out of shelters, since this fabulous clinic first opened their doors.

Moving across the country now to Nevada, and the Shelter Pet Rescue Network. Another all-volunteer organization, SPRN focuses on rescuing animals in danger of euthanasia at county shelters, and caring for them in foster homes until they can be adopted by new families. SPRN focuses on "bullie breeds," and is dedicated to helping improve the reputation of pit bull dogs, but they will rescue and care for any companion animals. When I talked with them, they had just taken in a litter of kittens, and the kittens had made themselves right at home among the much bigger pit bulls. One need only look at SPRN's "Happy Tails" for the past few years to see what a difference they have made for so many Nevada animals.

Finally coming back East, and my favorite of the organizations I have written about, Tabby's Place in Ringoes, New Jersey. Tabby's Place is a cat sanctuary, and a place like no other I have encountered. They specialize in cats who are considered "unadoptable," such as those with physical problems or other special needs, those who are older, or simply those who don't have the best personality in the world. All of them have a home at Tabby's Place, and all are cared for by people who love them just as they are. If you'd like to read more about the feline occupants of Tabby's Place, click here for an article I wrote about some of the kitties who captured a special place in my heart.

These are just four of the organizations that I've had the good fortune to discover, and I look forward to learning about many more like them. It's amazing to me to see how many grass roots groups are operating all over the country, doing their best to help animals who are unable to help themselves. In a world that can often be harsh, it's a gift to see so much kindness, and to meet so many who are willing to lend a helping hand to both people and animals in need.

12 comments:

  1. They all sound like wonderful organizations. I especially like the idea of having a pet food pantry for people who have fallen on hard financial times. Right now so many of the shelters are over run with animals and if the difference between another animal going to a shelter or being able to stay with the people they love them is food, then it makes sense to have a place where they can get the food for them. I'm not sure if they have a food pantry for animals around me. I know our local shelter has fallen on hard time. Thankfully many of the local businesses have come together and put out bins so people can conveniently donate money and/or food, etc. to help.

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  2. Julie, what a great idea and great post! I love the story about Tashi and Biali, isn't it amazing how animals sometimes show kindness like that? And I love Tashi's wheels. This is the best post ever.

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  3. Great post! These rescues are so wonderful for doing what they do.
    Great meeting you through the A-Z!

    nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  4. Julie, it's so wonderful that you're volunteering at the Pet Food Pantry! These rescue centers are amazing, and it's great that you shed a light on them. Julie

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  5. Hi Julie! Great post! My last 2 dogs were both found at a shelter. We got Tiger when she was 6 months old and she lived to be almost 14 yrs old. Now we have Vern. He is 9-1/2 yrs old and we love him to pieces. I hope he lives for many more years!

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  6. Wonderful post, it's good to know about some of the resources out there for pets. The pet food pantry is a great idea as are the other resources.

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  7. this is wonderful. I love hearing about all the good that so many organizations are doing. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. These sound like great organizations! I'd never thought about a pet food pantry before, but it's a great idea. It would be hard to fall on hard times and not be able to provide for a pet. Great post!

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  9. These all sound like great organizations. Glad you posted these. I couldn't imagine living without my cat. I'm glad there are organizations people can go to for pet supplies and low cost pet care. Also I am all in favor of organizations that help pit bulls and kitties.

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  10. I'd be more involved with the local shelters if I didn't have such rotten allergies. :(

    It was such a challenge finding a "hypoallergenic" dog for the family! Luckily, we did, but I would have preferred adopting.

    The shelters told us with everyone being laid off and losing their homes, they are forced into rentals that won't accept pets. No one is able to take them, so they are finding more and more abandoned. So sad!

    Sandi
    http://www.ahhsome.wordpress.com

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  11. I love animals domestic and wildlife, this was a wonderful post as I hate to see animals neglected or ill treated.

    Thanks for the two comments left of my blog ,very much appreciate them.
    Yvonne,

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  12. @Amy, I agree, I thought the pet food pantry was such a great idea. I have heard too about the shelters being so over-run, it's so heartbreaking to think of people having to give up their pets when they have already lost so much.

    @Melissa, thanks! I got such a kick out of Tashi's wheels too, he's such a cutie! :)

    @nutschell, it's great to meet you too, thanks! I'm looking forward to checking out your blog.

    @Julie, thanks!

    @Becky, I hope you have Vern for many years to come as well. Cute name! Shelter dogs are wonderful, no doubt. :)

    @Claire, thanks! I'm always impressed that people come up with things like the pet food pantry, I think it's such a great idea, but I never would have thought of it myself.

    @Caren, it is nice to hear about good things when there is so much sad news around. Glad you liked the post!

    @Karen, I bet your dog is a gem. Thanks!

    @Kendal, that's just what I thought, I never would have thought of the pantry myself, but it must be such a huge help to people who are struggling if they can keep their beloved pet.

    @Carrie, I agree completely! I thought it was so cute to imagine the kitties and pit bulls together. :)

    @ahhsome, that's what I have heard too, so many people are having to move to apartments where they can't have pets. It's such a sad situation. Your hypoallergenic dog is such a doll! :)

    @Yvonne, I agree 100%, I love all animals. Thanks!

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