Why Blogging is Good for the Rescue Community

I think sometimes rescuers really don't embrace the value of having a blog, or what the benefits are of having a blog. I know I didn't for a long time. I felt too much that a blog was like a diary for my deepest darkest saddest happiest rescue memories, and who really cares about all that but me?

But what I've realized from listening to people who read blogs, and who are into the blogging thing is that a blog can be such a powerful tool. It's the part of your website that doesn't have to be fact based, and statistic filled, and informational. It can be those, but it can also be a window into the story, a voice to give sound to the work going on.

Earlier this week this story came out about this Senator Kent Williams from South Carolina. This epitome of ignorance when it comes to animal welfare issues, and the kind of guy you want to spend some time working at the shelter, just so he finally GETS it. He had adopted this GSD from the SC shelter, and she wasn't spayed yet. (Another note, don't you think that by now the HSUS should be telling EVERY shelter and rescue why this is a STUPID IDEA?!?!?) Anyway, he never got her spayed, because he actually PLANNED TO BREED HER. (ah yes South Carolina shelter..... THIS IS WHY YOU SPAY AND NEUTER PRIOR TO ADOPTION).

Well lo and behold she turns up pregnant, and the good Senator from the South can't bother to find a way to keep her confined and on his property so he calls his good friend over at the shelter to come pick up his dog. He surrenders her, 8 days before giving birth to a KILL shelter. Good going Senator Williams, what a way to show your constituents how to behave!

It reminds me that all humans, even the ones who "love" animals don't always do the right things for the animals. Rescuers still have to deal every day with people who put things off until it's convenient for them, (oh like spaying and neutering their pets), or until they can afford them (that same person who thought our $100 adoption fee was too high so they got a free kitten on craigslist), and the guy who's moving TOMORROW and needs us to take his cat, those are the people we talk to every day that have a cat they need to give up, re-home etc right this second.

Those same people that if they had come to us a month ago, we probably could have helped. Given us some time to help find your cat a new home, given us some notice that your boy and girl cat are both not fixed and asked for our help before there's now 8 kittens and 2 adults that you no longer want to deal with. Trust me, there is no reason you can give me that I haven't already heard. 90% of the time, your reason is bogus - the real reason you are now wanting me to take care of your problem is that its no longer convenient for you.

So be honest, at least tell the truth. I'd much rather know what I'm getting into and what I have to work with. Because those other 10% are the ones that share our joy and our pain, and work WITH us. Like the lady who's daughter moved back home with 4 cats (2 of them very pregnant) and 2 kids, and then promptly left the whole brood with her. SIXTEEN kittens later..... yeah it's a little overwhelming for her. But she didn't call us and say hey you have to take these now.... she asked us to help her. So we're helping her. Food, litter, vet care. All of those kittens will be speutered and put up for adoption, and then we'll take care of the momma cats. The family will keep the mom's and the two older kittens, and everyone will be taken care of.

Rescue is expensive, and I actually WORK incredibly hard to fundraise for a cause that I believe in. So while I know the stray cat living in your back yard because your negligent neighbor left it behind when he moved isn't your problem either, realize that I AM helping you by offering to help you get this cat neutered for just $50 instead of the $120 or so you'd be charged anywhere else. Also know that if you are a feral cat caretaker and you have a colony of 20 that you need to take care of, I will bend over backward to help raise the money or find you other referrals to have that entire colony spayed and neutered and keep them fed because I KNOW what a huge commitment you are making to those cats.

If you're so inclined and still with me, please send a note to Senator Williams and let him know what you think of him dumping his pregnant GSD at the Marion County kill shelter! WILLIAMSK@scsenate.org

Keep your furfriends close tonight, and remember - encourage everyone you know to spay and neuter, and to adopt, not shop!