Well, I have decided to get involved in volunteering at the Kokomo Humane Society. I know what you're all thinking...I'm going to end up with 5,000 pets at home after it's all said and done. Maybe you're right, but I'm going to try to control myself.My inspiration behind this decision has been a book called "The Man Who Talks to Dogs." A friend of mine from St Louis gave it to me for Christmas, and I can't get it out of my mind.
The book is about a man who has taken the strays of St Loius and given them some hope. He has set up several programs for adoption, shelters that didn't exist, broken up large dog fighting rings, and has helped with the huge puppy mill problems in the big cities. His personal story of how a dog basically saved his life is very moving, but much too detailed to get into here.
I know we all have our own problems and families to take care of, but there are so many little things we can do to help the homeless and hopeless animals in our community.
Here are a few pictures of some of the sweeties in Kokomo waiting for homes right now. (I had to do that to tug your heart strings a little)
The program I'm mainly trying to get involved in is where you take a pet from the shelter to nursing homes or assisted living homes to visit patients and people who live in these places. (Ryan said "great, you'll bring home a ton of pets AND old people. You know you'll fall in love with everyone!") I have already gotten my dog Jerry involved in this type of thing here at work. He is a huge inspiration in his little wheelchair to so many patients at the hospital.
There are so many things that can be donated to help the shelter care for their animals. I posted a list of some of the things that are easy to get...just incase anyone is interested.
~ Blankets
~ Small Rugs
~ Collars (multiple sizes)
~ Leashes (this could also include harnesses, 'gentle-leaders', snap-off cat collars)
~ Towels and washcloths
~ Carpet pieces or small rugs
~ Non-clumpable cat litter
~ Dog and cat food
~ Purina Puppy Chow (because of their sensitive digestion system, we keep them on a consistant diet)
~ Grooming supplies (shampoos, brushes, combs, fingernail clippers,etc.)
~ Small animal pet food (rodent food, rabbit pellets, guinea pig pellets, bird seed, alfalfa or Timothy hay)
~ Aspen or Pine litter for bedding (NO CEDAR SHAVINGS, please)
~ Small animal cages (bird cages, small pet cages, aquariums)
~ Pet toys for cats
~ Larger pet toys for dogs (small toys and balls get down in drains)
~ Laundry detergent
~ Any other miscellaneous pet supplies YOU can think of !
Anyway, just keeping you up to date on my latest obsession. If anyone is interested in donating anything at all, or donating any time, let me know, and I will take care of dropping off any items, or getting any info you may need for any other interests about the strays and the shelter.
2 comments:
Hey Allison, Becky just started a non-profit group for animals. I'm not sure what her mission is but she needs volunteers. If you're intersted, email me and I'll get you her email address
That's great Allison! I know they need help. I used to take stuff up there when I was single and had money! Mostly treats:) I knew they needed rugs and carpet and stuff, but I never thought about laundry detergent!!
I'll see if I have stuff I can take up there that we're not using anymore for Mollie.
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