Introduction to Homeless Animals Wake County animal shelters are extremely overcrowded which leads to the countless deaths of these animals everyday.These animals are being sent to these shelters so often that other animals have to be euthanized to allow space for new animals. There are many organizations that are trying to start their own shelters that are “no kill” shelters but these organizations need a lot of funding. The largest “no kill” organization in Wake County is the SPCA (http://spcawc.convio.net/site/PageServer). This issue interests everyone in our group because we all have pets and we know how much one of these animals could mean to a family. A lot of people don't realize how severe this issue is and how many animals are getting euthanized. If this information gets out I believe people will reconsider adopting a pet because they will be saving it's life. “Across the US 1 out of every 10 pets find a permanent home” (Mosby Foundation 2015), everyone in our community needs to help out and raise the percentage of animals that have permanent homes. The Issue In 2010, the Wake County ASPCA had more than 4,000 incoming animals. They also had more than more than than 4,000 outgoing animals, however, more than 800 animals were euthanized, more than 100 were transferred, and 100 more died. (Guidestar.org 2010) This means that around ¼ of the animals in that shelter didn't find homes. When you add that to the fact that of the 70 million stray animals in the US, only 6.5 million are adopted by shelters, you realize how little we are helping stray animals. (ASPCA.org 2014) In October 2009, the Wake County Animal Center had over 1,000 dogs in one weekend. While some were adopted, the shelter was filled so much to capacity that almost all pets dropped off were euthanized. The next year, they euthanized about 59% of their animals. In 2012 they euthanized over 700 more.(Indyweek.com 2015) While this issue may seem minor to you, it is life and death to those animals. This has always been an issue in Wake County, and we need to solve it. This is a problem in our community, because it puts life at risk. Even though it may not seem important, because it doesn't really impact you, it is. Each animal killed because there is no room for it has feelings, hopes and they just want to be loved. If we let this problem continue, we could let thousands of pets die for no reason. Also, if we let overcrowding continue, many pet owners might just release a pet they can't take care of into the wild, which is even more dangerous. Current Solutions Despite the major problem, there have been many attempts to fix it. People in the community are making sure that they only adopt animals that they are sure they are fit to take care of. Others serve by fostering the homeless animals in their crowded shelters. Some organizations serve the animals by helping in their own ways. C.A.R.E. For Animals works with responsible, caring foster homes for homeless animals.They also provide pet owner assistance for those needing help taking care of their animals who might lose them because of complications preventing animals in homes from losing their homes. (http://www.careforanimals-nc.org/). The SPCA is a no kill animal shelter. Despite being no kill, they generally aren’t overcrowded. This is because of a low cost in their spay/neuter clinic, people see the no-kill and want to help, a good local government that cares about rehoming the animals, and a good community of people determined to help. The Saving Grace also helps the cause especially people who want to help but only want the “perfect dog.” They are a non-profit organization that hand picks their dogs to be compatible with other dogs and children. They also train the dogs a little as well. This organization is perfect for someone who wants to help but only wants a really good dog or has a family situation only a dog from here could suit. Although these organizations have helped, there is still a need. No-kill shelters have limited space. Other ones, such as the Wake County Animal Care, Control and Adoption Center, have more room because they put animals down. Places like this are the ones mostly in need of help. “Through May 31, according to county records, the shelter had taken in 10,406 animals in 2015, and had euthanized 3,143 of them, just over 30 percent.” (Montgomery 2015). The sad part of this is that is improvement from the weekend in October in 2009 and the years following. This many animals being euthanized with all of the help already being given is why there is still a need in the community. Only you can help. Our Solution As kids there is only so much we can do to help with this problem. We can't build a shelter, or adopt animals. But, we can help organizations that are already protecting these animals. C.A.R.E. for Animals is a non profit volunteer organization. Their mission is “To improve the quality of life of our animal friends by strengthening the bond between humans and animals; ending suffering due to abandonment, abuse, and neglect; and eliminating the need for euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in our shelters.” So, as our community project, we will be donating supplies to them. (C.A.R.E.for Animals-nc.org 2017) Starting on May 15th, we will be collecting toys, beds, bowls, blankets, comforters, collars, leashes, dog crates, cat litter, cat carriers and towels for the C.A.R.E. for Animals organization. We will be collecting the supplies in bins outside the cafeteria. The drive will end at the end of the week on May 19th. We will then use a truck that a parent will volunteer to drive, to transport the supplies to C.A.R.E. for Animals. This is a good idea to help with overcrowding in shelters because everyone can help. If we volunteer one day, some students may be busy, not have transportation or forget about it. If we do a drive, it will happen at Martin during school hours, so everyone can participate. Also, everyone will know about it, since we will advertise it with posters and a video on the news. Our goal for this project is to collect one bin full of supplies from each home room. We will know we have achieved it when every bin from the drive is full. While we cannot wave a magic wand and fix this problem, we hope this will help to solve it. (The action plan chart can be accessed at the bottom of the blog) Works Cited "Welcome." C.A.R.E. For Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2017. "SPCA of Wake County." The SPCA of Wake County. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2017. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. "No Room at the Wake County Animal Center." Indy Week. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2017. "SPCA of Wake County FAQ about No-Kill - SPCA of Wake County." SPCA of Wake County FAQ about No-Kill - SPCA of Wake County. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2017. Wral. "NC Shelter Kills 99 Percent of Animals, Records Show." WRAL.com. N.p., 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2017. N.p., 3 Mar. 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. Images Cute Kitten. N.d. Amazingly Cute Kittens. Web. <https://www.tes.com/lessons/-ZIzCY-Wm24Ttw/amazingly-cute-kittens>. Puppy. N.d. Playbuzz. Web. <http://www.playbuzz.com/laureni11/what-cute-baby-animal-are-you>. Redcoon Hound. N.d. Pinterest. Web. <https://www.pinterest.com/source/dog-trainer.pw/>. Sad Puppy. N.d. Daily Dot. Web. <https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/hugo-award-nominees-sad-puppies/>.
0 Comments
Locally we are struggling to save our parks. Budget cuts on them are not helping. These cuts are causing possible shut down. In 2012, as an example, it was considered to shut down the parks for the winter. All of this is an issue as people who work at the parks would lose their jobs and a huge source of entertainment of going down to the park would be lost. Since the parks would be shut down if they didn’t get enough money in them(assuming it would ever get this bad), someone need to buy them. There is very little chance that the company buying the park would be environmentally friendly, so more than likely they would use it for their purpose. This would have North Carolina lose trees that we desperately need with a society always setting up environmentally destructive industries. This also would have many animals lose their homes, possibly wiping out entire populations. Our community would have more pollution, more dead animals on the streets desperately looking for homes, local people would lose their jobs, and many people who just enjoy going in nature to take a hike would be furious. I am personally interested in this issue as I really enjoy going to my local state park and taking a hike with my dog. We both really enjoy the parks more than the streets. This makes me feel personally motivated to help the cause because I want to keep our parks. Others should care as well because so many people enjoy hiking and other recreational activities in these parks. Although our state gets more than 14 million visits a year in these state parks, the number of grants to our parks went from 47 in 2012 to just 14 in 2013. This 14 million visits show the public has the support of the parks we just need you, the everyday people to help. By spreading the word about the problems we could gain support and save the parks. By having everyone donate to the parks that will help keep them running. As well as that if we could get businesses to support and sponsor the parks there wouldn’t be a problem. However, that might not work. Another approach is to vote in leaders supporting the parks to help the effort. If we do our best to save the parks they will be enjoyed for generations to come.
http://www.wral.com/-wife-said-no-wake-shelter-records-show-why-animals-are-returned/14097269/
The issue of dogs and cats being left at shelters is a horrible issue with not enough attention put into it. Some of these unfortunate animals have to go to the shelter get adopted, go through all of this stress only to be put back into the shelter. I am personally interested and horrified by it because I have a dog that I couldn’t imagine giving him up despite how bad he is. I found the article wondering why so many people are giving up their animals to shelters and why sheltered dogs and cats keep ending back up in these shelters. I personally am connected to the issue as I feel it ruins a living animal’s life to be adopted and then returned to a shelter. I believe that adopting a pet means that you personally promise it to take care of it and make sure it never goes to the pound. This mostly affects me by mentally traumatizing me and I am sure others feel similar. By being so scarred by the horrid events it slows my work and others, thus slowing down our nation in a little way. It also ruins the life of these pets which affects the lives of pets in my community. Everyone should care about the issue as the lives of these living animals are having their lives ruined and it should be thought about and stopped. In order to stop animals being given away when you adopt an animal make sure you have the money, time, space, and other things you need to have when getting an animal. Do some research and it is recommended that you visit the animal multiple times making sure it would be good for you before getting it. If everyone were to keep their dogs and cats there would be no issue and when you think of adopting an animal make sure you can take care of it. |
Archives
May 2017
Categories |