Spay-Neuter-Adopt

Help make euthanasia a thing of the past
Have your pet spayed or neutered

A female cat and her offspring can produce over 12,500 kittens in five years. A great majority of them become homeless. The euthanasia of many thousands of unwanted cats and kittens takes place each year.

A Tribute To Those Who Have Ever Fostered:

To My Foster Mom

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

(Author unknown)

The best doctor in the world is the veterinarian. He can't ask his patients what is the matter-he's got to just know - Will Rogers

The Gift

Eyes fearful, paws worn

A sorrowful sight

So forlorn

Love they said would be the cure

For the suffering

You had endured

So our family grew that day

We brought you home

With us you'd stay

Slowly, gently the bond it grew

Faithful, loyal

Loving, true

Looking back it's so unclear

How we got by

Without you here

Trusted Companion,

devoted friend

You give and give

It never ends

They said we were a gift to you

But now we know

Who rescued who.

- J. M. BERRY

If you can't decide between a Shepherd, a Setter, or a Poodle, get them all....adopt a mutt! --ASPCA

The Humane Society of the US

Low Cost or Free Spay and Neuter Programs in the US

Spay USA

Dear Mom and Dad,

I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barley used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge.

Would I still be at home if I hadn’t chewed your shoe? I didn’t know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get me puppy toys.

Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did made me ashamed I had to go at all. There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door.

Would I still be at home if I hadn’t brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine, I couldn’t get them off me after you left me in the yard for days and days.

Would I still be home if I hadn’t barked and barked? I was only saying “I’m scared, I’m lonely, I’m here, I’m here! I want to be your best friend.”

Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn’t help.

Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach me manners? You didn’t pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me.

I died today.

Links:

List of Shelters, Humane Societies, and Rescue Organizations Worldwide

What is animal cruelty?

Report animal abuse and neglect

I Am Famous Now

I was born today. One of 10. My daddy was very famous. I have lots of half brothers and sisters. My mother is very famous. Since she got famous, she has only had puppies. No more loving hands, no more fun trips...just puppies. She is always sad when they leave her.

I left home today. I didn't want to go, so I hid behind my mama and my three littermates that were left. I didn't like you. But one day they said I would be famous. I wonder—is famous the same as fun and good times? So you picked me up and carried me away, even though you were concerned about me hiding from you. I don't think you liked me.

My new home is far away. I am scared and afraid. My heart says be brave. My ancestors were. Did they go to good homes like mine? I'm hungry because I can't eat too much because it will be bad for my bones. I can't bite or snap when the children are mean to me. I just run and play and pretend I am in a big green field with butterflies and robins and frogs. I can't understand why they kick me. I am quiet, but the man hits and says loud things. The lady doesn't feed me good things like I had with my mother. She just throws dry food on the ground, then goes away before I can get too close for touching and petting.

Sometimes my food smells bad, but I eat it anyway.

Today I had 10 puppies. They are so wonderful and warm. Am I famous now? I wish I could play with them, but they are so tiny. I am so young and playful that it is hard to lay here in this hole under the house nursing my puppies. They are crying now. I am so hungry. I scratch and worry my fur. I wish someone would throw me some food. I am also very thirsty. I now have eight. Two got cold during the night and I couldn't make them warm again. They are gone. We are all very weak. Maybe if I take them out on the porch, we can get some food.

Today they took us away. It was too much trouble to feed us and someone came to take us away. Someone grabbed my puppies; they were crying and whimpering. We were put in a truck with boxes in it. Are my babies famous now? I hope so, because I miss them. They are gone.

The place smelled of urine, fear, and sickness. Why was I here? I was beautiful, like my ancestors. Now I am hungry, dirty, in pain, and unwanted. Maybe the worst is unwanted. No one came though I tried to be good.

Today someone came. They put a rope on my neck and led me to a room that was very clean and had a shiny table. They put me on the table. Someone held me and hugged me. It felt so good!!! Then I felt tired and lay over the last one who cared. I am famous now. Today someone cared.

Author Unknown