One female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years. More than 11 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year. Millions more are abandoned in rural and urban areas. 61% of all dogs and 75% of all cats entering shelters are destroyed. I have a passionate love for animals. How could I not help? When I saw some of the conditions they had to live in shelters, I was heart broken. I saw animals starving, dying and suffering. How they could let it get that bad is beyond me. Not to mention, the euthanization level was out of control. I felt the public should become aware of this. I have promoted the project everytime I have had the chance. Public speeches, newspaper articles, flyers. You name it, I have done it. I want everyone to know that this is a reoccurring problem that needs to be fixed. With the help of the community and agencies such as the ASPCA, it can be fixed and I wanted to inform the public that they can take part in it.With my small part, we have raised over $5,000 and 3 tons of food for the animals in Southeast Kansas.
vital stats:
people impacted:
100
people involved:
10
why it's important:
I first started with the basic collection jars and flyers around town. Then we started working with the media to inform the public about the service project. We worked with local animal shelters and the vets in the area. I started getting help from local volunteers who had heard about us and wanted to help. The most difficult part is stressing to the pet owners that they had to be responsible. PAWS FOR THE CAUSE is on ongoing project. There will always be a need. I believe always keeping the issue in the public's view will help the project grow. They may read an article in the paper or see a collection jar at the grocery store; it will remind them that the animals need their help. With public education, the issues of these animals are addressed. There have been more sterilizations and adoptions. Less animals have to be put down.
the plan of action:
One of the next steps for PAWS FOR THE CAUSE would be to set up a few low cost sterilization clinics. I live in the poorest county of the state so this is s great need. Proper care for an animal includes having it spayed or neutered. I hope to offer this for the elderly on fixed income and for the working poor. Another goal would to be able to run weekly newspaper ads with animals looking for a good home. We all know that can be expensive but I think it would be a tremendous tool to put faces to these animals. PAWS FOR A CAUSE is on ongoing project but I would like to see these goals reached by the spring time. I don't want to se those litters of kittens and puppies put down because the pet owner was not able to afford the spaying or neutering. It would be awesome to have animals adopted from the newspaper instead of the potential owners going to a puppy mill.
how you can get involved:
Get the word out!
project updates:
08/03/2009
**Press releases & pictures were emailed to J Wells**
PAWS FOR THE CAUSE is still going strong in Baxter Springs Kansas. With the help of Do Something, more animals were spayed/neutered, received the medical attention they needed, were advertized for adoption and found new homes. Due to the publicity, more donations are coming in to thelp the animals. I'm going to write all the local schools this fall and let them know that if they are looking for a fundraising project, PAWS FOR THE CAUSE would love their help. One class of 5th graders donated $400 in May! I'm redoing all of my labels and jars this summer to give the project a clean look. Thank you Do Something!!
This is an amazing feat, and I only hope that the people in my area will continue with what I have started and help the lives of abused and neglected animals. I hope that my project will one day reach the enormity of yours and extend beyond our community and become statewide. I am so thankful that there are people like us who live to improve the lives of animals.
Please keep up the hard work. There were many times in the beginning when I thought "Why am I trying, nobody cares". But they only needed educated. Now the entire town supports the cause.
This is such wonderful work. Great job!!! I am really touched by the issue of overpopulation of cats and dogs. I visited the Seattle Animal Shelter yesterday to pick up two foster cats and was heartbroken to see so many homeless felines in cages. There are just too many animals and not enough homes! I completely agree that spaying and neutering are SO important. I will definitely spread the word. And also, to everyone reading this, fostering cats or dogs is a small way to make a huge difference! Sometimes for the animal whether you can give it a temporary home or not means life or death because shelters are so full. Please consider fostering along with your other projects! :)
Comments
This is an amazing feat, and I only hope that the people in my area will continue with what I have started and help the lives of abused and neglected animals. I hope that my project will one day reach the enormity of yours and extend beyond our community and become statewide. I am so thankful that there are people like us who live to improve the lives of animals.
Keep up the good work!!!!
Thank you for the positive comments and feedback.
Please keep up the hard work. There were many times in the beginning when I thought "Why am I trying, nobody cares". But they only needed educated. Now the entire town supports the cause.
This is such wonderful work. Great job!!! I am really touched by the issue of overpopulation of cats and dogs. I visited the Seattle Animal Shelter yesterday to pick up two foster cats and was heartbroken to see so many homeless felines in cages. There are just too many animals and not enough homes! I completely agree that spaying and neutering are SO important. I will definitely spread the word. And also, to everyone reading this, fostering cats or dogs is a small way to make a huge difference! Sometimes for the animal whether you can give it a temporary home or not means life or death because shelters are so full. Please consider fostering along with your other projects! :)
I love what you've done though its a great idea and i hope you continue it on.
~Lovely Lexie Rider
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