Continued.......

Yesterday, while shelter hopping, I called the foster coordinator for Wayside Waifs.  I didn't hold out much hope, but she called me this morning.  She is going to take 2 of the kittens and place them in foster care.  She got us an appointment with admissions today.  She sounds like an amazing person, and I am so very grateful. 

The third kitten  is going to move in with my neighbors 24 year old daughter.  She is moving into a new apartment, and she and her little dog (who loves cats) were looking for another room mate! 

Thank you to everyone for all the advice and words of encouragement!!

A Day with Missouri's Animal Shelters

My husband and I recently had 3 kittens and a mama cat find us.  They had moved into the space behind the rose bushes and front window.  Several days passed and we thought they had moved on, however, our neighbor found the kittens under his lawn mower.  We decided we would take them, catch mom and have her spayed and either find homes or take the babies to a no kill shelter.

I contacted a group in Kansas that I knew helped people care for feral cat communities,  "No More Homeless Pets" and the Heartland SPCA.  I received a lot of good advice from the young lady that answered the phone.  She set me up an appointment to bring the mama cat to them.  They will spay her, give her all her shots, flea prevention, and notch her ear (universal sign a feral cat is spayed) for $25.  After her recovery I will bring her back and release her.  Fabulous cause, and an inspiring group of people.

We haven't yet had as much success finding homes for the babies.  We have 2 dogs that are not cat lovers, and unfortunatly I'm allergic to cats, so we cannot keep them.  Also, we are keeping them in a kennel, and they need some room to move. We decided today to vistit 2 of the better known no-kill shelters in the Kansas City, Missouri area.

Both of these shelters do good work, please don't misunderstand.  However, I was extrememly disappointed after visiting them.  I was told by both they were full.  One of them had a 4 month waiting period for animal surrender.  They told me I should take the kittens to the Kansas City Animal Control and Shelter.  I donate a lot of money to both these organizations each year, not that it makes me anymore deserving than anyone else, but I couldn't get over the attitude "Too bad - you are on your own".  I felt like I was in the scene from the movie Robin Hood where the woman at Maid Marion's house sticks her head thru a slot in the door after someone knocks and says "No more beggers", then slams it shut.  I felt like I was begging to get someone to help me save these kittens lives. 

We went to the KC Animal Control and Shelter.  If ANY organization needs help and donations, it's this one.  Although I'm not sure any donation to the city of KC would actually go to help the shelter.  The lady behind the counter was very nice but frustrated, and after seeing what she was going thru, who can blame her.  She said they would take the kittens for $10.  I asked her how long they would try to adopt them out before putting them down.  She replied that they had over 200 cats and kittens (I could go look if I wanted) and that they try to keep the kittens around as long as possible....then her words just trailed off.  I took her insinuation to mean not very long.  As we were standing there I watched a young girl, an employee or volunteer bring 4 puppies thru and to the back.  It tore at my heart.  I told my husband I just couldn't do it and he said "Let's take them back home".  

So here we are, still with the babies.  I think my message beyond the fact that the shelters could not or would not help me, is really people - get your pets spayed and neutered.  If you see a feral cat catch it and have it spayed or neutered, then re-release.  Heartland SPCA has a wonderful low cost program.  Also the lady at the KC Animal Shelter gave me a phone number for another organization that will do it for free.  These are the groups we should be focusing our attention and our financial donations towards.  Eliminate the problem before it becomes a problem!! 

If you know anyone who would like to have a kitten, please contact me at kerrilu@sbcglobal.net.  I will pay for the shots and the spay/neuter when the kitten reaches the proper weight.  My hope is to find them homes where they will know what special little creatures they are. 

http://www.nmhpkc.org/

A Friend's Goal - Team 2 Remember

A friend of mine from work plans to run in the 2011 ING New York City Marathon.  In addition to the goal of successfully completing the marathon, her team, "Team 2 Remember" is raising funds for the Alzheimer's Association.  This is a charity very close to her heart and the story on her fundraising page really touched mine.  I've always known she was an exceptional young lady, after reading this, I saw a little bit of what lies below the surface. 
I look forward to hearing about her trials as she works towards this goal, and celebrating her success.
Please read her story and consider donating by clicking on the link below. 

Team 2 Remember - Elizabeth Hodges

8 Things You Can Learn From an Action Heroine

1)  Fight for what you belive in
2)  Be resourceful
3)  Always have a plan B
4)  Don't rest on your laurels
5)  Get a signature look
6)  Know your enemies
7)  Don't be afraid of your own strengths
8)  Tap into your inner vixon

I don't remember where I got this list, but I've alway thought that if I followed these rules there was pretty much nothing I couldn't accomplish! 

It looks like Mother Nature is finally going to give us a nice, hot summer weekend - Enjoy!!

Desiderata - by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.


As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.


If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.


Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.  Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortunes.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.


Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.


And whatever your labors and aspirations
in the noisy and confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.


With all it's sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Kiva

Kiva is a very unique organization. I first became aware of it thru my sister in law.  I noticed her posting that she had "loaned" money to self employed individuals or groups in need of help to better themselves and the lives of their family and community. 

These groups use the "loans" to buy supplies or inventory for their businesses.  They then repay the loan thru their local agent, who sends it back to Kiva.  Kiva repays it's lenders.  You have the option of re-loaning the money, cashing out via PayPal, or donating it to the orgainzation for a tax receipt. 

I'm giving it a try.  I just made a $25 loan to a lady farmer in Armenia.  You can choose from many different industries or occupations when making your loan.  They also post the risk factor for each local agent (delinquency on repayment and default).  From what I could see, they all seem to have a pretty good ratings.

I'll let you know how my loan turns out.  My sister in law has high praise for the organization, so I believe it will turn out to be a very worthy charity.


 
 http://www.kiva.org/

We are a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world. Learn more about how it works.

Since Kiva was founded in 2005:

• 577,955 Kiva lenders
• $210 million in loans
• 98.71% Repayment rate

We work with:

• 133 Field Partners
• 450 volunteers around the world
• 60 different countries

Why we do what we do

We envision a world where all people - even in the most remote areas of the globe - hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others.
We believe providing safe, affordable access to capital to those in need helps people create better lives for themselves and their families.

How we do it

Making a loan on Kiva is so simple that you may not realize how much work goes on behind the scenes.
Kiva works with microfinance institutions on five continents to provide loans to people without access to traditional banking systems. One hundred percent of your loan is sent to these microfinance institutions, which we call Field Partners, who administer the loans in the field.
Kiva relies on a world wide network of over 450 volunteers who work with our Field Partners, edit and translate borrower stories, and ensure the smooth operation of countless other Kiva programs.
Learn more about how it works.

How we're funded

100% of every dollar you lend on Kiva goes directly towards funding loans; Kiva does not take a cut. Furthermore, Kiva does not charge interest to our Field Partners, who administer the loans.
Kiva is primarily funded through the support of lenders making optional donations. We also raise funds through grants, corporate sponsors, and foundations.
We are incredibly thankful for the support that has enabled us to do the work that has touched the lives of so many people

Book Review: “Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption” by Alyssa Willet, Adoption Supervisor at Wayside Waifs, Kansas City , MO

I have not yet read this book yet - but I am now. Alyssa's review really caught my attention.  I have followed the horrible story of what Michael Vick has done and continue to feel animosity towards his actions.  I don't believe an abuser this vile can be rehabilitated.  In my eyes, anyone who can hurt someone or something (child, the elderly or an animal) that is powerless is beyond redepmtion.

Animal Cruelty is something someone IS, not something someone does!! 

Kerri

Book Review: "Michael Vicks' Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption"
Written by Alyssa Willet
Adoption Supervisor at Wayside Waifs
Kansas City, Missouri

Regardless of how you feel about Pit bulls, I think an understanding can be made that they are the most abused and neglected dog breed. Also, regardless of how you feel about Michael Vick, Pit bull lovers owe a lot of credit to him. Wait a minute; hear me out. First, I don’t agree with anything he did to any of the animals on his property. Secondly, I dislike him with a passion for what he did and I have a hard time believing I will ever forgive him. However, if it were not for him being caught up in this ‘animal scandal’ I don’t believe the mistreatment of pit bulls (or fighting dogs in general), or the stigmas surrounding them, would ever be as spotlighted as it is now. Think about it. Whenever you hear the words “Dog fighting” or “Pit bulls,” you can’t tell me Michael Vick doesn’t cross your mind at least once. His fighting ring was national news!

Fifty-one dogs were rescued from Michael Vicks’ facility. Out of the 51, only 3 were decided to be unadoptable or unable to be rehabilitated. The others were sent to different shelters and sanctuaries to work on their socializing and obedience skills. They all were also required to pass the Canine Good Citizen Test before they were made available for adoption, which is a test of good manners and obedience. Some of these dogs are now trained therapy dogs, working with children or the elderly on a daily basis.

‘The Lost Dogs - Michael Vick’s Dogs and their tale of rescue and redemption” by Jim Gorant is a well written, non-biased book about what happened when the Vick Dogs were found. You not only hear the gruesome, and sometimes horrifying details of how his operation was run but you get the back story of how Vick grew up and how he was drawn to the dog fighting ring.

I will admit I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish the book. The first few chapters were unbearable, and I often had to put the book down after every chapter to reset myself and continue on. But I had to read it. I owed it to every single one of the Vick dogs, and every other abused animal, to know and educate myself about their story and how I could make the difference in changing society’s outlook on this misunderstood breed.

Gorant is a magazine editor for Sports Illustrated and he originally wrote an article that was the feature story of the issue about the Vick Dogs in 2008. He was amazed at the responses he received. Although most of the comments were positive, there were a handful that asked ‘There are homeless, starving people in the world; why should we care about dogs?” or “Why does it matter? They’re just dogs.” Simply, Gorant replies “As for why our bond with them matters, there are reasons for that, too….a famous Gandhi quote: ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ The idea being that in order to lift the whole of society, you must first prop up the lowest among its many parts. If you show goodwill and kindness toward those who cannot stand up for themselves, you set a tone of compassion and goodwill that permeates all.”

In Gorant’s book you get to meet, and learn about, three particular dogs and their struggles and triumphs. You learn about a dog who would constantly go into ‘pancake mode’ (when a dog is so frightened or shy that they lie completely flat on the ground) and how she ends up trusting and loving her foster mom. You find out about a young male who was so wound up, his foster dad (who eventually turned into his forever dad) didn’t think he would ever pass his Canine Good Citizen Test, but is now a part of a children’s therapy program that encourages children to read. I would love to say that every ending is a happy one but unfortunately, that is not the case.

If Gorant’s book shows you anything, it’s that you can not judge a dog based on their breed or what you hear about them. These pit bulls were taken from a dog fighting bust, and they love, seek out, and desire affection and attention. Pit bulls make up about 80% of all dogs in city shelters. Many cities ban the breed just because of what they’ve heard, not because of the facts. Yes, pit bulls can be dangerous - but I personally know more Chihuahua’s who have caused physical damage than any other dog. And on another note, there is no such thing as “lock jaw.” It is a myth.

Gorant successfully demonstrates how truly wonderful the Pit bull breed is (I know, pit bull isn’t really a breed, but it’s easier than saying all of the actual breed names). They are loving, loyal, and a lot of fun. Just like any other dog they have certain instincts that you have to be aware of. They can get wound up very quickly and it’s hard to calm them down, so they need plenty of exercise. They tend to have a high prey drive, so having a small animal and a pit bull can be a challenge; but it’s not impossible. I personally know of two adopters who have pit bulls AND cats and they can coexist (and even sleep together) peacefully.

I live with four dogs — two lab mixes and two pit bulls (one is about 1 ½ years old and the other is about 3 months old). I also live with three cats and a ferret. They all coexist and even get along. There hasn’t been one fight, and the oldest pit bull is probably the most easygoing dog of the group. She was rescued from a chain after starving for a few months but you would never know it. She is one of the best dogs I have ever met. If you feel the same way about pit bulls as I do, purchase or borrow The Lost Dogs. It is a great read for pit bull advocates, and an even better read for those who don’t know anything about the breed, or are frightened by the rumors they have heard. Those who are uneducated about the breed tend to be the ones who cause the most harm to it

Written by Alyssa Willet
Adoptions Supervisor at Wayside Waifs