 |
| Placing Animals For Adoption |
| Free To Good Home? |
| Comforter Program |
| Living With Allergies |
| Spay/Neuter |
| Nine Next Steps To Ending America's Homeless Animal Tragedy |
| Household Dangers |
| Disaster Planning |
| Why Cats Need Claws |
| Vaccination Concerns |
Learn
Animal CPR  |
Promote Adoption Flyer in English & Spanish |
 |
 At the age of 10, Buck was brought to a shelter because he was "old." Luckily, he was rescued by a Homeless Animal Lifeline volunteer. |
Nine Next Steps To Ending America's Homeless Animal Tragedy
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Mohandas Gandhi
What can you do? The answers are simple, yet profound. Although the homeless animal problem in America is heart-breaking, it is also hopeful: this problem can be solved and we can all play a part. Moreover, solving this problem offers us the chance to become better people and to express the very best of our humanity. We believe this issue can be a stepping stone toward an expanding circle of compassion and action, and toward creating a society that is just and caring to all living beings - beginning with the precious ones "right in our own backyards."Once you've learned about the issue, these are the next steps that, one at a time, will help bring an end to America's homeless animal tragedy. We offer them to you in gratitude for your concern, and in hope.
1) Be Heroic.
Adopt your next animal companion from a shelter or rescue group. You will be saving an animal whose life literally depends on getting a new home.
2) Be Committed.
Know the commitment when you bring an animal into your family, and follow through on it. Your animal companion is utterly dependant on you for his health and well-being. Commit to providing the care he needs, to working through any problems, and to being his guardian for his entire life.
3) Be Smart.
Before you adopt an animal, take the time to learn so you can make a good choice. Different types of animals and breeds have different needs - make sure you know enough to choose an animal who will be compatible with you and your lifestyle.
4) Be Responsible.
There are already more animals than homes available. Spay or neuter your animals so they don't add even more to the staggering animal overpopulation problem.
5) Be Identified.
Millions of animals become lost each year and never make it back home. Make sure your animal is always carrying your contact information, via an ID tag (which is easy for anyone to use) and a microchip (which is permanent).
6) Be Prepared.
Make plans now for your animals' care should something happen to you. Many animals are in shelters because their guardians did not make such arrangements.
7) Be a Role Model.
Always demonstrate responsible and loving animal care, so that others will want to do the same.
8) Be a Supporter.
Volunteer, donate, and support your local animal shelter or rescue group, especially their programs that educate the community and prevent animals from becoming homeless and even needing to be in the shelter. These programs save lives.
9) Be a Teacher.
Many good-hearted people simply don't know about the homeless animal tragedy in this country, and would help if only they understood how their actions impacted the situation. Help spread the word; speak up and speak out for homeless animals.
Everyone can help end America's homeless animal tragedy.
©This information has been provided by No Voice Unheard, P.O. Box 4171, Santa Cruz, CA 95063. No Voice Unheard is a non-profit organization founded by Diane Leigh and Marilee Geyer, the authors of One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter.