Troubling economic times are thought to be the blame for families dropping off their pets at area animal shelters. Several pet shelters around the country have seen a spike in the number of owner-surrendered pets and the growth of orphaned pets at animal shelters illustrates how teh weak economy is also shrinking the group of potential adopters. Even if they are notutilizing the local shelter, some owenrs are turning over thwir pet companions to other family memebers or friends. thos who cannot afford the upkeep of a pet or others who are losing their home and downsizing to an apratment, are forced to surrender their pets. According to USA Today, pet shelters nationwide say this is the first yeawr they have had people surrendering because they can't afford to keep them.
USA Today listed an Associated Press-Petside.com poll that revealed one in seven owenrs nationwide reported erduced spending on their pets during thepast year's recession. The American Pet Product Association National Pet Owners Survey states the average annual cost of a cat could run up to $1,000.
Unfortunately, the problem promoted by the economy is not easilty fixed and although we can't take every orphaned animal home as we would like, we can help in littel ways so taht other people can.
Whether you walk dogs at your local shelter, stuff envelopes for an educational mailing or assist wih a fund-rasing event, you can make a difference in the lives of animals. Becoming a part of the solution is rewarding and offers the opportunity to join a network of people working towards one unified goal to make the world safe and more humand for all living creatures, especially in this time of economic uncertainty.
How You Can Help
Below is a list of common volunteer opportunities available at a pet shelter near you.
- Administrative Support: assist with projects such as stuffing mailings for the shelter's development team, making phonce calls for staff and putting together training packets for volunteers
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Adoption and Socialization: Spend time with the animals, offering them the support they need and also pre-screen potential adopters.
- Animal Admissions: Assist the staff and the public as animals are being truned into the shelter.
- Public Clinics: Help with administrative duties to low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination services.
- Special Events: Help coordinate and promote community events and work public information booths.
Word has it that the pet elevation trend has reached the tipping point and beginning its fade. I overheard a customer in my store say to her friend, "this is the last sweater I buy for my dog." And then she didn't even buy it, she put it back. All she bought was a squeaky toy. I can't make it on squakey toys!! If business doesn't pick up soon, I'll have to close my store.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 2009 at 06:47 PM