Just about any situation can be worked out, if you even have to consider giving up your special friend. Please consider how this will affect your animal. There usually is a way to be able to keep your beloved pet, you just have to work it through. I feel that our animals are like our children. They should be loved and cared for as we would care for any person in our family.

Having seen first hand the results of so many animals being dropped off at local shelters, or picked up as strays off of the street, it's heartbreaking the excuses people use. Most people who surrender an animal to a shelter think that their animal will be just fine and will find the perfect home. Just because you surrender your animal to a shelter doesn't guaranty that it will survive. I have seen first hand, animals who have been surrendered or picked up as strays who have been euthanized do to no fault of their own. Animals are frightened when they are taken to shelters. If handled by the wrong person, and the animal snaps or bites, it's usually sure to be euthanized. I've known dogs, who, if only were given the chance, were euthanized because they were thought to be "dangerous," when they were probably just too frightened and reacted on instinct. The staff at the animal shelters don't really know your animal. They don't know what frightens it. They don't know it's loving nature. They react on how the animal acts when it is there. In many shelters, the staff are overworked and are not as aware as they should be. With the amount of animals that come into the shelters it's hard to keep track of each one of them. Mistakes and accidents can happen that can result in your animal being euthanized do to no fault of it's own, but the fault of you, it's owner, or an animal shelter staff member who isn't aware enough or experienced enough to handle the animals properly or compassionately.

If your animal has "run away"- DO ALL YOU CAN TO TRY TO FIND YOUR LOST ANIMAL! Don't think it will find a new home. Animals who are on the streets alone, are frightened. A very high percentage of those animals who are running loose are hit by cars, poisoned, fall prey to other animals, or just starve to death. Don't think that it will be picked up and brought to the local animal shelter to be given a loving home. Most animals in shelters are adopted to loving homes, but too many wonderful animals are euthanized in area shelters. Make sure your animal has identification tags. Use a permanent marker and write the animal's name and phone number on it's collar if you can't afford tags or don't have tags. Most of the lives lost in the shelters could have been helped if they had the proper identification and a phone number of someone to call to bring them home. Once your beloved companion is home, do what you have to do to make sure it is safe and protected.

Don't put off putting up that fence for your dog. It could mean the difference of life and death if it were to end up running loose in the streets. It is very irresponsible of anyone to think that by letting their dogs and cats run loose in the streets that it is ok to do. It's not ok! Supervise your pet's activities when outside. You are responsible for their lives. Train your dog to stay in it's own yard. If it doesn't stay in it's yard, put up a fence, use a tie out, or keep it inside with you and take plenty of walks. Dogs and cats can live very happily as inside pets. Dogs are pack animals who enjoy being with their "pack," which is you and your family. Don't just tie your dog up outside or kennel it and ignore it. Dogs are living, feeling creatures who are aware of what is going on around them. Put yourself in your dog's paws-would you like to spend empty hours tied to a chain or in a small kennel with nothing to do, wondering if your beloved owner will ever spend time with you?

53 of 115 3/19/2003 12:08 PM If you are considering surrendering an animal, please think your decision through completely. Remember that by doing this, it's heartbreaking, not just for yourself, but for your animal as well. There are always solutions to any problem from training, to patience and really thinking through all aspects of the situation. If you have to surrender an animal thinking, ok, it will be euthanized anyway, please make that trip to the veterinarian yourself. You owe at least, this much, to your animal. Don't place your animal in the position of being terrified before it is to be euthanized. Handle this yourself by making the trip to the veterinarian, it's only right for your animal to go with dignity knowing it's owner is there in it's last moments of life.

Please, do not drop off your animal in the country or along a roadside. Most all of the animals who are abandoned starve to death, are poisoned, fall prey to other animals, or are hit by cars. Would you do this to your own child? Think about it...

Do what you have to, to make sure your animal will be safe-don't depend on "fate" to step in and help. Our animals depend on us for their lives. Let's not let them down!

If you are considering sharing your life with an animal, but don't think you can take care of it or afford it properly, then wait until you can. Animals are a huge responsibility and can be costly when you consider not only food, but grooming and proper veterinary care as well. Think long and hard before making this decision. Are you Really ready to be responsible for this life you are wanting to bring home?

54 of 115 3/19/2003 12:08 PM If you can, please support your local animal shelter. Volunteers are greatly needed in shelters all over the World. Those of us who care are the only ones the animals in the shelters can depend upon. If you are considering bringing that special animal into your lives, please adopt someone who is in need of a loving home from an animal shelter. Please don't support the "puppy and kitten mills." By doing so, your are just adding to the problems and taking away a chance for life for one who is in need. You never know just how much love and joy that special animal can bring to your life until you open your hearts to one in need... Please consider adopting an animal from your local shelter. You just may be the one who can save a life. Once you have opened you heart to one who is in need, please don't give up, that animal needs you, who knows, you may be the one who steps in between life and death for that special one...

Celebrate your life and share it with a needy animal, the rewards are endless...

Wishing You All the Best!

Warm Fuzzies,
Laurie Cecil