All Dogs Go To Heaven, Some Too Soon
Katye Gilliland
October 7, 2009
Filed under Features, News
We’ve all seen the sad faces of the kittens and puppies behind the bars of a shelter cage, with the sappy music of Sarah McLachlan in the background. The tears run down my face as I watch sometimes, and I have to turn the channel. The commercial is encouraging viewers to save animals from kill shelters and supporting the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals); even though it pulls at our heart strings, most of us sit back and do nothing to change it.
Animals are helpless in this world and rely on humans to care for them. They do not choose to be abandoned, do not choose to starve, do not choose to be beaten and neglected, but they also have no way to save themselves. Animals do not have the ability to speak out against the violence that they endure and cannot shout out for help. Because they can’t speak up for themselves, people who love and care for animals take the liberty to search out help.
Animal activist groups such as PETA, (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have been formed to educate the public about animal cruelty and rights and strive to protect those who can’t do for themselves. It’s the largest animal rights organization in the world and mainly focuses on animals in the clothing industry. They organize research groups, special events, protest campaigns, and cruelty investigations.
Organizations like this do their best to educate the world and encourage people to save these helpless creatures, but it’s not enough. Animals need your help.
1.Spay and Neuter
If you already own a household pet, help out other animals by spaying or neutering your pet. Spaying and neutering reduces the number of stray animals on the streets. When there aren’t as many strays, the shelters have more room; this allows them to care for animals longer, increasing the chances of adoption.
2.Adopt
If you’re in the market for a new loved family pet, visit shelters first. Animal shelters can be found all over the United States, so no matter where you live, there will be one close by. Shelters often house many kinds of animals, from domestic dogs and cats to pigs and even ostriches. Places like the SPCA have horses and other non-domestic animals. Most shelters also have low fees for adoption; one for the actual adoption, one for shots and vaccinations, and one for spay or neutering. It’s been said that shelter dogs are the best kind; they’re loyal and grateful to have a good home. If you’re set on having a pure-bred dog, adopt from a save-a-greyhound foundation. These foundations are available for the adoption of track-retired racing Greyhounds. These dogs are great pets, but are often abused or put down after they are retired from the racetrack; most under the age of seven. Adoption is also a good option for people who want an older, already trained dog. Most dogs waiting to be adopted are older, well-trained, mistreated animals just waiting to be loved.
3.Give to an Organization
Another great way to save the animals is to financially contribute to the numerous organizations available to help them. The SPCA offers the chance for a person to donate anywhere from $10-$500 dollars, and the money goes to feeding, housing, medicating, and finding homes for abandoned, abused, and neglected animals. Local shelters also accept donations (monetary or in the form of animal food or other supplies needed).
4. Volunteer
The most hands-on way to help besides adopting a pet is to volunteer at a shelter. Animal shelters often do not have the funds to pay full-time workers on a pay roll; they operate on volunteer workers. Volunteers do a wide variety of things such as walking dogs, feeding animals, bathing them, playing with them, cleaning cages, and other various tasks. To volunteer, contact a local shelter.
Yeh. like on the real. i joined that Peta thing some months ago, after staring at the animal abuse videos on YouTube.com for 3 hours straight. after listening ta Rascal Flatts- “What Hurts the Most” in the background of the saddest video i have ever seen, i had ta join Peta. My Family tends ta OVER ADOPT pets, but they all become part of the family really quick…. Touching Piece Katye. I think everyone should join Peta. Donate Money, & Help Protect these animals. If it was a baby slpwly dying in the pics above;; everyone would be ready ta jump in and help. Animal’s are just as precious as children, yet their needs seem ta get forgotten….!
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Thanks for the comment. I hate how animals are treated like they’re worthless. It’s sad. They just want love.
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Now I’m all about saving the animals and preventing their abuse. I adopted all of my dogs from the pound. But Peta is awful! They spend most of their donations on advertisements and they take in so many animals that they end up killing more than they save. :[
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHINiLu2IAc
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i think that all animals shud live forever
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