Giving

Ollie, pure bred Staffordshire Terrier, available through Mutts N Stuff. (314) 306-6888

This is the time of year when giving is encouraged not only in the spirit of the season but by many accountants. From the accounting aspect, this is not a harsh consideration but a very realistic one. We all scramble to find ways to offset the pending tax season.

It is impossible to turn on the television without seeing the push for annual giving to national organizations who profess to have the best interests of the animals in their “hearts”. They use photos and videos of the most neglected and abused animals and have celebrities speaking for their cause. For the empaths, it is almost impossible not to have an emotional reaction. We are naturally drawn to doing all we can to insure as many animals as possible know love and care.

The problem with the national groups pushing for monthly giving is the fact that their mission is not so much about the animals as it is maintaining their financial status.

Stop and consider for a moment the cost for producing a video for a national advertising campaign running in prime time in all major news outlets. Then what it costs to have a celebrity provide voice over or songs to add to the impact of those commercials plus the “free” stuff you will receive for giving your monthly donation. Do you think that is all donated and “free” for these agencies? Think again….

When was the last time you saw the logo of one of these agencies when there was no national press coverage? We do have a branch of the ASPCA supporting our extreme southeastern region of Missouri. I will give credit where credit is due because you probably were unaware this group is even active. I do hold them in high esteem but I also wonder how many other branches are as dedicated as this one? Are they the norm or are they the exception to the rule?

Then take your consideration a giant step forward and consider those exploiting the term “humane” to insure the uneducated, unaware armchair hearts are lulled into a sense of doing something for the animals while blindly giving their support to a group who shares approximately 1% of the funds they take in with only the shelters who have sold out the animals in favor of promoting an agenda.

For the fanciers of the American Pit Bull Terrier we have long known what the lion’s share of those funds are used to promote. We should since the breed we fight to save is being pushed into extinction by these very groups. You see the biggest of them is responsible for creating the media night mare we have been fighting since the mid 1980’s. They created the monster we call BSL but they also created the new age of dog fighters, rescuers with stars in their eyes and fools who think these dogs are a fashion accessory.

Consider how much of the money so freely sent to these groups go, not only to produce high end advertising but also to insure the six figure salaries of those profiting from the corpses of the dogs being destroyed by their lies. I call that blood money.

Now stop to consider how you could make a difference in the lives of animals in need. In this area alone we have Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary struggling to rise above their rocky past, Mac’s Mission providing medical care to the neediest cases, Caruthersville Humane Society fighting an ever-declining economic environment in our boot heel area and the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri whose doors are open to all.

Step out of our area just a short distance and we have Mutts N Stuff not only fighting for the animals of the St. Louis metro area but sharing their generosity with our groups struggling to keep the lights burning. Or Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue in Memphis facing some of the harshest abuse cases emerging from the very sheltering system who should have been part of the solution, not the problem itself. What if everyone who is reading this entry right now pledged to give that $18.00 a month to one of the shelters or rescues doing the work for the animals, right on the front lines of the battle, instead of lining the pockets of those who profit on the exploitation of the suffering?

Money is tight for all of us. You cannot be involved in the legitimate saving of animals and realistically expect to get rich. Even if you cannot pledge to give the $18.00 a month to a group dedicated to the animals, consider giving your time. There is always work to be done and extra hands are always welcomed. Paid employees are a luxury to a shelter or rescue. The work is not glamorous but you will find it is fulfilling.

Never underestimate what even a roll of paper towels, bottle of bleach or those old newspapers can mean to a facility operating on next to nothing. Those old blankets, sheets and towels too good to throw away but not quite good enough to continue to use can be a life saver for animals who have never had anything soft to snuggle up in.

Fostering is one of the most difficult aspects of sheltering and rescues. It is also one of the most important. For every single animal, you bring into your home temporarily, you save another animal by insuring there is room. Yes, even I admit to crying with every foster sent out into the world but there is nothing more gratifying than seeing the updates and pure joy of both animal and family who got the chance for this love because you opened your home and your heart.

The point of this entry is there are numerous ways to do your part in the saving of animals. Their lives can be made better without a celebrity tugging at your heart strings or sad pictures to exploit your emotions. Make a difference, put your support where you can see it and know without a doubt it has gone to the animals. You have helped improve lives which could have easily been lost by pledging to keep your support local.

God bless all those who support those who support us!