Best Friends Research Paper

“Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats” (Pet Statistics). Many animals are rescued and taken to shelters all around the United States. These shelters provide all the resources and take care of the animals until they are well or adopted. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, is a non-profitable organization that is dedicated to preventing animal cruelty. You should donate money to the ASPCA or even adopt a pet if able to because it provides money to the animals to give them the necessities they need, it supports the animals that have been poorly treated, and it helps get animals out of poor

Have you ever seen the ASPCA commercials where they show pictures of abused and neglected animals while the Sarah McLachlan song “In the Arms of an Angel” plays in the background? It is heart wrenching to watch and I always want to help those poor, defenseless animals. I took this opportunity to volunteer at the Town and Country Animal Shelter; a non-profit, no-kill shelter run entirely by volunteers serving eastern Nebraska and beyond. They are dedicated to providing a safe and caring living facility for pets in need until a loving home can be found, as well as helpful information for those wishing to rehome or adopt an animal. I chose this organization because they are a no kill shelter and they take in animals of all different sorts.

Since being involved in a dog rescue organization, I’ve learned a lot about how an animal control shelter works. They are not just people who will take your dog if they get out of the yard. They are animal lovers who try their best to educate the community pet population control and help homeless pets find a new home. I sat down with a friend of mine who I met through the animal rescue group with both volunteer with to find out more about a day in the life of a shelter worker.

In the United States, about 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters every year. The overpopulation of these animals and the fact that they have no homes leads to about 40% of them being euthanized (ASPCA). This is a global issue, but the root of it can be found within the local community at The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley.

Hello everyone, my name is Katrina Clark. So, imagine one day you were ripped away from your family and from your home with nowhere to go, in the street, cold, starving, and have absolutely no idea where your next meal is going to come from. Well, for over 7 million animals each year that is the sad reality. I personally own around ten cats that were either from a shelter or on the street starving. I also own two dogs that I have found on the road that had been dumped and left to die. My experience with adopting these animals has truly opened my eyes to how many animals are truly in need of homes. All of these animals are sweet blessings that I wouldn’t trade for the world. If I can find loving furry friends that I love, then so can you. With

    Thirty years ago, Best Friend Animal Sanctuary was founded when a group of people had a vision to create a sanctuary for abandoned and abused animals. The main co-founders include: Francis Battista, Judah Battista, Silva Battista, Gregory Castle, Gabriel DePeyer, Jana DePeyer, Steven Hirano, Faith Maloney, Anne Mejia, and Cyrus Mejia.  With very little money and no master plan, they set out to create something very ambitious.  One of their major goals was to create a no-kill animal sanctuary, but unfortunately they didn’t have much of a voice until their sanctuary grew larger.  They didn’t want to become famous or wealthy, but do the right thing for creatures who could not speak or act for themselves.  To take the next step, in 1984, the founders made a promise to one another and the animals they cares for, that they would build a sanctuary in Southern Utah.  Their mission was to bring about a time when there are no more homeless pets.  They would dedicate their lives to housing and finding homes for unwanted pets while spreading

The facility has not had to euthanize a healthy dog due to lack of space for several years. Programs have been developed such as the “special needs fund,” which allows for expensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and adoption for many dogs who may not of had that opportunity in previous years. However, cats provide additional challenges due to overpopulation issues. Last year approximately 800 treatable-rehabilitable/manageable cats had to be euthanized. However, programs such as the trap/neuter/release program, foster care in private homes, PetSmart and veterinary clinic housing/adoptions, and free cat adoption incentives greatly reduced the overwhelming difficulties with housing/adopting cats (Nebraska Humane Society, 2014).

"We really want to get our dogs and cats exposed, because we are kind of out of the way and we are so small that people don't really know about us. Most of the time you hear about the Elmira shelters and not really Horseheads. Like Chris here, he's been here for a year and we keep them as long as we can until they get adopted," said Taylor Reese of the Horseheads Animal Shelter.

Central Idea: In order to control the overwhelming population of homeless pets, we need to stop throwing our “family friends” away.

From puppy counselor groups, to Lions, and even clients, mike has been blessed to meet so many amazing people. He stays in touch with a client who received one of his puppies. “She lives in Buffalo, NY and we stay in touch through Facebook and Instagram.” Says Mike,

During my time volunteering, I helped walk the dogs, play with them outside, socialize them, and occasionally clean up their room. One of my favorite socialization activities is called Running Buddies; certain dogs are able to leave the Paws building area with approved volunteers to expand their social experience as well as hopefully meet someone interested in adopting them. Volunteers also have the opportunity to learn how to train the dogs, help with Saturday Adoption events, assist in the administration offices, and many other tasks. All of these tasks help make sure the animals are living comfortably and aide in their adoption. Aside from the animals, the staff benefits from the time volunteers

The name of the community that I researched is Lost Our Homes Pet Foundation(LOH). It is located on 2323 South Hardy Drive in Tempe, Arizona. L.O.H. was founded in 2008 when the founder, Jodi Polanski, wanted to have a world in which all pets have loving homes and are treated with respect. Now, that is the vision and purpose of L.O.H.

They have ways for people to get involved with not only the shelter but also the animals in need of homes. By using adorable pictures of puppies and kittens they get people to pick up the handout. There are stories of how people’s volunteer work has helped them feel a part of the community. This helps people want to get involved and make a difference. Its communication technique is through pictures aided with stories. Doing this helps the reader realize that these experiences happen to real pets and people. The flyer informs the readers of how they can make an impact in these precious animals’ lives. Each story exemplifies how much these animals deserve love and proper treatment. The bulletin reaches people who know little about animals but want to learn and adopt an animal

The Norfolk SPCA is one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the United States and has been in the same location since the late 1940’s. The Norfolk SPCA shelters, treats, rehabilitates and rehomes dogs and cats from throughout Hampton Roads, with the goal being to find that animal a “forever home.” The mission of the Norfolk SPCA is to reduce the need for sheltering animals while still providing the best quality of care for the animals sheltered. The Norfolk SPCA wants to be involved in creating the type of community that helps save healthy animals and find them a good home. Most importantly, the Norfolk SPCA tries to help people in the community keep their animals instead of surrendering them ("about the norfolk spca" 2016).

The final solution for Bogalusa’s free-roaming animals is starting a community foster program. This is a fantastic method that can quickly remove dogs off the streets, and into a comfortable living arrangement, until a permanent home for them is found. Leslie Barrie, author of Want to Get Happier”,states, “Researchers have found a reduction in loneliness in pet-owning women living alone, while others have seen reduced loneliness in nursing home residents after animal-assisted activities” (Barrie,2015). It can then be said that if Bogalusa citizens helped foster animals in need, not only would they be helping their town, but may also feel less lonely in the process. Its always a good feeling helping someone in need, including animals. Numerous volunteers will be needed to make this foster program