It's A Nevada Week for the Animals
It's A Nevada Week for the Animals Inaugural Nevada Week for the Animals
by Olga Dvornikova, Best Friends Animal Society
April 8, 2008
Article: http://network.bestfriends.org/groups/nvweek/news/archive/2008/04/08/its-a-nevada-week-for-the-animals.aspx
A Proclamation and events honoring the companion animals, April 5 - 13
Gregory Castle, one of the founders of Best Friends Animal Society said “It’s wonderful that the people of Nevada have an opportunity to celebrate the animals and the part animals play in their lives during Nevada Week for the Animals. It’s a great way to recognize the importance of animals to us all.”
It’s A Proclamation!
The Governor of Nevada, Jim Gibbons, has issued a Proclamation calling the week of April 5 – 13, 2008 as Nevada’s Week for the Animals. Alongside statewide activities both Reno and Las Vegas areas have planned major activities for animal lovers to encourage adoption, spread the word about animal organizations, and offer a way to celebrate the lives of their animal friends.
To check out the Proclamation in full, please go the resource tab of this community.
The Nevada Week for the Animals 2008 is sponsored by Best Friends and features the Reno-Sparks Super Adoption in Reno and Pet-a-Palooza in Las Vegas.
It’s Reno
The Super Adoption will take place at the Livestock Events Center, Reno and will feature our own Gregory Castle speaking about the treasure of animals in our lives alongside 200 dogs, cats, and ferrets, that will be up for adoption!
Over 30 rescue groups and shelters from the Reno area will be there, including Boxers and Buddies, Nevada Humane Society, Palomino Valley Pet Rescue, and CockadoodleMoo Farm Animal Society, just to name a few. Many others will be on site with animals and sharing pertinent information about their services. (1)*
If you are considering adopting a new furry friend to help you decide
One of the important goals of the event is to find homes for at least 100 of the pets. “If you are looking for a new animal to become a part of your family, you couldn’t do better than adopt one here,” added Castle.
The festivities will feature music by R & J Express, Rattle Snake Mountain and The Girl Band, as well as magic acts for the little ones by Marty Brenner. Animal parades, raffles and animal photography will showcase the beauty of the animals and sure to bring a smile from many visitors!
Additionally, low-cost microchipping and vaccinations for dogs and cats will be available through-out this exciting day from Dr. Renee Bufkin, DVM, of Vet-to-Pet Mobil Veterinary Services, brought to the event by SPCA of Northern Nevada.
Viva Las Vegas!
If you are in the Las Vegas area, however, then the Ninth Annual Pet-a-Palooza, at Star Nursery Fields, will be a must visit! This pet festival is the largest one of its kind in Nevada, is produced by Mix 94.1 Radio and presented by Wells Fargo. It is expected to draw over 20,000 people and 4,000 animals, as well as 40 rescue groups and non-profits, such as Bullie Buddies of Las Vegas, Greyhound Pets of America/Southern Nevada, Las Vegas Hot-Diggity Dachshund Club, Las Vegas Humane Society, and Sin City Saint Rescue among many dozens of other groundbreaking organizations.
Join in the Fun
Definitely join in one of these exciting events, spread the word to all your friends, this is going to a day of family fun for everyone!
Super Adoption, Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m – 4 p.m., at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center Exhibit Hall, 1350 N. Wells Ave. (off Exit 14 on 1-80). Admission and parking are free. For general information, call 775-324-7773. For information about how you can participate, sponsor, or volunteer for this event, please call 775-265-9455.
Pet-a-Palooza, Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Star Nursery Fields at Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas.
by Olga Dvornikova, Best Friends Animal Society
April 8, 2008
Article: http://network.bestfriends.org/groups/nvweek/news/archive/2008/04/08/its-a-nevada-week-for-the-animals.aspx
A Proclamation and events honoring the companion animals, April 5 - 13
Gregory Castle, one of the founders of Best Friends Animal Society said “It’s wonderful that the people of Nevada have an opportunity to celebrate the animals and the part animals play in their lives during Nevada Week for the Animals. It’s a great way to recognize the importance of animals to us all.”
It’s A Proclamation!
The Governor of Nevada, Jim Gibbons, has issued a Proclamation calling the week of April 5 – 13, 2008 as Nevada’s Week for the Animals. Alongside statewide activities both Reno and Las Vegas areas have planned major activities for animal lovers to encourage adoption, spread the word about animal organizations, and offer a way to celebrate the lives of their animal friends.
To check out the Proclamation in full, please go the resource tab of this community.
The Nevada Week for the Animals 2008 is sponsored by Best Friends and features the Reno-Sparks Super Adoption in Reno and Pet-a-Palooza in Las Vegas.
It’s Reno
The Super Adoption will take place at the Livestock Events Center, Reno and will feature our own Gregory Castle speaking about the treasure of animals in our lives alongside 200 dogs, cats, and ferrets, that will be up for adoption!
Over 30 rescue groups and shelters from the Reno area will be there, including Boxers and Buddies, Nevada Humane Society, Palomino Valley Pet Rescue, and CockadoodleMoo Farm Animal Society, just to name a few. Many others will be on site with animals and sharing pertinent information about their services. (1)*
If you are considering adopting a new furry friend to help you decide
One of the important goals of the event is to find homes for at least 100 of the pets. “If you are looking for a new animal to become a part of your family, you couldn’t do better than adopt one here,” added Castle.
The festivities will feature music by R & J Express, Rattle Snake Mountain and The Girl Band, as well as magic acts for the little ones by Marty Brenner. Animal parades, raffles and animal photography will showcase the beauty of the animals and sure to bring a smile from many visitors!
Additionally, low-cost microchipping and vaccinations for dogs and cats will be available through-out this exciting day from Dr. Renee Bufkin, DVM, of Vet-to-Pet Mobil Veterinary Services, brought to the event by SPCA of Northern Nevada.
Viva Las Vegas!
If you are in the Las Vegas area, however, then the Ninth Annual Pet-a-Palooza, at Star Nursery Fields, will be a must visit! This pet festival is the largest one of its kind in Nevada, is produced by Mix 94.1 Radio and presented by Wells Fargo. It is expected to draw over 20,000 people and 4,000 animals, as well as 40 rescue groups and non-profits, such as Bullie Buddies of Las Vegas, Greyhound Pets of America/Southern Nevada, Las Vegas Hot-Diggity Dachshund Club, Las Vegas Humane Society, and Sin City Saint Rescue among many dozens of other groundbreaking organizations.
Join in the Fun
Definitely join in one of these exciting events, spread the word to all your friends, this is going to a day of family fun for everyone!
Super Adoption, Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m – 4 p.m., at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center Exhibit Hall, 1350 N. Wells Ave. (off Exit 14 on 1-80). Admission and parking are free. For general information, call 775-324-7773. For information about how you can participate, sponsor, or volunteer for this event, please call 775-265-9455.
Pet-a-Palooza, Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Star Nursery Fields at Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas.
(1) *Adoption Info Update: For those who are interested in adopting a new pet, please visit Ultimate Guide to Pet Adoption that has excellent resources to prepare potential owners for pet adoption.
John Muir Turns 270!
Life and Legacy of America’s Beloved Environmental Leader
by Olga Dvornikova, 2008
On April 21st, United States celebrates the birthday of a renowned naturalist, John Muir. Without his love of nature, and the paths he forged to preserve wildlife, America would not have such a notable conservation policy.
John Muir did not have an affluent childhood. He was born in Dunbar, Scotland in 1838. At the age of eleven, Muir moved to Portage, Wisconsin. His strict father did not allow much leisure. Muir spent his days working on the farm, and only during dawn hours he had time to read and invent. With his father’s permission, Muir and his siblings explored the forests of the Wisconsin frontier. However, Muir felt trapped by his monotonous farm life, and dedicated himself to studying vigorously, so that he could leave the farm. He spent many years learning algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. When he had time, he would work on his inventions. One year, Muir’s friend introduced him to the Wisconsin State Agricultural Fair. He attended with his homemade inventions and surprised everyone by earning high honors for his machines. This success helped Muir to secure matriculation to University of Wisconsin, where he majored in science and medicine.
After three years of studies, Muir escaped the Civil war draft and moved to Canada to work as a mechanic. After the factory burned down, he again moved to Indianapolis, Wisconsin. He experienced temporary blindness in 1867. Upon recovery, John realized the importance and beauty of nature. Accordingly, he walked from Wisconsin to the Gulf of Mexico, and then sailed to the Caribbean and West Coast of North America. He landed in San Francisco in 1868. There, Muir walked across San Joaquin Valley to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Instantly, John Muir fell in love.
Upon returning home, Muir married Louisa Wanda Strentzel and had two daughters: Wanda and Helen. Together, they ran a family fruit business. Periodically, Muir would return to his much-loved Sierra Mountains to write about the importance of preservation. He felt that all life forms had innate significance and rights to exist. Muir deemed nature as “fragile” and people as “destructors.” He believed that humans exaggerated their own importance and belittled the existence and beauty of wildlife.
The key to admiring nature, Muir claimed, was to preserve it. Look, but not touch.
He wrote “Studies in the Sierra,” a series of articles describing and acclaiming the mountains.In 1892, John Muir established the Sierra Club. He said it was,
“Something to make the mountains glad.”
The club’s current goals still mimic the hopes of Muir: to enjoy and protect wildlife, practice and promote responsible use of earth’s systems, and spread awareness to improve the interaction between humanity and nature.
Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir Legacy
During his life, Muir published 300 articles and 10 major books. President Teddy Roosevelt, due to Muir’s influence, set aside 148 million acres of forests, 20 regions of protected wildlife, 16 national monuments, and 5 new national parks. It is because of Muir’s contributions that we have the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, Mount Rainier National Park, the Petrified Forests, and the Grand Canyon.
Despite his rebirth into the arms of nature, sadly, John Muir’s life diminished because of his love for wildlife. He had many battles with the government to improve America’s conservation policy, but the one for the Hetch Valley of Yellowstone was by far the most dramatic. Congress wanted to dam the Tuolumne River and flood the Hetch Valley to feed drinking water into San Francisco. Muir and the Sierra Club recognized this as a mistake and tried desperately to prevent the dam’s construction. Unfortunately, Congress passed the Raker Bill in 1913, which secured the right to dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley. After this defeat, Muir’s health began to deteriorate. He died shortly after at the age of 76, on Christmas Eve, 1914, in Los Angeles, California.
In 1983, The John Muir Trust was established. This international, philanthropic organization lends a hand to wildlife in need. The goal of John Muir Trust is to preserve wild lands against devastation and promote awareness of wildlife renewal. They own over 20,000 hectares of wild land in Scotland, and have partnerships with additional 50,000 hectares in other locations. The agency is closely tied to the Sierra Club: both stemmed from John Muir, and both share equivalent aspirations.
John Muir has left us with a compelling message and legacy. Through his actions and writings, it can be concluded that humanity should admire and preserve nature. We are neither in charge of nor dictators of wildlife; we are equal. Nature is beautiful. Within rest layers of unique characteristics that cannot be seen by a cursory glance. Through patience and deep connection with the environment people can truly comprehend its majestic stature. If humanity works to preserve the environment, our world can grow serene and invincible. If people disconnect themselves from nature, destruction spreads. [i]Muir on horseback.[/i]
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul. – John Muir
THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. Celebrate
Celebrate John Muir’s birthday and Earth Day in Martinez, California. http://www.johnmuirearthday.com/
2. Participate
Join the Sierra Club to continue Muir’s legacy. http://www.sierraclub.org/
Continue John’s Muir’s caring spirit through [url=http://www.ser.org/]Society for Ecological Restoration International[/url]
3. Donate
Fund ecological causes, such as Trees Foundation. http://www.treesfoundation.org/get-involved.shtml]
For more information:
by Olga Dvornikova, 2008
On April 21st, United States celebrates the birthday of a renowned naturalist, John Muir. Without his love of nature, and the paths he forged to preserve wildlife, America would not have such a notable conservation policy.
John Muir did not have an affluent childhood. He was born in Dunbar, Scotland in 1838. At the age of eleven, Muir moved to Portage, Wisconsin. His strict father did not allow much leisure. Muir spent his days working on the farm, and only during dawn hours he had time to read and invent. With his father’s permission, Muir and his siblings explored the forests of the Wisconsin frontier. However, Muir felt trapped by his monotonous farm life, and dedicated himself to studying vigorously, so that he could leave the farm. He spent many years learning algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. When he had time, he would work on his inventions. One year, Muir’s friend introduced him to the Wisconsin State Agricultural Fair. He attended with his homemade inventions and surprised everyone by earning high honors for his machines. This success helped Muir to secure matriculation to University of Wisconsin, where he majored in science and medicine.
After three years of studies, Muir escaped the Civil war draft and moved to Canada to work as a mechanic. After the factory burned down, he again moved to Indianapolis, Wisconsin. He experienced temporary blindness in 1867. Upon recovery, John realized the importance and beauty of nature. Accordingly, he walked from Wisconsin to the Gulf of Mexico, and then sailed to the Caribbean and West Coast of North America. He landed in San Francisco in 1868. There, Muir walked across San Joaquin Valley to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Instantly, John Muir fell in love.
Upon returning home, Muir married Louisa Wanda Strentzel and had two daughters: Wanda and Helen. Together, they ran a family fruit business. Periodically, Muir would return to his much-loved Sierra Mountains to write about the importance of preservation. He felt that all life forms had innate significance and rights to exist. Muir deemed nature as “fragile” and people as “destructors.” He believed that humans exaggerated their own importance and belittled the existence and beauty of wildlife.
The key to admiring nature, Muir claimed, was to preserve it. Look, but not touch.
He wrote “Studies in the Sierra,” a series of articles describing and acclaiming the mountains.In 1892, John Muir established the Sierra Club. He said it was,
“Something to make the mountains glad.”
The club’s current goals still mimic the hopes of Muir: to enjoy and protect wildlife, practice and promote responsible use of earth’s systems, and spread awareness to improve the interaction between humanity and nature.
Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir Legacy
During his life, Muir published 300 articles and 10 major books. President Teddy Roosevelt, due to Muir’s influence, set aside 148 million acres of forests, 20 regions of protected wildlife, 16 national monuments, and 5 new national parks. It is because of Muir’s contributions that we have the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, Mount Rainier National Park, the Petrified Forests, and the Grand Canyon.
Despite his rebirth into the arms of nature, sadly, John Muir’s life diminished because of his love for wildlife. He had many battles with the government to improve America’s conservation policy, but the one for the Hetch Valley of Yellowstone was by far the most dramatic. Congress wanted to dam the Tuolumne River and flood the Hetch Valley to feed drinking water into San Francisco. Muir and the Sierra Club recognized this as a mistake and tried desperately to prevent the dam’s construction. Unfortunately, Congress passed the Raker Bill in 1913, which secured the right to dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley. After this defeat, Muir’s health began to deteriorate. He died shortly after at the age of 76, on Christmas Eve, 1914, in Los Angeles, California.
In 1983, The John Muir Trust was established. This international, philanthropic organization lends a hand to wildlife in need. The goal of John Muir Trust is to preserve wild lands against devastation and promote awareness of wildlife renewal. They own over 20,000 hectares of wild land in Scotland, and have partnerships with additional 50,000 hectares in other locations. The agency is closely tied to the Sierra Club: both stemmed from John Muir, and both share equivalent aspirations.
John Muir has left us with a compelling message and legacy. Through his actions and writings, it can be concluded that humanity should admire and preserve nature. We are neither in charge of nor dictators of wildlife; we are equal. Nature is beautiful. Within rest layers of unique characteristics that cannot be seen by a cursory glance. Through patience and deep connection with the environment people can truly comprehend its majestic stature. If humanity works to preserve the environment, our world can grow serene and invincible. If people disconnect themselves from nature, destruction spreads. [i]Muir on horseback.[/i]
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul. – John Muir
THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. Celebrate
Celebrate John Muir’s birthday and Earth Day in Martinez, California. http://www.johnmuirearthday.com/
2. Participate
Join the Sierra Club to continue Muir’s legacy. http://www.sierraclub.org/
Continue John’s Muir’s caring spirit through [url=http://www.ser.org/]Society for Ecological Restoration International[/url]
3. Donate
Fund ecological causes, such as Trees Foundation. http://www.treesfoundation.org/get-involved.shtml]
For more information:
- John Muir Online Library - http://www.yosemite.ca.us/john_muir_writings/
- National Park Service - http://www.nps.gov/jomu/ National
- Join Friends at Best Friends Society - http://network.bestfriends.org/wildlife/news/Wild
- International Friends - http://network.bestfriends.org/international/news/
God's Unwanted Angels
April 15, 2008, originally published in Best-Friends Network
Article can be found online here: http://network.bestfriends.org/News.aspx?pID=6610
By Olga Dvornikova
Anne Nason’s labor of love about homeless cats
Anne Nason of Odessa, Texas has written a book, God’s Unwanted Angels, to increase the public’s awareness of humane programs that are designed to decrease the numbers of homeless cats in towns across the nation. The book includes Nason’s first-person account of the overpopulation of ferals in Houston and Odessa, Texas, including her own heartfelt story of how nine homeless cats arrived at her home. Additionally, her book reveals some disturbing facts, such as 69% of the 500,000 adoptable animals who enter Texas shelters annually are euthanized. To reduce that number, her long-term goal is to publicize the use of compassionate population control methods and to spread the notion of humane education nationwide.
Some of the chapters of her book discuss issues such as “Too many cats,” “Cruelty Cases,” “My Experience with a Hoarder,” “Irresponsible Breeders,” “People Who Make a Difference,” and “Humane Education.” Additional resources, including nationwide lists of shelters and a listing of public and private TNR (trap, neuter, release) programs, are provided in the book, which is a useful starting point for anyone who wishes to begin a local program.
How She Became Involved
Nason first became aware of the seriousness of the feline overpopulation problem while living in Houston. She had been a dog guardian, but once there she was overwhelmed by the number of cats inhabiting the streets. When she moved to Odessa, several kittens found a way to her home and she became involved in the cause to increase awareness of homeless animals and also to help save felines perishing in shelters.
All of Nason’s nine cats were stray or feral when they arrived to her yard in Odessa. It took her a very long time to socialize them, but she kept leaving food for the cats because she knew that otherwise they would perish. Both Callie and Simba were tiny kittens who were initially terrified of people. Shortly after arriving, Callie disappeared due to her fear of people. However, one very rainy day the little kitten reappeared on her porch. Nason brought her into the house, dried her off, fed her, and then took her to the vet. She had a very serious respiratory infection and he said if she had not received immediate medical attention, in all likelihood, Callie would have passed away within a couple of days. Now fully recovered, Callie is a daily reminder to Nason of why she must be a part of the solution. Nason feels very blessed that these cats have entered her life. They are a source of inspiration and motivatation and proof that humane solutions can be found.
Swamped shelters
Both Houston and Odessa are overpopulated with feral cats, and even though Houston has many programs, such as SNAP, SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic Western Texas is not so lucky. Although, Odessa has one spay/neuter location at Angel Veterinary Clinic , few pet owners bother with fixing their pets. The issue seems to be not of cost, spaying costs only $75 and neutering costs $45, but of awareness about the importance of fixing pets. When they are left to breed, the result is often unwanted litters of kittens whose owners dump them on the side of the road or relinquish them to an animal control center that has a high euthanasia rate. Unfortunately, that is the outcome for many of the newborn kittens in this town.
One of the shelters she discusses,Odessa Police Animal Control, has a high feline euthanasia rate because the shelter is filled to the brim with homeless animals. “It is horrendous when an animal is taken to a shelter, and most people have a stigma that the shelter animals are there because they are damaged in some way,” noted Nason. “However, that’s not the case many animals are in shelters because they are simply given up for some reason. The animals don’t have much time when they are there.” Her book aims to debunk myths about the “undesirable” shelter cats and increase adoption rates.
Another rescue in Odessa, PAWS Cat Rescue Haven House, does not euthanize any of the cats who are regularly dropped off. Shelter Founder Vicki Lee would love to help all felines and offers resources to aid pet guardians in placing their extra cats for adoption. However, dropping off animals on the side of the road or abandoning cats in front of the shelter are against the law and potentially deadly. Instead, Lee urges guardians to take more responsible steps, such as running an advertisement in the paper to re-homing their kittens. In order to help more cats, PAWS needs to expand their facility and add more staff. Nason wants to help, and all the proceeds of God’s Unwanted Angels will fund such projects at PAWS. Furthermore, her larger plan includes various shelters, sanctuaries, and feral cat groups across the nation.
Teaching aid
Nason currently networks with rescues and shelters nationwide, all working toward the same goal, to end pet homelessness. She believes that humane education is essential, especially with children. “Writing this book was largely to spread humane education and resources,” noted Nason. “I think that humane education should be part of the curriculum in schools, because if they learn compassion for animals at a young age, they're more likely to be responsible pet owners as adults.” Her book offers numerous online links and lists organizations that teachers and parents can contact for educational materials which can be used to teach children about caring for and respecting animals.
THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. Donate
All the proceeds from the sales of God’s Unwanted Angels go toward PAWS Cat Rescue Haven House and other feral cat rescue agencies. For more information, go to Nason’s MySpace site.
2. Volunteer
The PAWS Cat Rescue Haven House is in desperate need of volunteers. If you are in the Odessa, Texas area, please consider volunteering to help clean the facilty and socialize cats at this lifesaving shelter.
3. Adopt
There are many loving cats available for adoption in the Odessa area:
4. Spay/Neuter
Make sure that your pets are spayed/neutered. Start your own spay/neuter location.
For more information:
• You and Your Cat Resources
• Feral Cats Resources
• Caring for Feral Cats
• Best Friends Feral Cat Program
• Texas Best Friends Network
Written by Olga Dvornikova, Best Friends Network
© Olga Dvornikova
Article can be found online here: http://network.bestfriends.org/News.aspx?pID=6610
By Olga Dvornikova
Anne Nason’s labor of love about homeless cats
Anne Nason of Odessa, Texas has written a book, God’s Unwanted Angels, to increase the public’s awareness of humane programs that are designed to decrease the numbers of homeless cats in towns across the nation. The book includes Nason’s first-person account of the overpopulation of ferals in Houston and Odessa, Texas, including her own heartfelt story of how nine homeless cats arrived at her home. Additionally, her book reveals some disturbing facts, such as 69% of the 500,000 adoptable animals who enter Texas shelters annually are euthanized. To reduce that number, her long-term goal is to publicize the use of compassionate population control methods and to spread the notion of humane education nationwide.
Some of the chapters of her book discuss issues such as “Too many cats,” “Cruelty Cases,” “My Experience with a Hoarder,” “Irresponsible Breeders,” “People Who Make a Difference,” and “Humane Education.” Additional resources, including nationwide lists of shelters and a listing of public and private TNR (trap, neuter, release) programs, are provided in the book, which is a useful starting point for anyone who wishes to begin a local program.
How She Became Involved
Nason first became aware of the seriousness of the feline overpopulation problem while living in Houston. She had been a dog guardian, but once there she was overwhelmed by the number of cats inhabiting the streets. When she moved to Odessa, several kittens found a way to her home and she became involved in the cause to increase awareness of homeless animals and also to help save felines perishing in shelters.
All of Nason’s nine cats were stray or feral when they arrived to her yard in Odessa. It took her a very long time to socialize them, but she kept leaving food for the cats because she knew that otherwise they would perish. Both Callie and Simba were tiny kittens who were initially terrified of people. Shortly after arriving, Callie disappeared due to her fear of people. However, one very rainy day the little kitten reappeared on her porch. Nason brought her into the house, dried her off, fed her, and then took her to the vet. She had a very serious respiratory infection and he said if she had not received immediate medical attention, in all likelihood, Callie would have passed away within a couple of days. Now fully recovered, Callie is a daily reminder to Nason of why she must be a part of the solution. Nason feels very blessed that these cats have entered her life. They are a source of inspiration and motivatation and proof that humane solutions can be found.
Swamped shelters
Both Houston and Odessa are overpopulated with feral cats, and even though Houston has many programs, such as SNAP, SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic Western Texas is not so lucky. Although, Odessa has one spay/neuter location at Angel Veterinary Clinic , few pet owners bother with fixing their pets. The issue seems to be not of cost, spaying costs only $75 and neutering costs $45, but of awareness about the importance of fixing pets. When they are left to breed, the result is often unwanted litters of kittens whose owners dump them on the side of the road or relinquish them to an animal control center that has a high euthanasia rate. Unfortunately, that is the outcome for many of the newborn kittens in this town.
One of the shelters she discusses,Odessa Police Animal Control, has a high feline euthanasia rate because the shelter is filled to the brim with homeless animals. “It is horrendous when an animal is taken to a shelter, and most people have a stigma that the shelter animals are there because they are damaged in some way,” noted Nason. “However, that’s not the case many animals are in shelters because they are simply given up for some reason. The animals don’t have much time when they are there.” Her book aims to debunk myths about the “undesirable” shelter cats and increase adoption rates.
Another rescue in Odessa, PAWS Cat Rescue Haven House, does not euthanize any of the cats who are regularly dropped off. Shelter Founder Vicki Lee would love to help all felines and offers resources to aid pet guardians in placing their extra cats for adoption. However, dropping off animals on the side of the road or abandoning cats in front of the shelter are against the law and potentially deadly. Instead, Lee urges guardians to take more responsible steps, such as running an advertisement in the paper to re-homing their kittens. In order to help more cats, PAWS needs to expand their facility and add more staff. Nason wants to help, and all the proceeds of God’s Unwanted Angels will fund such projects at PAWS. Furthermore, her larger plan includes various shelters, sanctuaries, and feral cat groups across the nation.
Teaching aid
Nason currently networks with rescues and shelters nationwide, all working toward the same goal, to end pet homelessness. She believes that humane education is essential, especially with children. “Writing this book was largely to spread humane education and resources,” noted Nason. “I think that humane education should be part of the curriculum in schools, because if they learn compassion for animals at a young age, they're more likely to be responsible pet owners as adults.” Her book offers numerous online links and lists organizations that teachers and parents can contact for educational materials which can be used to teach children about caring for and respecting animals.
THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. Donate
All the proceeds from the sales of God’s Unwanted Angels go toward PAWS Cat Rescue Haven House and other feral cat rescue agencies. For more information, go to Nason’s MySpace site.
2. Volunteer
The PAWS Cat Rescue Haven House is in desperate need of volunteers. If you are in the Odessa, Texas area, please consider volunteering to help clean the facilty and socialize cats at this lifesaving shelter.
3. Adopt
There are many loving cats available for adoption in the Odessa area:
- PAWS Cat Rescue Haven House, PO Box 13566, Odessa, Texas 79768, Phone: 432-366-1030, E-mail: odessacatpaws@yahoo.com, PAWS adoptable cats
- Odessa Police Animal Control, 910 W. 42ndOdessa, Texas 79763, Phone: 432-368-3526
4. Spay/Neuter
Make sure that your pets are spayed/neutered. Start your own spay/neuter location.
For more information:
• You and Your Cat Resources
• Feral Cats Resources
• Caring for Feral Cats
• Best Friends Feral Cat Program
• Texas Best Friends Network
Written by Olga Dvornikova, Best Friends Network
© Olga Dvornikova
