Especially for animals who are suffering, for any that are hunted or lost, or deserted or frightened or hungry, for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all thy mercy and pity and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us ourselves to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful. -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer |
The staff at Rocky Gorge is a dedicated team who cares for the welfare of all animals. We would like to share some ideas of how you might get involved in making the world a better place for our animal friends everywhere. We would like to encourage you to make a difference today!
Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. Millions of healthy animals face early deaths as a form of animal control. If the animals are not picked up on the streets and gassed, they linger on the streets where they are hit by cars, become wounded in fights with other animals, and suffer abuse by uncaring people. Some kittens survive to breed and start colonies of free roaming cats, some starve or freeze to death. What can you do to stop the senseless suffering?
Spay and your neuter your pet!
Spread the word: Convince your co-workers, family members, neighbors to spay and neuter their pets. If money is an issue for them, offer to pay (if you can afford to) or offer to set up funding from applicable groups. Educate them on vaccinations and good pet ownership.
Volunteer your time: There is such a wide variety of skills needed for rescue groups and shelters to be successful. Opportunities exist in the areas of fund raising, answering phones, administrative work, computer skills, animal care (cleaning & socializing), adoption help, and even grounds maintenance.
Foster Homes: Most rescue groups and shelters don't have the necessary room and rely on people to open their homes and hearts to needy animals. Most rescue groups and shelters provide the food, litter, and medical care until these animals are placed in permanent homes. If you are looking to adopt a kitten, please consider taking in a mom cat and her kittens. Several groups have placement programs available and will show the kittens and the mom cat when the kittens reach 8 weeks of age. Shelters are always looking for homes for moms with litters.
Bottle feeding kittens: This is a very rewarding experience, and it can be very exhausting. These kittens count on you for everything, and they need lots of tender loving care around the clock. Contact a rescue organization, or your local shelter to obtain a litter. Most shelters do not have the facilities or manpower to bottle feed and usually kill kittens under 6 weeks that are not weaned.
Donate items: Most rescue groups have a wish list for much needed items such as cat and dog food, blankets and towels, paper towels, office supplies, laundry detergent, aluminum cans for recycling fundraisers, gently used items to sell at flea markets for fundraisers, and the list goes on. One of our clients collects aluminum cans and delivers them to Animal Rescue Inc. (a non-profit, no-kill shelter on the MD-PA line), if you would like to contribute to this effort please bring your aluminum cans to our office.
Join the Best Friends Network: A nationwide network of people who are helping animals in their own communities.
Voice Your Opinion: Fill out an on-line form to join the ASPCA's (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Legislative Action Team. You will receive regular mailings regarding action you can take in helping to pass new laws to protect animals.
Click here to sign up now.
Stay Informed with Animal Alert News: The web magazine that helps you help animals. Animal Alert News is a new Internet-only non-commercial publication that brings you information about some of the most critical issues, stories, and situations affecting animals, and provides ways you can help.
Please check out our Animal Welfare / Rights / Humane Organizations link to find out how other people are making a difference, and maybe find more ways you can get involved.
We would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions or want to share what you are doing to make the world a better place for our faithful friends.
