Week One – 13 animals fixed, 487 to go!

This week has been very touching. A few things have happened of note…

I’ve been extremely touched at the people who have already committed to helping out this cause. While we actually have $361 already submitted, we’ve got over $1,000 on its way. I’ve always been a horrible fundraiser, but it is amazing to see how much better I am when it is a cause I am passionate about. The money we have raised just this week will pay for 13 spay/neuters.  Let’s say that does 6 dogs and 7 cats – including their offspring, that is 2,940,000 kittens and 402,000 dogs that do not have to fight for homes and other shelter pets will have a chance! According to the American Humane Association, 56 percent of dogs and 71 percent of cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized.

In other updates this week:

The organization I am partnering with has told me this could not come at a better time, as the head person has been very ill. I always say everything happens for a reason, and SNAP needed us at this time.

My best friend (Holla Kotyk!) has a company that will donate money to charitable causes as long as the employee also takes action with the cause. She is going to help me organize an event, and this will help out tremendously. She & I are also going to volunteer to check in animals at the Neuter Scooter event next Friday.

I am selling my elliptical machine – and the buyer can donate the money straight to SNAP and get the tax deduction. J I no longer use it as I walk with Wookie and Willow.

I have a couple followers on my blog, which is shocking to me – thanks Andy & BFF Crafts! It’s those type of things that remind you of the people you love and why.

Both my company – West Coast Hooters, and Paul’s Company – The Comedy Store, have agreed to give us quarterly fundraisers. This is going to happen! We will be posting the news about these events as they approach and hope you will join us for both the cause & the fun!

In sad news, the daughter of a friend works at the Humane Society, and they took in a pregnant cat that had FeLV. It was a litter of 4. This dear woman, Jessica, fostered the litter waiting for them to be old enough to be tested and determined eligible for adoption. 3 of the four have had poor first test results, and will require futher testing, posibly needing to be put down. This is exactly what we need to stop.

Thank you everyone for joining me in this effort, and every dollar makes a difference – to A LOT of animals, so skip a couple days of Starbucks, and save some furry lives!

Merry Christmas!

Why wait until 2012? Let's start NOW!

I was always a cat person, and it broke my heart to go to shelters and see 80+ cats packed into a room the size of a walk-in closet, once with 8 in one cage. My husband Paul was shocked the first time he went with me. We have 2 cat babies. Then in 2011 we also added 2 dog babies to our furry family. Both were also rescues.

We visit the dog park about 6 days a week, and it is connected to a shelter. It is so hard to see the happy dogs playing in the park and hear the agonizing barks of those in cages down the hill. In speaking with other pet parents, we have been appalled at the number of people at the dog park that have decided not to spay or neuter their pets because "I can get like $1,000 per puppy if I register it AKC," or "I love my dog! It's puppies would be so cute!" I'm grateful these people are dog owners, but so many animals are in cages, waiting for a home and a happy life, and yet one gets euthanized every 8 seconds in the US. Why add to the problem for money or "cuteness"?

I have had the same New Year's resolution each year since 2002 - be an even better person next year than I was this year. This year I decided to take measurable action. I want to make a difference in this life, and more than just connecting and positively influencing another person. I want to fight for those that can't speak for themselves. I can't give them all a home, but I can do something to reduce the number of homeless pets and those that could be fabulous pets but never have a chance because the shelter space is needed by the next intake. Our cat Snuggi had been in a 2 foot by 2 foot cage for over 90 days - and was scheduled to be put down 3 days after I decided to bring her home - she has been my constant love bug for over 4 years now. I put my nose into her fur and thank God I got there in time.

Please - I know times are hard, but the SNAP organization has this spay/neuter thing down to a science, so for them it costs on average $28 to fix an animal at a group event, where they will fix 50 animals, strays and low-income pets. I have decided to sponsor 10 events for them this year, which means I need to raise $14,000. My husband and I are committed to this - and will be holding several charity events throughout the year, and are blessed enough to have the support of our employers as well.

Please - anything you can give helps, and if you have nothing to give - share this blog with other friends and family. Together we can do this. Also - Paul says if you donate we will send you a picture of an animal that was not born thanks to your contributions! :)

Let's get started!!!