Dogsindanger.com - What Do You Think?
Alane, our managing editor for community conversation, gave me an article she cut out from another newspaper. It was about a Web site that counts down the time pets have at shelters across the U.S.
These are pets at euthanizing shelters and county pounds, and the Website aims to help the dogs find a home before it's too late. A countdown clock shows the days and hours until the pet is scheduled to be put down.
The article says dogsindanger.com works with 120 shelters nationwide that destroys dogs. The number of days given to the dogs varies by state and is from almost no time (for owners surrenders) to three days or longer, depending upon how crowded the shelter is.
Four million dogs (and probably just as many if not more cats) are put to death each year according the article. Four MILLION! That's mind-boggling and so horrible, that humans in their ignorance allow such a thing to go on.
The article says in the three weeks the site has been up, dozens of dogs found new homes. Their photos are posted in the "success stories" section. Those who didn't make it are featured on the site on a "In Memoriam" wall.
A man named Alex Aliksanyan who made lots of money in the Internet travel business spent half a million dollars to start The Buddy Fund Inc., a nonprofit group that operates the site. He hired people to manage and promote the site.
Shelters post information directly, with updates and contact information. People visiting the site can search by location, breed or time until death.
Alex says he's driven by the philosophy of Mohandas Gandhi, whose words are posted over the In Memoriam page: The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
While many countries are far worse than the United States when it comes to animal treatment, we, as the richest nation should do better.
I have not gone to the site. I don't know if I could bear to look at ONE face of a beautiful dog that has only hours to live.
I wish our shelter here would get involved with this site, but sadly, for some reason, they aren't even posting pictures on their Petfinder site. So many more could find homes if they could find someone to take the photos and post them.
So what do you think of such a site? I think it's great, but it takes a tough skin to be able to look at all the photos and not weep.
PEOPLE: Spay and neuter your pets and take care of your responsibilities!
These are pets at euthanizing shelters and county pounds, and the Website aims to help the dogs find a home before it's too late. A countdown clock shows the days and hours until the pet is scheduled to be put down.
The article says dogsindanger.com works with 120 shelters nationwide that destroys dogs. The number of days given to the dogs varies by state and is from almost no time (for owners surrenders) to three days or longer, depending upon how crowded the shelter is.
Four million dogs (and probably just as many if not more cats) are put to death each year according the article. Four MILLION! That's mind-boggling and so horrible, that humans in their ignorance allow such a thing to go on.
The article says in the three weeks the site has been up, dozens of dogs found new homes. Their photos are posted in the "success stories" section. Those who didn't make it are featured on the site on a "In Memoriam" wall.
A man named Alex Aliksanyan who made lots of money in the Internet travel business spent half a million dollars to start The Buddy Fund Inc., a nonprofit group that operates the site. He hired people to manage and promote the site.
Shelters post information directly, with updates and contact information. People visiting the site can search by location, breed or time until death.
Alex says he's driven by the philosophy of Mohandas Gandhi, whose words are posted over the In Memoriam page: The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
While many countries are far worse than the United States when it comes to animal treatment, we, as the richest nation should do better.
I have not gone to the site. I don't know if I could bear to look at ONE face of a beautiful dog that has only hours to live.
I wish our shelter here would get involved with this site, but sadly, for some reason, they aren't even posting pictures on their Petfinder site. So many more could find homes if they could find someone to take the photos and post them.
So what do you think of such a site? I think it's great, but it takes a tough skin to be able to look at all the photos and not weep.
PEOPLE: Spay and neuter your pets and take care of your responsibilities!
posted by Sandy at 10/15/2007 10:34:00 PM
Pet People
27 Comments:
Amazing... I was just getting ready to mention this in a post!
I think it's a great idea and our local shelters should find out about adding our locals to the site. If it will help save them, why not!
I think Animal Control does post pictures of their animals online. This is how I found my CeCe. It has been a few years but I am sure they still do it.
There's good and bad in everything now a days. I think the intention behind this is good, but I hope that responsible people adopt these pets. Not people who adopt out of guilt and after realize that is was a mistake and the animal ends up back at the shelter. The fact remains that if people were held more responsible for there actions and the care of animals, we wouldn't have the over population problems we have. The laws that apply to children should apply to animals as well.
I will not be looking at the website. It was hard enough when we were looking for Hunter, I spent hours on Petfinder and other sites, talking to rescues. I couldn't look into those sad faces know what will become of them.
I read this article in our local paper here in GA yesterday. I am not sure I can check out the website either. It is hard enough for me to look at the pictures posted in our paper weekly. Some of those poor babies pictures are posted over and over again so I know they have been there for a long time. Although, I think seeing an animal's picture may give them a better chance then none at finding a good home.
Another Pit Bull story in our paper today….
A woman was walking on the sidewalk near her home when 4 Pit Bulls lunged out from the bushes and attacked her! She defended herself with her purse and coat jacket but they bit her over 20 times! Luckily someone saw this happening and was able to rescue her by using their car to assist in getting her from the dogs. They took her to the hospital where she was treated then released. Police shot two dogs killing one and injuring the other one which was later euthanized. One is in doggie jail under observation and one is still on the loose! Owners have been sighted before with these dogs! The lady was lucky that someone saw this happen and jumped to action so quickly because she may had died without the assistance. This just chaps my hid to no end…..
Skeeter--what day are you arriving--Friday or Saturday?
B,
We are departing GA as soon as the Saint gets off work on Friday... Was hoping for an early departure but he received an “All Points Bulletin” that GA Power will be shutting down the electric to the entire building so he must shut down the computer system before he leaves. He must wait until the last student has finished for the day which could be, "Who Knows When" Argggg Of all weekends! Arggggg... Plus he must be back at work by 7:30 Monday morning to reboot the system. So basically we are coming up late Friday and leaving around noon on Sunday... But the family knows we are coming for the Humane Society Benefit this trip so will not get to see them all this go round... Sniff.....
But we will be back in Nov for a longer stay and Adrienne and Daisylouu meet and greet!
I have been chatting with Tina on the “In the Garden” Blog so she and I will get to have a quick “Hello” meeting at the garden swap at the library on Saturday (noon-ish) so I can give her a Lantana plant from my Georgia garden! Looking forward to meeting her….
Is there a meeting point before the Hoopla on Saturday Night??? I need to call Pam to see what her and Fly boys plan is also….. Alice and the Professor will be a bit late getting to the event but we would like to be on time so as to not miss any of the fun…. So lets start getting the plan set so I know what to do. Maybe a pre-drink somewhere…???...
Ooh ooh, pre drink is always good!!!! Especially since the only free adult beverage at the Furr Ball is BEER. YUCK!
We are going to deco the ballroom at 11:00 so that we will have plenty of time if we have to regroup or something. Right, B??
So, providing there are no last minute costume issues, I would be up for a pre-drink. But, where???? Hmmmm....
Okay, on to a serious note on Sandy's topic. I went to the site, and I think it is a powerful site, and can be a powerful tool. Not only does it have the Memorials to those that were not adopted, and info on those that must find homes, but it has good educational links and information on it as well. Things to educate on why more shelters are not the answer, and the No Kill philosophy, and the vital importance of spay/neuter programs.
I am a big crybaby when it comes to the furbabies, but if people like US who love the animals and want to save them can't deal with such things as death sentences ticking away for cute dogs, how can we expect others to do so??
Yes, the memorials are hard to look at. And the knowledge that a precious face on there with 2 days to live will probably be on the memorial page in two days time is hard to handle. But, at the same time, it gives me hope to see that people are willing to do the work to try to save these innocent lives.
I think it would be beneficial for the local shelter to get on board. But, the key is that it will take a volunteer (or several) to make that happen. It is obvious from the lack of funding and comments made at Pet Licensing forums that ADOPTION is not considered a function of Animal Control by most of our fair city.
So, that's what I think. Go to the site. Be brave for the dogs.
Stacey, you are 100% right. If we, who love pets, don't stand up for these homeless fur babies, who will? Yes, it cuts to my very soul to know that many will not be adopted. But we must do our best for them, we must have the courage to speak for those innocents who have no voice. Tell friends about it, post it at work on the bulletin board, put it in a newsletter... For every pet you have loved and lost, tell one person about adoptions. Perhaps we can SAVE them forward...
Animal Control doesn't post pictures & hasn't for a long time. It's very, very sad. That's all I'll say on the issue... at least on the blog. :)
I must veer this discussion back off topic for a moment and go back to the Furr Ball. I wanted to post it here on the most recent topic to be sure it is widely read by the Pet People.
I have something that I wanted to share with the rest of the "wenches". I have read how The Saint and Flyboy and The Boss refuse to wear a costume. You poor dears. You see, my very own Dragon has been slaving away for the past week CREATING his own disguise to wear to the Ball (he detests the word COSTUME). I have been very impressed by his creativity and his patience with the process, which did have some set backs. He gave his entire Saturday afternoon to his task, and only got a little cranky. As you may guess, Dragons are not exactly well known for their patience.
So, be preparing yourselves, oh ye wenches. The Dragon and His Lady will be appearing at the Grand Furr Ball in our finery, and I just leave it to your imagination until then just what a Dragon's mind can devise for such an occasion. Remember, it isn't too late to try and GUILT those husbands into dressing up. I recall Alice saying that the Professor will be properly attired, and now the Dragon as well. Put on that pressure, ladies.
And I have a simple solution for the Boss. Sandy, since you are coming as a dog, he can be the Dog Catcher, like in Marmaduke. Take a white shirt and write DOG CATCHER on the front and back, and give him one of those fishing nets on a pole, and a hat of some kind. There he is, a theme costume with the wife without looking too stupid. It's worth a try. Skeeter, you as a cat could try the same tactic on the Saint. Hmmmm??????
Once again let me say, it's official, your all nuts. As for a drinkee poo before the event, I'm not committing to anything until I see how many "volunteers" are going to show up to decorate that ball room. If it turns out to be me, Stacey and Amy---forget it. Jeremy is officially off volunteer status as we are both a tad disillusioned with the way people have treated this event. So I can't commit to anything right now.
I can come and help decorate. I'll have The Boss drop me off early, but I'll just need to go home with someone to change for the dance later, as I won't want to come all the way back home and then back to town again.
Why are you disilusioned? People backing out of what they said they'd do? That happens all the time everywhere for every event and every organization. It's always the same handful of people that pick up the slack. I understand you being ticked off, I don't blame you, as I've been there done that myself many,many times in many, many places.
So, maybe we Pet People can meet and knock it out and have fun too! I don't think I can come as early as 11, but by 12:30 for sure.
As to The Boss as dog catcher. He already caught me and probably regrets it. He'd be the type to drop me off on a country road, along with Scooter. :)
B,
I wish you had brought up the decorating earlier! I would have loved to help out but now I have commitments! Meeting with Tina from "in the garden" for a quick hello and then trying to catch a ball game with my niece! Hopefully Shannon will be there so we can catch up. Just where has she been lately??? Hope all is well with U-Should and the rest of the family.... And Pam, where have you been? I think I will call you today…
Depending on the ball game times, (tourney, no set times of play per team) if mom and dad can spare us, (they do like their quality time when we are home) We will try to stop by the hotel to hlep. I assume I can just walk into the ballroom with no front desk sign in…???..... I am not promising anything, just going to try to make it…
I know what you mean about the volunteering Sandy. When in Germany the Saint and I did a lot of volunteering with so much help planned until the actual work started then they all had excuses as to why they could not help out. The Saint and I would end up doing most of the work and the others would all show up just in time to get the glory of the event! That is why we don’t volunteer much anymore. We feel we did our part and it left us so mad, that we try to avoid such things. But in this case, I would have helped out if I had known!!! I assumed it was all running like a well oiled wheel but I guess not. I will try to get there Pet People helpers!
It's all good--I've voiced my feeling to the appropriate folks and have gotten it off my chest. I plan to finish what I started and stop b*tching about it.But your right Skeeter, volunteering is not for the faint at heart. Sandy if you want to do the decorating thing with us, you can come to our place and spruce up. Sorry I didn't b*ich about it sooner Skeeter, you could have joined us. From here on out, it's working towards just having a fun time and getting money into the budget to keep the animals cared for. THATS WHAT ITS AL ABOUT!!
Don't fret B, I'm a bi*tch too, in case anyone hasn't noticed yet. LOL. I'll take you up on your offer of a sprucing up place. I can't wait to see your monsters in their fence! See you all Saturday!
Guinevere,
I can’t wait to see Malady and Milord in your finest! Gee, will we recognize Dragon in his fancy duds....
Skeeter, I can accept your casual reference to me as "Milord", merely because using my full title of "His Lordship, the Grand and Glorious World Dicktater" is a bit long to write out. However, I will expect you to use my proper title in person.
Guinevere, oh dear wifey poo. I see you got out of the dungeon....I mean the kitchen....again. Drat! I keep forgetting to latch the door behind me when I leave. I see you have revealed some of my secrets here. I did see that you worked in the word COSTUME, which I have expressly forbidden you to use at any time. It lacks the proper dignity for a figure such as myself.
Sandy, Sandy, Sandy. I'm surprised you couldn't bribe the Boss into dressing up by promising to stop talking. Maybe you should try using your womanly wiles instead. No, on second thought, promise to stop talking. And if you do ever get dumped out on a country road, figure out a way to let me know where you are. I want to be sure I stay far, far away.
My mouth is my weapon of choice and it will never be sheathed. So there. :)~
Two words--CROTCH CORN!
I want everyone to know that Alice made a wonderful donation to the decorations for the H/S Halloween party!!!! God Bless you girl!!
GAH!
You're not supposed to TELL!
Anyway, I wish I could help out more physically but can't. So, I help out how I can with moola.
Shhh... no more telling!!
My dad saw the info on the Fur Bash, I am guessing in the paper,,, he asked the Saint if I would be able to keep ‘Silent’ during the Silent Auction!!!! Bite Me Big Daddy!!!
Bless your heart Alice! Your heart is in such a good place…. B, if I ever tell you a secret, you better keep it a secret…. LOL….
Okay Mr. Dragon Dick-Tater, your Lordship… or sinking ship or what ever…… Guinevere will you be able to keep the old scaly one in line Saturday night??? If not, we Wenches will take charge! I have an extra long cat tail that I can swat him with…. LOL
ok--nobody said it was a secret-and I apologize if I let a cat out of the bag--BUT!!!!! Bless you again Alice!!!!!Your wonderful!!!
Yes Alice, bless you for all you do! It is very much appreciated believe me! I like you am not able to do physical things such as lifting and etc, but Brett if you still need help with other types of decorating I will try to be there and help too. Let me know if you still need it. I have such a pet peeve about people not volunteering because I ahve delt with that one for many many years as a Army officers wife! There is always that FEW who do it all while others sit around and complain about how things are done! Ok, won't go any farther with this one, makes me mad.
I heard about that site to help the dogs get home and trust me no matter how much I want to help, because I can't adopt one I cannot stand to see any of those precious babies that are going to thier death! My heart can't take it. I lie awake so many hours just thinking about how these poor animals are put to death like that all the time and it has caused me so much stress! I pray that site will start getting all the animals good loving homes!
Oh brother dear, could it be possible that you are coming to the ball in a "Dragon" costume? I mean I know that would be a stretch to imagine but it's a thought,ha.
I have Fly Boy a costume and I will get him in it. Don't expect much people but it's the best I could do this time. We will be at the Black Horse for that pre party bash! I only hope they will serve me with my costume on. That's all I'm going to say.
Yes Alice, bless you for all you do! It is very much appreciated believe me! I like you am not able to do physical things such as lifting and etc, but Brett if you still need help with other types of decorating I will try to be there and help too. Let me know if you still need it. I have such a pet peeve about people not volunteering because I ahve delt with that one for many many years as a Army officers wife! There is always that FEW who do it all while others sit around and complain about how things are done! Ok, won't go any farther with this one, makes me mad.
I heard about that site to help the dogs get home and trust me no matter how much I want to help, because I can't adopt one I cannot stand to see any of those precious babies that are going to thier death! My heart can't take it. I lie awake so many hours just thinking about how these poor animals are put to death like that all the time and it has caused me so much stress! I pray that site will start getting all the animals good loving homes!
Oh brother dear, could it be possible that you are coming to the ball in a "Dragon" costume? I mean I know that would be a stretch to imagine but it's a thought,ha.
I have Fly Boy a costume and I will get him in it. Don't expect much people but it's the best I could do this time. We will be at the Black Horse for that pre party bash! I only hope they will serve me with my costume on. That's all I'm going to say.
Pam, make sure you have your ID with you. You may look a bit young ya know... tee hee...
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