Greetings from Tennessee!

[brybert]

Hi!
I an in Tennessee and I am delighted to report I just rehomed a very sweet little girl kitty here. It took over seventy calls..I was just beside myself. I cannot believe how many people that used to care don't.

Oh..I also was not aware our shelter has a almost 100% kill rate. Of course..they don't tell you that..but it's very close to the truth, I'm afraid.

Oh..yes..they're raising money to build a new one..but will that solve the problem? Of course not. Stupid people...that's the problem. So...I'm doing what I can to solve the underlying problem:

1. Educate

Print brochures and attempt to educate these irresponsible people. Help others do the same. I have a talent in regards to saving money on print jobs. In fact..I just graduated from the 1 litre bottles of refill ink..to the one gallon.

Woo!

2. Setup and manage a network

I need to help others help keep animals away from these shelters. There are more in the area and I'm checking them out. Just because this "shelter" is not doing the right thing..does not mean there are not others in the area that are doing the right thing. Foster homes..perhaps even our own facility.

3. Get the word out-spay/neuter

Maintain resource lists..make it cheaper for poor people to get these pets fixed. Help them along the way..ie: Transportation, donations to help with fees, food, litter-help solve the problem of overpopulation.

4. Anything else I have not just thought of

We certainly don't have a big problem with ferals here. Do what I can to keep it that way. Start a capture-fix and release program for the ferals we do have here. Find homes for the kittens..again..keeping them away from the "shelter".

Do whatever it takes.

I love cats..and it just breaks my heart to see so many die so needlessly.

Bryon
Soil/Cat/Kitty Relocation Engineer

[mastifflover]

Welcome and you are doing what you can. If everybody does a little it will change but it is a slow process. But we grin and just keep trying. You will find majority of our members have rescues work in rescues or are pro spay neuter you will fit in here just fine. PS we will require pics of your cutie

[marko]

welcome to the board brybert!

[BenMax]

Welcome to the board.

Personally I think you are on the right track. Education is definately the key. Another way of understanding the problem and ways to try and solve the problem is actually volunteering at the shelter. You will get insight on why the problem exists, and perhaps you will be able to share some of your findings or even give suggestions to the shelter on some of your ideas.

Working as a community gives power. You are part of this community and you can help them and also the rest of the community.

By gaining experience at a shelter (as unpleasant as it may be) you will have an idea as to what they are facing. With this information you can network with various outlets (such as pet food stores that do not sell animals) and build a report with them so that they can open their doors for adoption clinics which gives the shelter exposure as well as the animals.

The ideas are endless.

[hazelrunpack]

Welcome to the board, brybert!