adopt Archives - BareFootPets

Learning To Power Rescue.

jeannie — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 03:58:24 +0000

None Of Us Has The Luxury Of Time.

Ramona

Especially not the pets locked away on death row in high-kill shelters, with the clock quickly ticking, and not the rescuers trying to figure out how to save them. You must adopt a mind-set to act quickly and figure out details later, such as possible behavior issues, medical issues, etc. Sadly, high-kill “shelters” still operate all over the country; so, as a rule, you don’t have time to think about rescuing a pet, like I thought I did with Ramona (see earlier post “It Should Not Have Ended This Way”).

You need to act first and figure it all out later–learn to power rescue.

A Rose by Any Other Name?

Don’t be fooled about “shelters.” Too many of them are anything but. “Shelter” is too often code for “killing machine.” People need to be aware that way too many shelters in our country are still high-kill and operate under old, close-minded protocols, using euthanasia as their first choice to manage animal population. They extinguish precious animals’ lives, and justify the murders by blaming fake reasons, such as lack of kennel space, lack of people willing to adopt, the animal has behavioral issues, the animal is fearful, etc. Of course an animal is fearful — look where he is!! The chaos, the smell of death in the hallways, fear of all the strange people and other caged animals around him. But take him out and away from those halls of hell and watch him blossom. Sadly, “shelters” still exist that won’t be bothered to give animals in their supposed care such a chance. In these cases, the shelters aren’t shelters at all–they’re killing machines.

Whose Job Is It, Anyway?

Hope and her precious babies, all killed by the “shelter.”

Another thing “shelters” do is put the responsibility and blame on us, the public, whether the animals live or die. They assign animals an arbitrary 72 hours to live, then pretty much just sit back and wait. If no one steps up to adopt or rescue him within the 72 hours, the “shelter” feels justified in killing the poor animal–as if they had no choice, they were forced, it’s not their fault. The beautiful mama lab in this photo, ironically named Hope, and her newborn pups–every last precious one of them–were murdered by the shelter. Instead of protecting them and finding homes for them, in the way that “sheltering” means, the “shelter” decided it was easier and more cost-effective to just get rid of them. Even though rescue organizations were standing by, offering and begging for the lives of this innocent family, the “shelter” took the shameful way out, and killed them, all of them, one by one.

Certainly not all shelters are this cold and ugly, but sadly too many still are. Truth is, it should be squarely on the shelters to advocate for the animals–it’s their job–to set up new programs that pro-actively prepare the shelter animals behaviorally and health-wise so they have the best possible chance at finding caring, responsible new homes; and to create public and media outreach programs that make more people aware of the pets needing homes, and encourage those folks to foster and/or adopt. Nathan Winograd, founder of No Kill Advocacy, has a regular blog that addresses the failure of shelters nationwide to show compassion toward the animals they have charge over. Nathan created the No-Kill design that truly saves the lives of shelter animals, not kills them behind closed doors. Visit these links to learn more. I’ve spoken about Nathan and the No Kill Advocacy in previous posts. Their efforts have resulted in profound improvements nationwide in sheltering. Because of them, “a no-kill nation is within our reach.”

Learn To Power Rescue.

To anyone who considers getting involved in pet rescue, know this: You Must Be Prepared To Go All-In. There is no halfway. Prepare yourself to act quickly so that situations like poor Ramona and Hope don’t happen should you hesitate. Prepare yourself to be flexible because you typically will not know the behavioral or medical history of most pets you will rescue, so you’ll be dealing on a daily basis with many unknowns. Learn ahead of time what you can to be best prepared to handle tough situations. You’re going to need every bit of emotional, mental, and physical strength you can draw upon.

Above all, prepare your heart. Rescue is an extreme labor of love that will change you from the inside out. Once you commit to saving and protecting these vulnerable lives from those who would hurt them, and experience the power in this simple act of love, you will never be the same. And, while it will hurt like hell, that’s a good thing.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie. ?

About jeannie: I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

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To All The Black-Fur Pets I Have Loved.

jeannie — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 22:49:24 +0000

Author Unknown

The Unchosen.

It’s a statistical fact that pets with black fur get left behind. Doesn’t matter if it’s a good dog or the perfect kitty — they don’t get chosen. People tend to pass right over them when walking the shelter aisles. Maybe folks are shopping for a pet to go with their furniture or their wardrobe, and black just isn’t the right match. We need to straighten out our thinking. A pet isn’t a knick-knack that has to blend in visually with your decor or your lifestyle. It’s a life — precious and valuable no matter what the color of its fur.

“See” Your Choice Through The Eyes Of Love.

Next time you go to the shelter to find your next great furry love, close your eyes. Let your heart take you up and down the aisles and lead you to the perfect little life who’s waiting for you. Make your choice based on chemistry, personality, love, and compassion — those intangibles that are beyond measure. Quite possibly, your right choice might very well be a shimmering jet black pet. And, if your heart is in the right place, you rightly won’t be in the least bit disappointed. You’ll see him for the beautiful life he is, inside and out, and not as if the color of his fur were some kind of unfortunate thing.

To All The Black-Fur Pets I Have Loved.

In my decades of pet rescue, I’ve been given the gift and privilege of loving many black-fur pets. I can tell you tender stories about each one of them that are seered into my memory, and not one of those sweet memories is diminished by the color of their fur. Following is a tribute to some of those treasured little faces that I miss so much and still hold fast in my heart forever.

God Love And Keep You Forever.

Awesome Name Ideas For Black-Fur Pets.

I came across a couple of websites that offer great name suggestions for black-fur pets, and here are a few that stood out. Feel welcome to draw from this list or use it to come up with even more ideas for your next pet:

(https://www.smalldogplace.com/black-dog-names.html)
(https://pethelpful.com/cats/cool-unique-and-creative-black-cat-names-for-your-beloved-pet)

MARLEY

Make The Best Of Your Black-Fur Pet’s Look.

When Marley came to live with me, this black-as-night from head-to-toe, all boy, muscular kitty, I wanted to get him a manly collar to go with his manly personality. But everything I tried looked bland on him, and nothing seemed to showcase him the way I had hoped … until I bought him a hot-pink collar. Omigosh, it POPPED! Marley looked like a million dollars, and the hot-pink didn’t take away one ounce from his masculinity. Be creative; it will help you “look past” the black-fur issue.

ROMAN

Roman was the most beautiful jet-black Flat Coat Retriever I’ve seen in my life. I bought her a coal-black collar slathered all over in sparkling Swarovski crystals that lit up her face. People would stop us out in public all the time to comment on how stunning she was. Thing is, Roman was always stunning even without crystals. People just are programmed not to notice black-fur pets. But add some bling, and now the black-fur pets show up on everyone’s WOW! radar. So think outside the box — make sure your black-fur pet stands out and gets the attention it deserves.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie. ?

The post To All The Black-Fur Pets I Have Loved. appeared first on BareFootPets.

Rescue or Breeder – Where Should I Get My Next Pet?

jeannie — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 07:20:31 +0000

Answering The Call

Let’s talk about the age-old question of whether to buy from a breeder or adopt from a shelter? Following is my humble but heartfelt two cents’ worth. Heads-up, my perspective comes from being up close and personal on the front lines of pet rescue for many decades, so you surely can guess on which side of the debate I firmly stand. But stay with me — I also add a twist.

NOTE: my post does not condemn, but intends only to enlighten and encourage. Please accept my words in the spirit of care and concern for animal welfare that they are given? And please indulge me this moment to advocate for rescue on behalf of those helpless animals that cannot speak for themselves?

The Epidemic Is Way Too Big — How Can I Possibly Make Any Difference?

Think of the backyard BBQ where there are lots and lots of yummie hotdogs on the grill, all cooked and ready to eat. And they’re darned good hotdogs. But a customer walks up and says “I don’t want any of those hotdogs. I want you to cook me a brand new one,” leaving the perfectly good ones on the grill to spoil needlessly. We need to become aware of the ones still on the grill. Simplistic analogy, but you get my point.

As long as shelters continue to be overflowing nationwide — and sadly they are — and homeless animals are being killed simply because there’s no room for them in those shelters, and as long as more and more animals are being discarded by owners out onto the streets and left desperate for us to save them from tragic deaths, I say with the deepest conviction that we should always adopt from shelters and rescue organizations, or invite that little stray into your home — you know, the one that’s been hanging around gazing into your window, hoping desperately for a bite of food or a moment’s kindness?

Who Rescued Whom?

You know, I have found that oftentimes these little souls choose us and not the other way around. It’s happened to me many many times over the years. I encourage you to be sensitive to that notion next time a stray happens across your path — could be you’ve been chosen. It may just be a little angel that God sent to brighten up your life. 🙂

As long as there are vulnerable, desperate lives crying out for our help, it seems unconscionable to me that anyone would special-order a puppy or kitten from a breeder, as if a purebred pet that isn’t even born yet is of more value than a homeless pet, its life literally on the line, usually through no fault of its own. This is my heartfelt belief. But wait — there’s a compromise.

Let’s Do Both!

The twist to my perspective is this: If your preference and desire is genuinely to purchase a purebred cat or dog, by all means, go ahead. It’s not my place to condemn, and I don’t. I’m just asking you to ALSO still adopt a homeless pet. It need not be a choice of “either-or” but how about “hey, let’s get one of each!” Create a happy pet family while being a part of the answer for homeless animals! it’s a win-win and you’re a hero! yay!

Can you wrap your head around the numbers? Literally millions of homeless animals are put to death every year because no one chose to save them. Millions … Millions. Let that sink in. Here’s another fact: we could prevent every single one of those needless, heartbreaking deaths if every household would rescue just one homeless pet … just one. And when you’re hearing such huge numbers thrown around, I get that it’s easy to forget to look at each singular face. Remember, every life matters. Every single one.

What Does Your Conscience Tell You?

Adopting a rescue pet requires a person to become aware and then engage the heart. Folks cannot act appropriately out of a caring conscience when they don’t even know of the epidemic facing abandoned pets every day. I’m in no way saying that folks are hateful and selfish if they don’t rescue. What I am saying is that many folks simply are not aware of the desperate need. That’s what this post is for — to help share.

Awareness Is Key.

I believe in the fundamental goodness of humankind, and I believe that, as more people do become aware, more people will help. I personally want to help educate and enlighten. This BareFootPets blog project is only one of my personal contributions toward the cause.

Certainly in answering the question of “buy versus rescue,” your conscience needs to play a part. It must play a part — to get to the more compassionate answer. You must pro-actively decide to be a part of the solution for rescue and animal welfare.

And you should know, helping is not a burden — helping means saving a little life, giving it a home, loving and caring and protecting it, and receiving abundant love and gratitude in return. This is not a burden — this is a blessing.

From Your Insides Out.

Let me promise you that, once you open your heart and home to a helpless abandoned pet, to watch that little soul come to life again, to see hope and joy, and trust begin to show in his eyes again, and to feel his unspoken yet profound gratitude for the gift you gave him, you will be changed from the inside out … forever. The healing starts with one little life at a time. Be a part of the answer, be the kindness that reaches out to a life that may not survive if you turn away. Am I tugging at your heart strings yet? I’m not trying to be dramatic, but I am trying to emphasize the importance of each life. All life is sacred, and we as humans are obligated to protect and do no harm.

I borrowed this featured image for this post from a fellow rescue organization (Alleys Rescued Angels) who posted the image on Instagram, and I want to give full credit to them for stating it so beautifully — There is no greater legacy to leave than a beating heart that would not have had a chance, had it not been for you.

I Choose To Stand Against The Dark Side Of Humanity.

I have seen things over the years in pet rescue that have nearly stolen my faith in humanity. I have seen every day how vile and ugly human beings can be toward animals. And I’ve suffered greatly for what I’ve seen. But, rather than indulge depression and defeat and a shredded heart, I choose to use that heartbreak to become the difference, to become part of the answer. I choose to let the answer begin with me. If one homeless pet lives because someone read this post and saved him, that’s a big start. That’s a success. That’s an answer to prayer. And it will grow from there. I have faith, and I believe.

Why BareFootPets(TM)?

The main reason I started the BareFootPets blog project is to share as much first-hand knowledge as possible that I’ve learned in my lifetime of pet rescue — to support and empower pet owners in caring for your pets so that they are less likely to be abandoned or surrendered to shelters or let out onto the streets because of health or behavioral issues. I’ve seen even many purebreds discarded when they became too much to care for, or didn’t behave just as the owner had hoped.

So education is also key, and I point you again to this whole website, where I have designed all of the tips and posts and videos and products to help you preserve and protect your relationship with your pet. I believe if we can better care for our pets, we’ll be more likely to keep them with us in our homes for their whole lives; and then this, along with rescue, together will help to reduce the numbers of homeless pets desperate for that last chance. Sometimes my efforts seem so small and insignificant, but then I look in the face of one of my rescue pets, and I realize that it means the world to that little pet, and that’s where it all needs to begin, with each single little life. It feels amazing to be part of the answer, to be the hero.

Try it. Be a hero. Choose life for a desperate animal that can’t choose for itself. Thanks for letting me soapbox.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie. ?

The post Rescue or Breeder – Where Should I Get My Next Pet? appeared first on BareFootPets.