rescue animals

Saving animals is always such a fulfilling thing. No matter if it’s just helping a turtle get across the road or opening your home up to a dog in need. Another great thing to do if you’re passionate about helping animals, is to vegetarian or vegan. Did you know that vegetarians save 100 lives per year? One person can save 100 defenseless animals…it’s amazing to have that power.

I love animals and want to help them.

I have one rescue dog at the moment, and I would love to do something really special for the RSPCA or a similar charity. I donate money to them every month, but I would love to do more and really make a difference.

I’m 24, and for as long as I can remember, a huge chunk of my existence has been spent with animals. I grew up in a house in the woods, so wild animals (squirrels, birds, chipmunks, groundhogs, deer, ducks, raccoons, and squillions of insects) were commonplace, and I loved them all. My family ended up taking in a stray cat that someone undoubtedly dumped. That was in 1986, and she only passed away last July 6th, 2006. She had a fabulous life! I’ll post a picture of her pretty soon.

Since we moved to Iowa, I’ve volunteered at our town’s no-kill shelter, and have also rescued many animals. Let’s see…

I rescued a baby squirrel that got blown out of his nest when he was just weeks old (I’ve posted his picture here; I called him Squire). If you want info on raising squirrels, there’s a fantastic website: http://www.hal-pc.org/~jbsum/squirrel.html. Squire grew to be stunningly beautiful and healthy, and had a nice long life out in the neighborhood. He never ventured far from our house, though, and it was always a treat to get to see him hopping around the trees outside.

I rescued another squirrel that I believe got hit by a car. I found him in the middle of the road, and he was bleeding. I rushed him to the vet, and they said I should have him put down. I refused, and had him for about 2 weeks after that. He was doing very well, but he finally succumbed to something I had no idea he had, which was worms. That was very sad. But he had a very good last few weeks.

I rescued 4 oprhaned baby mice, and hand-fed each of them about 5 times a day for 4 weeks, and then released them. If you’ve never hand-fed a baby mouse, you may not appreciate just how difficult it is… They’re super rambunctious! And tiny! I actually had to fabricate my own feeding “bottle” for them that was small enough to fit in their mouths. I was proud of that one, it was quite inventive!

I rescued a pigeon that was flailing and flapping on the side of a busy road, obviously having been hit by a car. I kept him/her in a cat carrier for the night, and the next day I released it, and it actually sat on my hand for a long time, seemingly not wanting to leave. He/she flew away eventually, and was fine.

I also rescued a dog from a neglectful, borderline abusive situation. He was a boxer, and he was such a sweetheart. Basically, I took him, and hid him away in a friend’s house for a month, and finally was able to find him the most loving home a dog could dream of! He’s doing very well, and his new guardians adore him.

I can say without a doubt that there’s no greater feeling, no greater rush than when you know that you’ve saved the life of an animal in need, or, at the very least, made its last days/weeks/months comfortable, warm, and full of love and care.

For anyone who may be interested, I highly recommend the book Out of Harm’s Way, by Terri Crisp. It’s amazing. Whether or not you’ve ever rescued an animal, or even want to, this book is truly wonderful. Poignant, sad, hilarious, sweet, amazing. It beautifully illustrates the joy, the heart-break, the adventure, and the fulfillment one can get from rescuing animals. It’s certainly some of the most fulfilling work I’ve ever had the honor to do!

Rescuing rabbits is great. I’ve been working with local rescue groups, which helps. Next on my agenda is finding ways to raise money for their neuters. It’ll be a while before this materializes, but so far I’m feeling good about my progress.

If you all want to save animals you will really like this organization, the ALF, they take direct action in saving animals lives.
heres a good video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WTSUGetKFc

somehow strays always seemed to have stumbled my way while i was growing up. Not only cats and dogs did my friend and i constantly find, but also random snakes we’d bring back into the woods. There were a few instances in which I we were lucky enough to find a home for some of the cats we found.

I’ve helped rescue countless animals throughout my life. It can be stressful at times, but in the end it’s always wonderful. Not only do you help give animals a second chance, it adds so much hope to the world. Just don’t take on too many strays personally. Only bite off more then you can chew. Everyone can only do what they can.

The best rescue in California is here btw—-> http://www.glendalehumane.org

We’ve rescued two dogs – a neurotic male sheltie we got from a couple – the wife was forcing the husband to give the sheltie up because the sheltie was betaing up on her Shi Tsu…

and a little small Jack Russell/rat terrier dog that tried to outrun my pickup one day ..apparently someone had dumped little Krissy off on our road…

We have friends who also assist in dog rescues…

Fireguy2

...as of last Friday, we added a new member to our little kitty family. I’d been on the list for a rescue of a “gray, long-haired, female” for about a year now (wanted to add one more while the boys were still young enough to accept a newbie) & got the call about 2wks ago. She’s about 9wks old, was turned in to a shelter with her 2 brothers (who quickly found homes), but had to battle a serious infection, and just barely pulled thru. She’s recovered now, but is still very small, skinny & weighs about as much as a feather,,,,but She is about the FEISTY-ist little thang i’ve ever seen. She is absolutely fearless. In 4 short days she has completely dominated to 2 adult boys, running them in circles around the living room. (They keep looking up at me with pitiful eyes to say: “Can you please lock her in her carrier?? We’re Exhausted !! (i just laugh) Kali is the name that occurred to me on the way to pick her up, and it certainly seems to suit her….

_{(onery little demon pud :)}

cant wait to get a photo to post of her…!

(just got the digital camera set-up for photos & transfer,,,so here’s one of the first decent ones i’ve got of Kali. (its not the best/most flattering),,,but its tough to catch her sitting still :)

btw, she’s still suffering from a case of “weepy eyes”; an eye infection common in stray kittens. We’re treating with antibiotic eyedrops, and i clean her eyes daily with a wash cloth,,,but its going take a while to clear up. So that’s why her eyes look so goofy/icky, right now…