Fact for thought: A real time graph generated by Pet-Abuse.com shows that already by January 14, 2010 there have been 139 total animal abuse cases reported. The cases are abuse where animals where intentionally tied and bound.

I researched non stop for current stories to talk about in this post. What I stumbled upon in my research of current events was a short article. Art Aisner wrote the article for the Ann Arbor times. The following is my summary of whatthe article talked about.

 In Milan, Michigan a woman named Heather Feist was charged with animal cruelty in October. Her 11-month old Labrador mix puppy named Lou was found in her yard. Lou had been tied up in her owner in the front yard. The collar she had on was so tight that it had become embedded in her neck, this lead to a wound and infection.

Investigators for animal cruelty stepped into the situation. They took Lou to an animal rescue where she has been treated and cared for. The pup is now healthy and being prepared for adoption. While earlier this month Ms. Feist had her pre-trial and entered her plea. Because of the situation she is still allowed to live freely but on the condition she can’t own pets (who ever gave her the puppy in the first place really should have done a good check to make sure she would be a good owner).

After I heard the article I couldn’t help but think that this young pup did not ask to be treated like this but he was. I am glade that animal rescue was able to step in and treat this puppy saving his life. But I can’t help but thinking what if they didn’t. And I also want to know what will happen to Ms. Feist, will she just get a simple fine and go about her life? Also where there people who knew what was happening but did not act upon the information sooner?

I think no matter what if someone sees something like this they should report this. Many dogs, cats and other animals aren’t as fortunate and saved. If you see something you need to speakout about it and report to your local animal rescue or even your local authorities. We always here about needing to speak out when we see cases like these but how many people actually?

3/25/08

    Today has been very exciting in the world of this project. In class today we did a little questionnaire about our change agents. Up until now, this has been one of my setbacks. The questions basically asked us if we had a change agent and when we were meeting with them. No one had contacted me back at that point in time, so I was left writing “N/A” on my paper. I felt defeated.
    When I got home tonight, I checked my e-mail. Alas! I saw a new e-mail from a name I didn’t recognize. It was from a woman named Melissa Levy, the Director of Development at PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society). She had been replying to my original contact for a meeting time so I could present my elevator pitch. The e-mail read, “Thanks so much for your interest in saving Philadelphia's animals! I'd be happy to set up a time to meet with you in early-April.” These were the best words I could read at that moment.
    Now, with a meeting time and the beginnings of an Action Plan outline, I’m back on track. I felt overwhelmed for a little, but this seemed to be what I needed to fix that. Sometimes, things take a while. Sometimes, things go well. This was a sign.

2/22/08

    An interesting article came my way this week while I was looking through my feeds. It was debating the effectiveness of the No Kill shelters at different locations in the country. To start, they pose the very interesting question of, “Have shelters failed these 'NoKill' plans or have the 'NoKill' plans failed the shelters?” That does seem to be the debate. Yes, the killing in these animal shelters needs to stop. But has this No Kill project been too much for the shelters to handle? Is there a better way that people haven’t thought of yet to stop the violence in these shelters?
    The author of the article goes on to say how successful the No Kill shelter program has been working in Philadelphia. As for the rest of the country, not so much. Then states, “Should we just give up trying to become 'NoKill?' Absolutely not! The ten basic 'NoKill' programs are a start but they're just a start…” I think this sums up everyone’s feelings. This is only a start. There needs to be more work done. With that statement though, another question is raised. What else can we do? How can we, as people, come together and have a bigger impact for the animals? What is wrong with the No Kill project right now? Things are getting better from the No Kill Advocacy Center. It is helping.
    My question for you, people of the world, is what is wrong here? What else? What next? I think that there is more. More that can be done. More ways to branch out the No Kill shelters in the country. I’m posing a challenge: What is the next step to take the No Kill shelters to an even more successful level?