Many shelters have wish lists.  Locally we have a group that even has a wish list on Amazon.com and has collected several of the beds they needed for the Shelter building.  Check your local area to see what their needs are.  Usually they can always use the following items.

Animal Nursing Bottles – Puppy/Kitten Formula – Food Dishes

Grooming Tools – Shampoo – Brushes- Leashes - Collars

Tennis Balls –Kong Toys – Cat Toys

Crates (Lg/Sm), Heating Pads/Lamps

Blankets – Towels – News Paper

Ponchos – Flash Lights – Gloves

Many need people to come out and spend time with the animals and cash to assist with medical care or adoption events.  So time and Money are great donations!

So now let’s see the animals!

Meet Freckles

Freckles is a young small female mixed breed and weighs about 35lbs.  She recently birthed a litter of puppies and was spayed on 10/22.  She has great manners in the car and loves to have a bath.  Freckles loves other dogs, people and children but does not care for cats.  If you think you might be interested in adopting her please contact Melody L. Drew or Dixie Lee Price.

Meet Buddy.

Let’s check out some Kittens

This is a litter of precious little babies looking for a home.  They are black and grey and still showing their blue baby kitten eye color.  If you might be interested in these kittens please contact Melody L. Drew or Nona Hunter for the most up to date information.

This is our second litter.

 Photo Credit - Connie Whitaker

This is a second litter of kittens looking for a home.  They are on dry food and are learning how to be cats.  The foster says they are playful and mischievous and are ready for a great home.  If you think you might be interested in on of them please contact Connie Whitaker.

Finally, I want to share the story of Jake.  

Jake belonged to a 77 year old man with Parkinson’s disease who was just diagnosed with throat and lung cancer a month ago.  Jake’s owner, had one last wish.  He wanted to see his dog go to a forever home.  Jake is a 7 year old chocolate lab and springer spaniel mix.  He’s loving and faithful. On October 26th Jake's owner passed away.  Currently there are a few people interested in adopting him but if you believe that Jake may be a fit for you please reach out.

Jake would be a great in a single pet home located in or around the Myrtle Beach area.  If you think you may be able to assist this family please contact – Cindy Bright (Einstein’s Dog-Sitting Service LLC) at 843-293-0416 or 843-457-0893 or email her at cjbsam4@sc.rr.com.

That’s our last entry for Sunday Shelter Me.  If you can adopt, please do.


PLEASE Remember to spay and neuter your pets.

Namaste and Blessed Be

Sosanna

)O(

This week for the Shelter Series I’m going to take a look at something that many people over look.  Today, tons of animals are put down every year due to what some people say is irresponsible breeding practices.  The Humane Society of the United States quotes the number as being four million.

Pet overpopulation is a huge issue and certainly needs to be addressed.  That being said, who is ultimately responsible for this issue?  Is it the pet store who sold the dog?  The breeder who ‘created’ the dog?  Let’s look at this from a couple of prospective.

One –

If my dog bites you in the park, do you sue the pet store?  I mean they should have made sure that I trained my dog properly, right?  Should they have made sure that I was a good owner and knew how to make sure my dog wouldn't bite?  Should they be held responsible for the face that I didn’t socialize my dog?

Two –

If my dog digs out of his yard and comes into your flower bed every day and digs up your prize tulips whose responsible?  Maybe we should sue the breeder, because, because you know, if we put that breeder out of business, there will be so many fewer dogs to dig up gardens.  Yeah that’s the ticket!

Three –

If my dog is unaltered and I let her run freely about my neighborhood she could get pregnant.  She could have a lot of puppies that I end up giving away in the Wal-Mart parking lot … or maybe on Craig’s List.  Those pups could end up at the shelter and ultimately put down.  Who’s responsible?  The breeder I got my dog from?  Or is it the local animal control that never followed up on complaints?

You know who is responsible?  

ME!  

That’s right.  ME.  I’m responsible.  I went and purchased a dog because I wanted to have a Yorkie.  I wanted a pure bred.  That’s my right.  No one is looking around at all the children in foster care and saying HEY no more babies until all these are adopted!  Umm no.  That’s not how you “teach” responsible parenting.  Nor is it how you teach responsible pet ownership. 

Adopting from the shelter is a great endeavor.  I have the utmost respect for those that do that.  Sadly however they do not respect me.  No matter how many fosters I take in or how many times I help trap and release feral cats, I’m still a horrible “breeder”.

I feel like I should be standing on a back alley, opening my jacket with pockets filled with little pups…

“Hey bub… Over here… I gota nice Yorkie today.”

BAH! 

People want a certain type of dog.  I believe that if they indeed want to have that dog, they should be able to get a dog from a responsible breeder who cares about the dogs.  One who raises them as part of their own family?  One who spends day and night with the dogs? 

I love my dogs.  I work with the owners of the dogs to ensure that they are all going to loving homes. 

At ETKennels, I also offer to always take those dogs back.  If at any time the dog is no longer a fit for the family, I want it back here at my home.  EVERYONE who gets a dog from me has that option.

Photo Credit - ETKennels - The Pack

So yes, I am a breeder.  I’m also a foster, a rescuer and a responsible pet owner.  ALL of my “PETS” are altered and up to date. 

Photos Credit - ETKennels - Elijah & Our Pups

To locate a spay or neuter location in your area, simply search on Google.  There are TONS of solutions to help you become a responsible pet owner.

Wondering if you should breed your dog?  

If you’re asking that question, the answer is no.  Here’s a great FAQ by the AKC on dog breeding.

Local Resources

Spay Today – Greenville

SNAP – NC

NC Spay Neuter Program

Tips on Finding a Responsible Breeder

 AKC - American Kennel Club

The Humane Society of the US

Not sure? Just ask.  I'm always willing to answer questions and help folks get in contact with Rescues Shelter or other organizations that will assist you in finding a rescue.

Namaste & Blessed Be!

Sosanna

)O(

As part of my Shelter Me series for the NaBlogWriMo project, I’m taking a moment to focus on one of my other passions.  I love animals.  All shapes and sizes, colors and types.  Today I’m going to talk about a small rescue group that does amazing stuff for the animals.

Paw-N-Hand rescue is headed up by an amazing lady, Melody Drew.  Melody works tirelessly for the animals.  She’s always cross posting photos, bring dog food out to folks that need it, picking up animals from the shelter and much much more. 

I've had the pleasure of working with Melody several times on different projects.  I've fostered dogs for her.  Many of you may remember the Plott Hounds that we posted.

As well as the pack of 15 Kittens and 2 Mama Kitties we took from the shelter last year.  Melody was on hand with food, vet care and everything a foster home needs to take care of the babies. 

Just last year I found a colony of abandon cats with the help of a Facebook friend and by working with Melody and a team of FB volunteers who donated cash to assist; today all of those cats are fixed and living happily in my barn out back.  Just as wild as the day we met them.

Melody’s work for the animals knows no bounds.  She’s always the first to lend a hand and pull money from her own pocket to help others.  She lists dogs with other rescues as well.  She’s one amazing lady.

If you have time, head over to her Facebook Page and offer a post of support, or send her an email saying what a great job she’s doing.  Melody works for these animals though donations and her own pocket book.  If you can’t adopt an animal, please consider donating a few bucks to this great cause!

Friday Melody shared some photos of a cat family looking for a home.  I've added their photos below.  Their rescue fell through and they have nowhere to go.  If you can’t adopt, please share this around so that maybe someone can help.

I found my kitty Sage from one of her posts.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. "

Namaste & Blessed Be

Sosanna

)O(