How to Help the Animals

There are many ways you can make a difference for the animals without spending a lot of time or money. We can suggest a few.
Adopt a homeless animal
Rescue an animal in need
Work toward solutions
Educate the world around you
Lend a helping hand
Donation programs

ADOPT A HOMELESS ANIMAL

There are far more animals than there are homes. That's the most important fact in Rescue. Changing that will take everyone's effort over a long time, but we will change it. It's the proverbial journey of a thousand miles that begins with one step. The first step you can take is to adopt a homeless animal when you're thinking of getting a companion animal. They're waiting at shelters and pounds through no fault of their own. Some need training. Some only need a more appropriate home. Each has so much love to give and wants to be loved so much it could break your heart. Give one a chance, you'll never look back. To see our animals available for adoption, click on Our Adoptable Pet List on our Petfinder page.


Lola was a plain black cat who'd been living in a crawl space. You wouldn't give her a second look.
But show her a little affection and Lola would gaze up at you adoringly. She had so much love to give
and such a yearning to be loved. Lola was one of the lucky ones who has been adopted.

RESCUE AN ANIMAL IN NEED

You've probably seen them without being aware of them: the thin cat who furtively passes your house, the dog roaming around the street alone, the rabbit in the park.... These are animals who need help. When you see that thin, grubby cat you could put a little food out for him. After a few days you may find he'll let you pick him up. Then you can either make him part of your family or turn him over to a rescue group that can care for him. The dog wandering around alone is at risk of being hit by a car. If you can catch him you can check for ID. Bunnies in parks are at risk of being killed by predators. If she's a domestic bunny that has been turned loose by a guardian who thought she could live happily on the grass in the park, then she's almost certainly doomed. She won't have a wild rabbit's savvy about living on her own. You can see if she'll let you get close enough to catch her.


Allie McBinky was found sitting in the grass across from Albion Park.

WORK TOWARD SOLUTIONS

There are many ways for people to help the animals.

EDUCATE THE WORLD AROUND YOU

The facts about companion animal overpopulation, companion animal abandonment and other animal welfare issues are all over the internet, but the people who most need to know about them are not necessarily the ones reading them. Has someone told you that their cat just had kittens? Maybe they don't know that the majority of cats and kittens in shelters are euthanized because there aren't enough homes. Maybe they don't know that a cat can go into her first heat as young as four months of age. Maybe they don't know that two cats can be responsible for more than 400,000 offspring over seven years. They need to know. You could put up spay/neuter posters, you could talk to classes and youth groups, or you could write letters to your local newspaper about the problem. Surf the web for some facts. Here's a start: HSUS Pet Overpopulation and Ownership Statistics.


Statistically, in North America a kitten like this one
has less than a 40% chance of living a safe, happy life.

You could also tell people about practices such as tail docking, ear cropping, debarking and declawing. Too many people don't know what's involved in each of these practices enough to make informed choices. For example, many people think of declawing as being comparable to cutting your nails. In fact, it's amputation and it's painful. In many countries declawing is either illegal, or considered extremely inhumane and done only due to extreme circumstances or for medical reasons. Here are some very informative sites. Declawing: What You Need to Know  by Veterinarian, Dr. Christianne Schelling. See the World Small Animal Veterinary Association's Tail Docking Position Statement. In Defense of Animals offers an article, Cosmetic Surgery Facts, by Jean Hofve, DVM, Animal Protection Institute, which gives thought provoking facts about tail docking, ear cropping, debarking and declawing.

By exploring responsible sites on the internet you can quickly become fully informed on any animal welfare issue you choose to champion.

Many animals are adopted by people who don't really know how to care for them. Most people can recall owning a rabbit when they were a kid, or knowing someone who had a rabbit. Yet few people are aware of how much these animals can be family members rather than living out their lives in a hutch in the back yard. Surf the web for information on any kind of pet. You'll find sites that describe housing and dietary needs, social needs, and how to bond with them. You are sure to be amazed by some tidbit of information you never knew before. To find out more about the complex world of rabbits, check out the  House Rabbit Society and  HopperHome.

LEND A HELPING HAND

There's probably a shelter within a few miles of your home that would be thrilled to have you volunteer for them. No matter what your skills are, there's something you can do to help the animals, and a shelter or rescue group is where the work is centered. At Katie's Place we always need help with Foster animals enjoy some perks that shelter animals don't have -- like TV!

Volunteers are a close knit group bonded by their love for the animals. You will gain immensely from volunteering in two ways: first, you'll make lifelong friends among the other volunteers, and second (but not least), you'll meet some small souls who will enrich your life beyond measure and you'll share the enormous satisfaction of saving their lives. Nothing compares to seeing a thin, cowering, traumatized animal become a healthy, affectionate animal who eventually goes to a good home.


A Katie's Place resident volunteers
to help the Volunteer sweep.

DONATION PROGRAMS

If you are unable to volunteer but you'd like to help out somehow, there are other ways to contribute...

When you see our donation can on a cashier's counter, the Save-On-Foods receipts and Canadian Tire money could be left in these cans. Changes Recycling will also accept receipts. You can also drop receipts and certificates off at the shelter when you visit or mail them in. We're very grateful for these contributions as they go a long way to keeping the shelter stocked with food, litter and cleaning supplies.

We can also receive donations through the United Way. Donors can do payroll deduction or a lump sum. In the United Way workplace campaigns, there is a space at the bottom of the donation form in which to designate the charity of your choice. If Katie's Place is your choice, write in our official name, Katie's Place Domestic Animal Resource and Education Society, and our registration number, 86250 6037 RR0001. The registration number is key as there are many charities and the United Way only deals with those that have Revenue Canada registration.

People's caring and ingenuity continue to delight us. One office group found a wonderful way to raise money and sent us their donation with a note:
"A few of us implemented a "Swear Fund" in our office and if someone was caught swearing, they had to put 10 cents into the fund. The "Swear Fund" soon became the "Cat Fund". Judging by the amount we raised at 10 cents a pop, we swear a bit too much around here! But all for a good cause! The participants of the fund are huge animal lovers and are proud to say that we all own more than one adopted pet."
We are so pleased to have benefited from the kindness of these animal lovers who happen to be inclined to strong language. Long may they turn the air blue!

NB - Katie's Place does not solicit donations door to door.

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