Continued victories for animals in 2009

In the past year, numerous animal protection organizations, rescue groups and dedicated individuals have made incredible strides for animals. Below, you can watch a fantastic video from the HSUS that recaps some of these victories.  While the relentless work will continue in 2009 - with challenges to battle horrendous factory farming conditions, end the brutal seal hunt in Canada, shut down puppy mills, rescue animals from disasters, ban ivory trading and countless other missions - there is also the hope of a new administration to help shape policies and pass laws that help protect animals. 

As HSUS president Wayne Pacelle explained recently, "There’s no social safety net for animals. Together, the thousands of local, regional, and national groups have built that system of support for animals, and together, we have to maintain it..."

In 2009, I look forward to continuing my goal of giving a voice to the voiceless and using Humane Mewsings as a forum to educate and inspire. 

Happy Mew Year! ;)

Dewey's story

I just finished reading a fabulous book - "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World." This heartwarming story begins on a frigid January morning in 1988 when Vicki Myron, director of the public library in Spencer, Iowa, finds a trembling, half-frozen orange kitten inside the library's overnight drop box. Myron (and the library) adopt the cat and named him Dewey - after the decimal system - and he ended up impacting the lives of staff, patrons, the community of Spencer, and eventually - people around the globe. 

Not only does Myron tell a beautiful story about how Dewey helped transform the small-town library through his affection, silly habits (and daily hobby of snuggling into laps) - she also weaves in touching details about how Dewey helped her through personal struggles and essentially became a source of pride for Spencer as it reeled from hard economic times during the farming crisis in the late 1980s. 

Dewey's fame spread beyond northwest Iowa - his story appeared in newspapers and magazines around the country and visitors would drive several hours out of their way to meet the lovable tabby. For 19 years, Dewey charmed (almost) everyone who entered the Spencer Public Library, even those who weren't originally cat people. When he died in 2006, his obituary ran in more than 200 newspapers around the world. 

One of the greatest things about "Dewey" is the detail in which Myron describes his "sixth sense" of knowing when people needed him most. When he was first rescued, he wobbled on his frostbitten paws and nudged the staff members as a way of thanking them for saving his life. He constantly curled up with Vicki when her personal life was unraveling and warmed her heart every morning when he waited at the library's glass doors and lifted his paw when she arrived. He also formed a special connection with patrons - especially children.

But perhaps my favorite aspect of the book is the way Myron demonstrates the strength of the bond between humans and companion animals. Often, people don't give cats enough credit. Sure, they tend to be a bit more independent and like to do things on their own terms, but they show their love in the most amazing of ways and I couldn't be happier that a book about a cat is a #1 New York Times bestseller. :) I highly recommend it, of course. 

Pets are victims of the foreclosure crisis, too

Whenever I volunteer at the local humane society, I always browse all of the animals' paperwork on the front of their cages to see where they came from. For the past several months, I have noticed a disheartening trend in their descriptions: the animals have literally been left behind in empty homes and apartments. Most recently it has been cats like Snowman, a beautiful Snowshoe mix, and Wendy, an affectionate white and grey kitty; and an adorable Shepherd mix named Snoop.

This trend extends beyond the Washington DC area and occurs in communities all across the country. As rescue organizations, news outlets - and real estate brokers have noted, animals have become the unwitting victims of the nation's foreclosure crisis.

It's kind of strange to think of the cats and dogs I've seen at the humane society as the lucky ones, but in a way, they are. At least they were brought to the shelter as a last resort - many pets have starved to death in their owners' empty homes, or tied to trees in backyards. A USA Today article described how in most cases, the first people to enter an abandoned home are typically property inspectors and real estate brokers. Many have reported finding animals nearly starved to death - and for some, it was already too late.

While I realize how difficult it must be for homeowners to try and piece their lives back together after their houses are foreclosed and they face eviction, I can't find any justification for leaving a defenseless animal behind, trapped in an empty home. There's just no excuse.

A fantastic story in the San Francisco Chronicle details the impact of the foreclosure on pets - and provides an in-depth look at the longtime sheltering philosophy that lays all blame on irresponsible owners. As people have turned to shelters to bring their animals, they have been met with bitterness and lectures about irresponsibility.

The frustration on the part of animal shelters is understandable -it's true that there are too many irresponsible pet owners out there and in this situation, by the time they call the shelter, many are merely looking for a place to "dump their animals." However, the scolding isn't beneficial to the shelter, the owners - and of course, the pets. The Chronicle story profiled the Nevada Humane Society in Reno, which has taken a proactive, can-do approach to the crisis.

As the article described, the NHS has "made itself a resource for the community, not another source of stress and anxiety for people who need help with pet problems." The NHS works with local press and real estate agents to make sure pet owners facing foreclosure are aware of the resources available to them, offers a free animal help desk, a pet food bank, and a list of more than 500 foster homes. This is definitely a solution that can help everyone - and animal - involved.