Action Points To Reach Our Goal Of Shelter Capacity At 20% By 2035

In doing research for my books, I have found that the goal of having a nationwide shelter and rescue capacity at 20% by 2035 can potentially be reached by focusing on several different points. These are:

• ·       Educational programs

o   Books

o   In school programs

o   Webinars and seminars

o   Interactive games

o   Online support

o   Apps

• ·       Provide quality, easily accessible information for potential new owners
• ·       Establish programs nationwide, with more awareness and access by the general public, that  will assist pet owners when they have any type of issue or concern in regards to their pet that may result in them relinquishing it to the shelter or rescue system. These include:

o   Housing

o   Medical expenses

o   Training needs

o   Behavioral issues

o   Teaching the pet owners how to live peacefully and in conjunction with their pet(s)

• ·       Establish animal shelters that are better designed for quality care of the animals living there, and remove the cages and stress that accompanies the current shelters
• ·       Establish city and county shelters that take on a more active role in being available for pet owners and assisting the pet owners before they consider relinquishing their pets. Encourage the shelters to be more proactive in their role as “animal care officers.”
• ·       Establish a nationwide program, with local chapters, that will help assist those pets whose owners may need hospitalization, are moved to a nursing home, or have passed away
• ·      Encourage the human-animal bond and help create more awareness of the unique qualities and rewards of pet ownership and companionship

I have written my four current books with these goals in mind, with each book covering a different aspect of some of the list above. Moving forward, I will continue to write and provide more information, as well as create shareable webinar and seminar materials for those interested in joining with me in this rather ambitious goal. I am also considering creating an online class that will help new pet owners learn more about the considerations that they should look at before they bring home a pet.

Over time, I will either personally write, or locate other authors for, children’s books that can address these particular issues in a friendly and fun way that will help them learn about the commitment and time needed to bring a pet into the family. Other products and services will also be developed over time, all with the main goal of helping to educate the public about responsible pet ownership and keeping the pets in their homes.

A fund will be created after establishing a 501(k) nonprofit organization, where money will be made available for those who are struggling with any of the issues that may come up and will be working in conjunction with those other organizations who are also working in this area.

I welcome those who would like to join me in this endeavor, as this will require many hands and much dedication to reach this goal. I value those who are already in this fight. I respect how they have committed themselves to helping the animals, and hope to possibly offer a different angle that can help lower the number of animals that are entering the shelter system.

I firmly believe that if the points above can be seriously addressed, the number of animals being relinquished or abandoned over time, can and will lessen. While I acknowledge the fight to move them out of the shelters, I believe that more focus on WHY they are entering the system in the first place should seriously be addressed. If that is not addressed, then it will be a never-ending battle. This has been proven where the local animal control has become more proactive in helping their community with pet ownership and offer assistance whenever and wherever possible. Also, where humane education programs have been instituted into the local schools, there has been a drop in shelter numbers.

I believe if we can diligently work on and address the reasons that animals are relinquished and abandoned, we can effectively lower the number of animals entering the shelter and rescue system, as well as those who are being abandoned.

I hope that you will find value in this ambitious dream and join me! I welcome any thoughts or comments at customerservice@itsdoggoneawesome.com