Commit to Helping Animals

By Andrea Ely

Do you have commitment issues? 

Now might be the time for you to commit and adopt a pet.

Pet ownership is a pretty big deal these days. A pet can take your time and money, your home and yard–and sometimes your socks. Yet the benefits of having a pet that you or your family can love truly outweigh the responsibilities that come with them.

It has brought our family some seriously amazing moments. Like the time my three children and three dogs (one a foster) played tag in our backyard.  It looked like absolute chaos; tongues hanging out of their mouth, giant smiles from ear to ear, and little feet pattering about.  My husband turned to me and said “You know this is your fault, right?”  I replied, “Every bit of it.”

If you have ever wanted to adopt a pet, now is the time.  Our very own Humane Society of Central Washington has been shaking things up in this city.  Recently voted number one in the ASPCA 100k Rachel Ray Challenge is just the beginning.  Their newest goal:  To save twice as many lives between August 1 and October 31 of this year as they did in the same months last year.

Any animal that leaves the shelter through adoption, alternative placements and return-to-owner are counted as “lives saved” in the Challenge.  To qualify for any of the grant monies the shelter must save at least 300 more lives than they did in the same months last year.  The shelter that has the largest increase in lives saved wins the $100k to use for their shelter.  These funds could be used to help build a low-cost local spay and neuter clinic in our community.  If you adopt now, not only do you gain a new family member – you can help clear our streets of strays and prevent unnecessary litters.  Commitment may just be in your near future.

Maybe your focus should not be on “commitment,” but rather on “community.” If you cannot adopt, you can still help out – our shelter is always looking for volunteers.  You can be a part of the amazing work they are doing.  They even have a list of shelter items that help keep the animals safe and healthy. You could foster a cat or dog that needs extra love before finding their forever home. It might be that you just need to get your own pet spayed or neutered.  The opportunities to support their life-saving work are endless.

Whatever you decide, our community depends on our commitment to it. Take the leap – don’t fear your commitment issues and I guarantee you won’t regret it.

 

For more information go online to www.yakimahumane.org or contact Madeline Wooten at 509-457-6854 or by email at volunteer@yakimahumane.org

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