Recently I discovered BlogPaws - an online gathering place for pet bloggers. They hosted a pet blogger conference earlier this month, and one of the things that came out of the conference was the Be The Change challenge. Basically it encourages pet bloggers and readers all over the world to get involved in making the world better for animals. I love the idea and really want to participate. Of course I'm pretty busy with fostering/adoption events/volunteering, so I've come up with this handy questionnaire to help you identify ways that you can help instead. Aren't you glad you read my blog? I hope you see something on this list that you are willing to try, or that you come up with your own ideas and find a way to Be The Change.
1. Are you bored? Foster a homeless animal.
2. Are you needing more exercise? Volunteer to walk shelter dogs.
3. Are you lonely? Spend some time petting a shelter cat.
4. Are you obsessively neat? Clean cat cages at shelter/adoption center.
5. Are you a good photographer? Offer to take pictures of pets waiting for adoption.
6. Do you want to be a dog trainer? Work with shelter dogs to provide basic training.
7. Are you good with people? Offer to answer phones/return calls for shelter/rescue group.
8. Do you like to shop? Check out your local shelter/rescue group's wish list and purchase supplies to donate.
9. Do you like to eat? Provide dog/cat food to area shelters/rescues/food banks.
10. Are you outgoing? Assist your local rescue group with fundraisers.
11. Do you like money? Assist your local rescue group with grant writing.
12. Are you bored only on weekends? Assist your local rescue group with off-site adoption events.
13. Are you ready to add a new pet to your household? Adopt from a rescue or shelter.
14. Are you good at creating websites? Contact your local rescue groups to see if they need assistance.
15. Do you have a job? Skip a week of eating out and donate the money you save to an area rescue/shelter.
Okay, I just checked my checklist and realize I totally failed. I am currently doing numbers 1, 5, 10, 11, 12 and 14. But if my questionnaire was accurate, instead I should be doing numbers 2, 3, 6, 9 and 15. WOW - I am not doing anything I should be, and I'm doing a bunch of things I shouldn't be. Or else my questionnaire is a total failure. Oh well. Please share your ideas on which numbers on the checklist you like, and any other ideas you have to Be The Change!
14 comments:
This is a most great checklist. Mum wanted to volunteer at our local Humane Society but they said they didn't needs her. Who doesn't want free help? So, we just do what we can by donating money and supplies. Oh and when you volunteer there, you can'ts be near da animals. So wrong!
Puddles
I've thought about getting a VERY part time job, and donating the money to animals in some way or another.
This is a great checklist! We're a foster home for FBRN. We just haven't gotten a foster yet. We have to be careful who becomes a house guest because Betty has a seizure disorder. Otherwise, we can't wait!
Shannon and the Gang
What a wonderful list.
I foster two older cats who are in ill health so lots of going back and forth to the vet's.I have decided I will always foster two older cats who aren't doing well at the SPCA.Here, in Canada,(or at least with the organization I foster with),we pay for food, litter,toys,beds and with five animals of my own, it can get costly-otherwise I would foster more.Fostering has brought me so much joy and it beats sitting around watching inane t.v. in the evenings!
i like your list a lot, miss dog foster mom!! my mama can definitely do some of these thingies, and she should more often!!
*woof*
the booker man
We do fundraisers, home visits, and meet & greets, --- we are bored only on the weekends, BOL.
woof - Tucker
Great list! Thanks!
Yes, but you are amazing!!!
Oh, I really like this list. There are some things I wish I could do but feel restrained with space and work constraints, but this has a lot of good ideas I could still do. Thanks for the ideas!!
Great list. Can I make a humble suggestion?
After reading this blog, I'd rephrase #1 to read "Are you bored? And a little crazy? (but in a good way)
On a more serious note, I'd also add to "Are you good with people" provide support, referrals, and help to neighbors and friends whose pets are driving them nuts--so fewer dogs end up in the shelter to begin with.
That is a pawesome list!
I hope you had a great weekend!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
That is a good list with a lot of ideas. Grammy says we can't do any of those except we can be nice when we DO have a foster dog visiting with us.
The Country Corgis
Here's a post about what OREO & I are doing to help shelter dogs in Missouri.
Read this post:
http://showmestatedogs.blogspot.com/2010/04/global-animal-blogging-event.html
It's OREO's Birthday Wish to give toys to homeless furry friends!!!
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