Almost Home will soon be 5 years old. We began through the generosity of many people and the mayor's and commissioners of local municipalities whose animals we care for. I hear people say policitician's don't care about the animals and never do anything for them. I have seen a different picture. When the animals needed a new shelter, the mayor's, commissioner's and county freeholders all came together to see there was a solution for the animals. My promise to them was that I would keep things going for as long as the dogs and cats need us. And of course, they still depend on us. With the economy taking a turn for the worse the dogs and cats have become the silent victims of foreclosures and evictions caused by people losing their jobs. Our intake numbers increase yearly. We will continue to care for them and find forever homes for as long as there are abandoned, homeless and abused animals.
Last year we saw many more injured, hit by car, broken legs and dislocated hips. This year we have seen more dogs who need groooming. People who like the "hypo-allergetic" breeds such as shih tzus, lhasa apso, poodle, yorkie, schnauzer and mixes of these breeds have not been able to afford to take their dogs to the groomer and we have received many dogs who are matted, dirty, have sticks, twigs and wire entangled in their mats and dread locks. When the dogs are allowed to get like this, the mats get tighter and tighter until they begin pulling on the skin. The skin becomes red, irritated and eventually infected if not taken care of. When the hind quarters get like this, all the urine and feces becomes stuck in the coat. Not very pleasant for the dog or the groomer. Almost every dog who requires grooming that came to the shelter this year was in that condition. Many times when the dogs are dirty and matted like that, they become angry and will try and bite because when they move even a little bit the hair pulls on their skin and hurts them. The transformation of personality once they are groomed and bathed is amazing. A whole new happy, friendly, jumpy little dog comes alive. Those are some of the most rewarding experiences. You worry about them when they come in like this and think, who is ever going to adopt this nasty, traumatized dog who is trying to bite everyone. When they leave the shelter with their new family and they are happy,smiling and clean it is the best feeling in the world.
Dogs with Demedex mange have increased too.
I don't even know what to say about cats anymore. Cats come into the shelter and stay for a very long time. We have great cats. They are beautiful and friendly. They are socialized with other cats and would love to be sitting in a sunny window in someone's home. Everyday we receive dozens of calls from people wanting to surrender their cats. There is never enough cage space to take them all. Not even close. And people never have just one cat, they have two or twelve! If they have a cat that is more than a few years old, my heart just breaks. People don't even look at the wonderful adult cats if there is one kitten in the room. A kitten at six months old is looked at as an adult when there is an eight week old kitten in the room. It is just sad. My heart breaks for them.
Okay, I have gotten side tracked from my original reason for writing today. I could talk about the dogs and cats all day. They are wonderful and bring so much to my life everyday. Since losing Melinda, I don't know if I would have been able to go on myself without them. Anyway, we once again need everyone's help. This time in a big way, bigger than ever before!!! I know everyone has been affected by the economy, but we are asking you to dig deep for the animals this year. We have been going through washer and dryers every 5-6 months. Standard washers just don't cut it in an animal shelter. We run the washer and dryer from 8 am to 5 pm seven days a week and until 8 pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Besides food, water and socializatyion, clean towels and blankets is one of the most important things in a shelter environment. Currently, we have no washer. We are waiting for parts to come in to fix the washer that is 5 months old. Luckily still under warranty, but the belt, motor and a couple other parts have to be replaced. Basically all the parts that make the machine work. We can't keep going like this. We need to find a way to invest in an Industrial Dexter Washer. The cost of the washer is $3500 plus $600-700 more for installation. Some different plumbing is needed to handle this washer.
So here is what I need to ask everyone. If you can donate anything towards the washer, we would greatly appreciate it. If you can put together a fundraiser at your school or where you work, we would greatly apprciate it. We have the ideas and even supplies for you to use. "Pack it for the Pups/ Carry it for the Cats" is one program where you hand out a brown paper bag asking your co-workers to bring their lunch from home for a week and donate the money they would have spent on buying lunch to the shelter. The brown paper bag has information in it about the shelter, so they understand how they are helping. You just collect the cash and checks from your co-workers at the end of the week. This would make a great office holiday activity.
If you have any other fundraising ideas or would like to help us with the activities we will be planning, we sure would like your help. Please call me (856) 663-3058, email (almosthomeshelter@comcast.net) or message on Facebook (Almost Home Animal Shelter or Nancy Welsh). We are hoping to plan a "Beef and Beer" Fundraiser for the beginning of the year. I hope with a live band. Will be a great time and do a great service for the dogs and cats. We need the washer as soon as possible. Eventually we will need a similar size dryer, but we can start with the washer.
Also, if you are in the mood to do wash, feel free to swing by the shelter and pick up a bag or two of wash. If you can wash and dry and fold at home and bring it back to us, that would be absolutely wonderful. It is piling up. The staff is taking a bag or two home every night, but it is more than we can handle. I thank you so much for reading my ramblings and hope you will find it in your heart to help so we can continue to care for the dogs and cats who need us. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Tweet This
