Please Help ARF

Today, I'm doing something that most rescues never do.
I'm asking you to donate ... to another animal rescue group.
Actually, I'm begging you to.

Animal Rescue Fund of MS (ARF) is in desperate need of donations. They need your help, so I need your help... to help them.

ARF is a wonderful no-kill shelter in Pelahatchie, MS, run by my amazing friend, Pippa Jackson. 

Pippa is my mentor, my inspiration, and my sanity. She's also my best friend. I just love her to pieces.

I write about Pippa often, for obvious reasons. Pippa is more than just an amazing friend and rescuer... she's an incredible human being. She's loving, selfless, and ever-so giving.

Pippa is always there for me... and I mean always.

And trust me... I call her often, about anything and everything. Pippa always helps me, in any way that she can. If nothing else, she listens to me, she allows me to vent, and she says the things I need to hear. And no matter what's going on in my life... Pippa makes it all okay.

Now... Pippa needs my help... and YOUR help.

Pippa doesn't know that I'm writing this. Actually, she's gonna kill me when she sees this post, because she'd never, ever ask me to do this, or allow me to do this. But she needs help, she deserves help, and her dogs need and deserve help, too.

Sure, maybe some of you think that I'm an idiot... for asking others to help another animal rescue group. Maybe you even think that I'm being irresponsible, or neglectful, or reckless toward my own dogs.

But I'm not...

I just care...

Sooo... because I have no money to give to ARF, I'm asking everyone else (who can give) to give to ARF instead.

If you've ever wanted to give to me and my dogs... please, today, right now... give to Pippa and her dogs instead.

If you've ever wanted to help me and my dogs... please, today, right now... help Pippa and her dogs instead.

If you've ever wanted to make a difference... please, today, right now... make a difference for ARF. They deserve this.

Today, I'm writing a selfless plea for my best friend and her shelter. They need you.

Please... I'm begging you. Donate to ARF today. Give them the gift of hope. Give Pippa the strength she needs to go on... as she's done for me so many times before.

$5, $10, $20... these gifts will be life-changing... life-saving... for ARF.

Please share this post, & PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO DONATE TO ARF NOW!
http://arfms.info/DonatetoARF

*To donate via Paypal, visit the ARF website, http://www.arfms.com. Click "Give a dog a bone."

Pippa, please don't be mad at me. You never ask for the help you so desperately need and deserve. This is just my way of returning your many favors. I love you.
-Ash

Their Only Christmas Wish

Christmas is just 3 days away. As many of you prepare to spend the holiday with your loved ones, I'd like to give a voice to my loved ones... to the millions of homeless animals in this country... who may not have anyone to love them this Christmas... if not for you. 

For shelter pets, Christmas is just another day. Obviously, dogs and cats can't understand why this particular day is significant to so many people... because the day itself isn't what's important to them.

Yet... these shelter dogs (and cats) still have needs on Christmas day... and New Year's day... and every other day of the year. To them, there's no such thing as a "holiday." 

While the rest of the world takes a break for the holidays, these animals don't get a "break." Regardless of the time of year... every single pet, in every single animal shelter, still needs food, water, walks, and love... every single day of the year. 

But... if everyone else is busy with family, who takes care of these animals on the holidays?

Well, for the luckiest shelter pets, a special someone offers to sacrifice their own holiday... for them. Someone offers to sacrifice time with their own family... for them. Someone offers to sacrifice their own needs and desires... for them.

Someone... like me.

This someone... is usually the someone... who needs a holiday break more than anyone. This someone is usually the someone... who rarely gets to see their family. This someone is usually the someone... who denies their own needs, over-and-over-and-over again... for others.  

And this someone... the someone who sacrifices so much... is also the someone who never even complains about it...

And because of that someone... the luckiest shelter pets are fed, walked, and loved every single day of the year --including holidays... without question. 

But honestly... those are the lucky dogs...

In many shelters, one person is left to work on holidays-- alone. That someone is expected to do the jobs of many other people... without help. And because that person has no additional help, many of those shelter animals... just have to do without...  

Maybe the shelter is hoping that volunteers will show that day, to lend a helping hand... but in reality, that's rarely the case. Volunteers are usually non-existent on those days...

And so... on holidays, many shelter dogs don't get that much-needed walk. Many shelter dogs don't receive that desperately-desired special attention. On those days... many shelter dogs... don't even get noticed. 

On holidays, many shelter pets wait in a cage. They wait for their favorite volunteer to arrive... to take them for their special walk. But these dogs just can't understand... why no one will come for them today. And so... they wait.

They wait for someone to notice them... an employee, a volunteer, or an adopter. But that day, no one is there for them. They won't get to be special today. And so... they wait.

They wait for the touch of a caring hand. They wait for a comforting smile. They wait... for their chance to smile, too. But those pets must keep waiting... because today is not their day.

As each of you spends time with your families this holiday season... please remember that millions of homeless animals are not so lucky. Please remember that not everyone gets to go home for the holidays. Please remember that not everyone has someone to love them that day.

And please... if you can, use the time with your family this holiday... to volunteer at your local animal shelter. Please approach that over-worked shelter employee... as they work alone on Christmas day... and thank them for sacrificing their holiday for these animals. Please say, "We're here to help you."

And please... take the time to approach each shelter cage... to give love to a dog who didn't expect anyone to care about them that day, and say, "You are not alone. Merry Christmas." 

*If you can't volunteer this holiday season, you can still help! PLEASE DONATE! Any donation at all would make a huge difference for so many deserving animals!

CLICK TO DONATE TO LUCKY DOG RESCUE!

An Inspiring Shelter

I’ve been so inspired by an incredible shelter in Andalusia, Alabama: the Andalusia Animal Shelter. This shelter has one very special mission: to make the facility—and the world—a better place for pets... and they work toward that goal every day.

I recently had the privilege of talking with the amazing Shelter Manager, Christin Ball, about the changes she’s made to their program, including her decision to end the use of gas chambers in their facility. In the state of Alabama, death by gassing is still a legal and highly-used method of euthanasia. But Christin made the noble decision to put an end to the gassing in her shelter, opting for the more humane Euthanasia-by-Injection (EBI) method. In addition, she’s improved shelter life as a whole for the pets, as she tirelessly works to give all pets in her care a chance at life and love. Please read Christin's story. I hope it will inspire you... and renew your faith in shelters...

Christin Ball, Shelter Manager for Andalusia Animal Shelter, describes her shelter experience:

I have been employed with the City of Andalusia/Police Dept. for 7 years now. When I first started, I couldn’t believe the challenge I was taking-on. The shelter was dark, cold, and everybody (including myself) hated coming here. So of course, because I love bright and cheery colors, I first made the decision to liven it up—not just for the people, but it’s really helped the pets as well.

In the beginning, the animals were not given a chance AT ALL. If they were still in the shelter after 7 days, they were automatically gassed. I could NOT believe that this was happening. So I started trying to make small changes that I knew would pay-off one day. I prayed often to God, to give me the strength to come back each day, because I knew He had to put me here for a reason. And soon, I found out what that reason was: to save these poor animals’ lives, promote adoptions, and create a more pleasant environment to encourage more people to come here. I fought long and hard to change the public's perception of the shelter, due to the fact it was given such a bad name over the years. I was able to accomplish that goal, and I was elated to find more support in the form of volunteers and help etc.

So all in all, I have taken on the job of mentor, manager, friend to the animals, EBI tech, and on and on. I have many hats, and love every single one of them. You see, I have to make judgment calls that most would run from, but I make every decision out of my desire to be the best I can be in my field—and most importantly, to be able to look at myself in the mirror every day. While I feel I have accomplished these things, I still have a long way to go!

Why I made the decision to end the gassing in my shelter: When I started here, euthanasia was performed strictly by gas chamber, and I hated it. I had nightmares about it, and literally cried every single time we had to do it. But at the time, that’s all we had.

Then, I was offered a class to become a Euthanasia-by-Injection (EBI) tech, and I couldn't wait to end the gassing. I was sent off to the class, passed with a 98, and was thrilled to come back home to Andalusia from Huntsville with loads of information to share with my employees. I wanted to get us going in that direction right away. But it was no easy task. I had to endure a lot of scrutiny and negative comments, like, "Why waste all that money when what we’ve got is soooo much cheaper and it gets the job done?" That was unacceptable to me. EBI is far more humane for the animals than the gassing method, and as far as the cost aspect, isn't that much more expensive. It was a struggle, but we managed to make the transition with relative ease. I have to say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!!!

Getting critical vet care for our animals: We were once again blessed when Dr.Bush (Veterinarian) moved back from North Carolina to practice here in Andalusia, AL. He has become our knight in shining armor. Dr. Bush has helped the shelter offer new services to our adopters, such as significantly reduced rates for spay/neuter and mobile vet services. His office is a RV, so he can come to us at the shelter anytime and conduct rabies clinics. He's also able to do all of our spays and neuters right from his RV-turned-surgical-suite, along with a host of other things. Dr. Bush is so great! He does all of these things for the "greater good" of the animals… and that’s the only way we do business here!

What drives me to make a difference for the animals each day: For me and the Andalusia Animal Shelter, it’s always about doing better… not merely striving… but grasping, climbing, and reaching to be the absolute best. I refuse to euthanize ANY PET that is adoptable or that can be placed with a rescue for more training or help! I hope to one day be able to offer more services to our community, like puppy training classes and adult dog obedience training… but I’ve not yet been able to find anyone to volunteer that is qualified.

Trust me, I have grand plans for our shelter… it just takes working toward those goals one day at a time, with a solid vision of what you want to become. I am a firm believer that I was put here at Andalusia Animal Shelter because of my great love for all animals and willingness to make the shelter-world a better place for them. That passion is what drives me every day.

*The Andalusia Animal Shelter needs volunteers! They could especially use a qualified volunteer to help with Christin’s dream of providing training classes for the community! If you can help this incredible shelter, here is the contact info:

101 Coliseum Ave, Andalusia, AL 36420

(334) 222-8705

Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:30pm

Christin.ball@andalusiapolice.com

PLEASE LIKE THE ANDALUSIA ANIMAL SHELTER FACEBOOK PAGE!!!

Letter From A Shelter Worker

The following letter was written by a shelter worker. I really wanted to share this note, because it presents the cold, hard reality for shelter pets in America. Everyone needs to read this... Breeders need to read this. People who support breeders by buying pets need to read this. Anyone who has ever given up their pet needs to read this. The world needs to know the truth...

Wisdom of a Shelter Worker, MUST READ

Benny was killed in a shelter earlier this year

I think our society needs a huge wake-up call. As a shelter manager, I'm going to share a little insight with all of you...a view from the inside, if you will.

First off, all of you breeders/sellers should be made to work in the “back” of an animal shelter for just one day. Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don’t even know.

That puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when he or she’s not a cute little puppy anymore. So how would you feel if you knew that there’s a 90 percent chance that this dog will never walk out of the shelter at which he/she will be dumped? Purebred or not! About 50 percent of all of the dogs that are owner surrenders” or “strays” that come into my shelter are purebred dogs.

The most common excuses I hear are; “We are moving and we can’t take our dog (or cat).” Really? Where are you moving to that doesn’t allow pets?

Or maybe they say, “The dog got bigger than we thought it would.” How big did you think a German Shepherd would get?

“We don’t have time for her.” Really? I work a 10 to 12-hour day and still have time for my six dogs!

“She’s tearing up our yard.” How about making her a part of your family inside the house?

They always tell me, “We just don’t want to have to stress about finding a place for her. We know she’ll get adopted. She’s a good dog.”

Odds are your pet won’t get adopted… and how stressful do you think it is for these dogs being in a shelter? Well, let me tell you, your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment you drop him/her off. Sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn’t full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy. If he sniffles, he dies.

Denny was killed in a CA shelter

Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. He will have to relieve himself where he eats and sleeps. He will be depressed and he will cry constantly for the family that abandoned him. If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him/her for a walk. If I don’t, your pet won’t get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of his pen with a high-powered hose. If your dog is big, black or any of the “bully” breeds (pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc.) he was pretty much dead when you walked him through the front door. Those dogs just don’t get adopted. It doesn’t matter how sweet or well behaved they are.

 If your dog doesn’t get adopted within his 72 hours and the shelter is full, he will be destroyed. If the shelter isn’t full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed, he may get a stay of execution-- but not for long. Most dogs get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment.

If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles, chances are he will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed, because shelters just don’t have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment.

Here’s a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being “put-down”:

First, your pet will be taken from his kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk… happy, wagging their tails. Until they get to “The Room.” Every one of them freaks out and puts on the brakes when we get to the door. It must smell like death, or maybe they can feel the sad souls that are left in there. It’s strange, but it happens with every one of them.

Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by one or two vet techs, depending on the size and how freaked out they are. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the “pink stuff.”

Hopefully, your pet doesn’t panic from being restrained and jerk. I’ve seen the needles tear out of a leg, and I’ve been covered with the resulting blood and deafened by the yelps and screams. They don’t all just “go to sleep.” Sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air, and defecate on themselves.

When it all ends, your pet’s corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were killed… waiting to be picked up like garbage. What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You’ll never know, and it probably won’t even cross your mind. It was just an animal, and you can always buy another one, right?

I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can’t get the pictures out of your head. I deal with this every single day on the way home from work.

I hate my job. I hate that it exists, and I hate that it will always be there unless you people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much further than the pets you dump at a shelter.

Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters, and only YOU can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can, but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.

My point to all of this: Don’t breed or buy while shelter pets die!

Hate me if you want to. The truth hurts and reality is what it is. I just hope that maybe I changed one person’s mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog. I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say, “I saw this letter, and it made me want to adopt.” That would make it worth it.

*This letter was written by an unknown shelter worker in the United States. Ashley Owen Hill did not write this letter. Lucky Dog Rescue Blog is sharing this piece for educational purposes.

Consider It Done

I want to share a special rescue story with all of you. This is a story of two friends... coming together to save lives… myself and the amazing Pippa Jackson.

Me & Pippa at Lucky Dog Rescue

A dear friend of mine, Pippa Jackson, runs an incredible no-kill shelter called Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of Mississippi. The 22-acre ARF Farm in Pelahatchie, Mississippi is a safe-haven for 260 animals, who would otherwise have nowhere to go. The amazing team at ARF provides these pets with food, vet care, and shelter until they find their forever homes. But most importantly, the ARF volunteers give much-needed love and attention to these deserving animals. For so many, this is the first time they’ve experienced love in their lives, and ARF shows them what it means to be truly special.

Recently, a disgruntled neighbor started a campaign to shut-down this amazing shelter. Throughout this process, investigators have been visiting the shelter in attempts to close them down. On Friday, one investigator noticed the 6 Pit Bulls on the shelter property. These Pit Bulls came from horrible situations, with no hope for a future, and ARF lovingly took them in. Well, there is a breed ban on Pit Bulls in Rankin County, Mississippi, the county in which the ARF Farm is located. The investigator demanded that ARF remove the Pit Bulls immediately, from the shelter and from the county, or these dogs would be destroyed.

My special friend, Pippa, was already dealing with the heartbreaking reality that her beloved shelter may be unnecessarily and wrongfully shut-down, and now she had to immediately find somewhere for these 6 special dogs to go. It was almost too much for her to bear.

She called me, at a complete loss for what to do, and the sadness and hopelessness in her voice brought me to tears. Pippa is an incredible woman who has dedicated her life to saving animals. She's done nothing wrong in this situation. And yet, she has to justify her right to save lives, while facing a potential shelter closure that will leave 260 animals... homeless.

In addition, these Pit Bulls were suddenly at risk of being immediately destroyed, and they needed out NOW.

She said, “Ashley, I just don’t know what to do.”

So, I said, “Pippa, I’ll take them.”

And with all the amazingness that lives in this woman’s heart.. she said, “No, Ashley. I can’t do that to you.”

I said, “Pippa, you are not worrying about this anymore. You've done nothing to deserve this, and you need help. I will take them. Consider it done.”

Pippa Jackson is a caring woman. A gracious woman. A woman who needs far more help than she receives, and gives far more than she takes. A woman who is extremely thankful for every single act of kindness that comes her way, never failing to show her appreciation…

In her voice, I could hear every bit of gratitude in her soul, when she said, “Thank you, Ashley. Thank you.”



Me & Capone



The next task was getting the dogs from the ARF Farm in Pelahatchie to my rescue in Meridian, Mississippi. Pippa’s husband, Charles, and her friend, Kathryn Meloan, helped make this happen.

And today, 6 very special, deserving Pit Bulls were given another second chance at life with Lucky Dog Rescue. The amazing group at ARF gave them their 1^st second chance, but cruel and unnecessary breed bans left these babies with very little hope... a feeling they know all too well. Safe and happy once again with me, now these 6 babies need to find their forever families. Please help me make that happen for them…



Me & Bonnie. She has a bad leg injury that healed improperly



In reading this, I hope everyone takes away 3 things:

1)When a friend calls you at their lowest low, and they need your help, the very best thing you can do for them is say, “No more worrying. Consider it done.” Often, your friends may not ask you for help when they reach a low so deep... that all seems hopeless… but that’s the time when they need you most. Every time I’ve needed Pippa, she’s been there for me. I'm honored to return the favor.

Pinky & I

  

 2) Breed bans are cruel, unnecessary, and ineffective, and they DO NOT solve the problem. The dogs are NOT the problem… bad owners are the issue. Put these horrible pet owners on death row, NOT the dogs. The matter of Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is very personal for me, because MY CHILD is a Pit Bull. His name is Riley. And no law will ever tell that my little boy is anything less than amazing and deserving of life. Please do not support Breed-Specific Legislation, support stricter animal cruelty laws.

Mimi & I

3) Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of MS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT! If you live in Rankin County, please contact the Board of Supervisors, and tell them that you support ARF and the amazing work they do for the community! Rankin County NEEDS ARF… it’s the only shelter in the county, and without the ARF Farm, these animals would have absolutely nowhere to go! Also, ARF runs on private donations, so they provide a service to the taxpayer, without using tax dollars!

Sissy & I

And if you’d like to adopt a pet from a no-kill shelter in Mississippi, ARF is an amazing organization that comes highly recommended by me and many others. Please visit the ARF website and "Like" the Animal Rescue Fund of MS (ARF) facebook page.







Pippa & I with Mama



Thank you, Pippa, for being someone I can always count on. Thank you for everything you do for so many helpless animals. Thank you for fighting for your right to save more lives, and for never giving up hope. Anytime you ever need me... consider it done.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THESE 6 PIT BULLS!