A significant problem today is the amount of homeless animals in America. According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are nearly 70 million and counting stray animals in America. Only approximately thirty percent of shelter dogs are reclaimed by their owners, and cats far behind with just two to five percent. For every homeless person, there are about five times the number of homeless animals, says dosomething.org. We think this is a very serious situation, because animals do so much for us even when we don’t realize it.
We think that everyone should care about this issue just as much as we do. Animals are helpful to our environment, and pets also make the best of companions. It’s not fair when an innocent puppy is left out on the curb, with no food or a decent place sleep. Imagine if you were in that position. Your parents left you abused on the side of the road, and you had to fend for yourself with nothing at all. It’s not fair to the animals, and that’s why we believe everyone needs to pitch in and help out. . The Issue The amount of homeless animals is a huge issue that many members of our community. Most are found endlessly roaming alleyways or the sides of the road, while others are fortunate enough to be housed in a pound. However being in a pound is not a sure chance of rescue as many pets are put down because of lack of space. It is estimated that as many as 2.7 million animals are euthanized every year(do something.org). The lack of space is because of the staggering amounts of animals pouring into shelters, or left to fend for themselves on the streets. The overpopulation of animals is partly due to pet owners not knowing or not caring to get their pets spayed or neutered. There are simply too many animals for the shelters to care for. Despite this, people continue to breed puppies and kittens and purchase pets they sometimes end up giving away after they realize how much work it takes to look after a pet. There are several reasons I care and you should care about the issue. For one stray animals can be dangerous or troublesome. Of course it's not always the animals fault, but if a stray animal has been abused, there is a chance they can bite, scratch or attack out of fear or paranoia. Stray animals can also knock over trash cans and steal, in desperate search of food. If animals are off the street and in loving homes, the world is safer place for owners and tamed pets, as well as strays, since they have a safe place to live and won't go cold or hungry. The Solution There are many things people in our community are doing to help stray, homeless or abused animals. One of the ways is donation; giving money or supplies. Many people in Wake County and North Carolina make simple donations to various animal shelters or organizations dedicated to helping animals. Most people do this because it does not require taking in a pet or any difficult long term commitment. Another thing our community does to help, is offer spaying or neutering services. The SPCA provides vouchers that work with local veterinary clinic, to help people get their pets spayed or neutered for cheap or free. Most shelters also spay and neuter the animals that they receive, to help reduce the amount of puppies or kittens born accidently that the owners don't want or can't care for. Education is another important thing our community chips in to provide. The organization C.A.R.E. For Animals provides public education and assistance to help keep pets in homes, to inform the public and homeless animal issues, and how the public can contribute. Some people in our community also foster to help animals. While this is less common and a lot more difficult than donating a few dollars, many places such as Second Chance have foster programs or take in stray animals. This allows for dogs and cats to have time to rehabilitate if injured, and offers them a place to reside permanently or until they are adopted. Therefore, they aren’t euthanized, or put down. Second Chance is one organization dedicated to helping animals. As it says on their website, “Second Chance Pet Adoptions is the oldest no-kill rescue organization in Wake County. At Second Chance, our mission is to champion homeless cats and dogs who are healthy or treatable in the quest to find their forever homes and engage with our community to promote responsible pet ownership–ultimately reducing future generations of homeless animals”(Second Chance) Despite the community's effort and the amount of people helping, homeless animals are still a big issue. We believe the main reason for this is ignorance. Many people know that there are a lot of pets in the streets or being euthanized in shelters. However, they may be unaware of how dogs and cats get there, and end up making decisions that put animals in shelters. A lot of times people purchase a dog or cat for a Christmas or birthday gift, or just through impulsive shopping. As one organization says, “Suggest a basic underlying dynamic: that the decision to acquire an animal was made casually, without much forethought and planning, or that the Guardian had unrealistic expectations about an animal’s needs and how that animal would fit into day to day life”( No Voice Unheard).Many owners are also ignorant or uninformed about spaying and neutering their pets. They don't know to get their animals spayed or neutered and have puppies or kittens they can’t care for. For these reasons despite people helping, animals continue to end up homeless or euthanized, and this is why there is still a need for help in our community. Action Plan When you switch on the television and that commercial with the pitiful dogs comes on, many people just want to reach out and help them. Unfortunately, we are unable to volunteer at a local animal shelter for various reasons beyond our control. Fortunately, however, we have another petit plan to take action. It’s simultaneously simple and effective. The supplies required to execute it are available in school, at no cost. Undoubtedly, it will warm everyone’s hearts to see saddening, struggling animals being aided. In short, we are proposing to hold a donation drive event. We ask that the students of Martin Middle School gather supplies that would benefit homeless dogs and cats. Items such as dog or cat food, collars, leashes, toys, or cash donations would be accepted and greatly appreciated. The donors would then bring their items or money to school, dropping them off at a donation-collecting table placed in one or two locations throughout campus. We decided to put a more interesting and touching twist on the concept of a donation drive, by researching real dogs and cats being housed in local shelters, posting photos of each pet, and allowing for donors to make their donations to those specific pets directly. When each participant brings their item or items to the table, they can choose a dog or cat they find adorable, or one they really connect with. Their donation then goes to support that particular pet of their choice! Steps and materials needed to complete the task include first making and hanging posters for awareness, as well as conversing with the school news crew about mentioning our drive in a short advertisement on their program. Secondly, we look for needy dogs and cats on a local shelter’s website, and print out pictures to showcase at the donation drive. Adding the ability to select a pet to specifically donate to is mostly for entertainment, and doesn't necessarily need to go through if shelters don't allow for direct donations, but pictures will add a flare to it, even if the money and supplies aren't really going to that specific pet. After giving about a week’s notice, we hold the event. A group of volunteering students will help set up a table, and commit to standing and collecting donations. Not too many students would be needed to do this; only about two per shift. The time we leave the donation drive up can vary, based on the time allotted for our project. Our estimate is that we accept donations for one week. Our goal for this plan is to raise $5,000 worth of donations. We hope to achieve this by thorough promotion of the event, and encouragement by teachers and students to contribute. Although our plan is fairly simple, and won't save all homeless animals of America, we strive to make a difference, no matter how small it is. Action plan template Works Cited The Humane Society of the United States. “Pets by the Numbers” The Humane society of the United states. SPCA. “About Us”SPCA of Wake County.26 January 2018 <https://spcawake.org/about-us/> C.A.R.E For Animals “Our Programs”Welcome to C.A.R.E For Animals.26 January 2018 < http://www.careforanimals-nc.org/info/display?PageID=8043> Second Chance. “About Us”Second Chance Pet Adoptions.26 January 2018 <https://www.secondchancenc.org/about-us/> No Voice Unheard “Animal Homelessness 101”No Voice Unheard.26 January 2018 <http://www.novoiceunheard.org/problems_solutions.html> Do Something.org “11 Facts About Animal Homelessness”Do something.org.1 February 2018 < https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-animal-homelessness>
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