Archive for the ‘charity crush’ Category

When I started looking to adopt my first dog from the San Francisco SPCA in April of 2010, I was discussing dog adoption vs. buying a dog with a friend whose dog is an SPCA alum. I knew buying from a pet store was an absolute no but my interest was piqued by a “specialty breed” that was available through a breeder. My friend said to me, “That means there will be one less dog in the shelter that will find a home.” He completely changed my perspective and I’ve made an effort ever since to educate myself — and others who’ll listen — about the importance of animal adoption.

For instance, I’ve learned how staggeringly high euthanasia rates really are and that characteristics like old age, bad teeth or shyness can deem a pet “unadoptable.” I now have two dogs, both of whom were saved by rescue groups and would have otherwise been put to sleep (my SPCA dog was transferred to the SFSPCA from an overcrowded shelter by a rescue group). That breaks my heart. My second dog was adopted from A Leg Up Rescue, my Charity Crush. Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that dogs and cats aren’t the only animals in need out there. There are plenty of other furry, feathered, and scaley friends who could use a helping hand, which is why I chose Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary as my Charity Crush.

Harvest Home is a sanctuary for abused and abandoned domestic and farm animals located in the San Joaquin Valley in California. You’ll find a menagerie of residents, including ducks, pigs, goats, rabbits, horses, and of course, dogs and cats; but the sanctuary’s main efforts are focused on poultry and rabbits (It’s the official sanctuary for House Rabbit Society, based in Richmond, CA). Harvest Home provides life-long care for these animals, but when possible, will also adopt them out to appropriate homes. Most importantly, the sanctuary works to educate people about caring for companion animals and issues about farmed animals, to prevent further abuse and neglect.

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I have been really looking forward to both reading about and posting to our Charity Crush feature. Ever since becoming a contributor for Pawesome I have come to know and appreciate so many amazing and important charities/rehabs/rescues not just in Brooklyn, but all over the United States. I feel proud that Pawesome has chosen to put some of these people and places in the spotlight so our readers have the chance to hopefully feel the same way in learning about these facilities that I know we all do.

So, when it was time for me to select my Crush it was difficult to choose just one. But I wanted our readers to be reminded that while I absolutely support the rescue of all the dogs and cats out there in need, that there are also other animals who require just as much time, attention and who also need and a home. Finding someplace here in New York that could best convey that was my challenge but fortunately it led me right to the doorstep of Sean Casey Animal Rescue and I could not have chosen more wisely.

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When I first moved to Jacksonville nearly six years ago, I lived on the other side of town. On my commute to work every morning I would pass the Jacksonville Humane Society, which is located on Beach Blvd. near a busy intersection. I didn’t think much of it (other than, wow, I wish I had a pup of my very own) until April 7, 2007. That morning as I drove past the building, I smelled smoke. Firetrucks were stationed just inside the gate, blocking my view, so it wasn’t until I got to work that I knew what happened: during the night, a devastating fire had torn through the Jacksonville Humane Society’s facilities. Although firefighters responded quickly and valiantly, the fire claimed the lives of 19 dogs and 67 cats – about half of the animals who were housed there that night.

Later that week, when a fellow employee began a fund drive for the fire recovery, I made my first charitable donation as an adult. In the check’s memo section I wrote “More to come!”

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