PAWS FOR THOUGHT

If you are looking for a pet, visit your local animal shelter. It's the best place to find one. You will see some wonderful cats and dogs in every size, age, and color; and each one of them is ready and eager to share a lifetime of love with your family. You will save a furry life by adopting from the shelter and will provide your family with its most loyal and loving member.

Because of pet overpopulation and because there are not enough responsible homes available, thousands of healthy animals must be put to death each year. Needless to say, by the time the animals reach the adoption cages at a shelter, they are facing their one last chance at finding a home. There is so much hope and love in those precious eyes as they search each and every face that passes by their cages. Each animal wants desperately to be chosen for adoption. They don't ask for very much. All they want is food, water, and a little affection; but more than anything else in this world, they want to go home for good with a loving and caring person who will be the light in their lives. Will you please be that special person? Save the life of a shelter animal by adopting one (or two) today!

If you can't adopt an animal, there are quite a few things you can do to help the shelter. Money donations are always welcome, but they can also use donations of animal items such as food, blankets, towels, carriers, leashes, collars, toys, stuffed animals, etc. Some shelters have a "wish list" that you can check to find out what they need most. You can also volunteer your time and a little bit of love to care for some really wonderful animals who have a lot of unconditional love to give and no one to give it to.

You can help the overpopulation problem by having the pets you now own spayed or neutered. You will have a calmer, healthier pet; and the shelters will have fewer animals that have to be killed. Adopt any new pets you want from your local shelter, and tell all your friends and neighbors about the adoption opportunities at the shelter if they are thinking about getting a new pet.

There are thousands of homeless animals right in your own community that desperately need help because they face far too many hardships in their innocent lives. All human beings should be dedicated to ending their needless suffering. It's true that no one person can save them all; but if your actions can make life better for JUST ONE of God's precious critters, your contribution is beyond measure.