I’m a firm believer in being a voice, a firm loud voice if need be, for those who cannot defend themselves. In the rescue world you will find some of the most vocal, assertive, opinionated, and loyal people, you’ll ever meet. You’ll also find that we can also be a little crazy :). It comes with the territory. But all those things we have to be. We have to be relentless to see change, to educate, to fight, to carry burdens, and to walk into a kill shelter picking from the lot who we are able to save that day, sometimes crying, as you leave the others behind.
I’m saying this because we believe that laws have to change. Laws needs to be protecting the innocent. Laws need to be in place so that those who don’t have the animal’s best interest at heart, are still made to comply. We see dogs living on a chain outside all it’s life and as long as it has even the most ridiculous excuse for a shelter and a water bowl it’s legal. We here at CVRR do not adopt to anyone who intends on keeping their dog or cat outdoors. Nope. Don’t even apply. Spay and neuter laws need to change. This way REPUTABLE breeders are the only ones that have litters and not just anybody who wants to or anyone who just neglects to get their dog fixed.
So laws need to change. But what do we do until then? We can’t just sit around and wait. No. We unite. We talk. We educate. We foster. We spay and neuter. We volunteer. We adopt. We fight.
Most of all, out of all those things, we EDUCATE. With knowledge comes much power and responsibility. Educate your children. Maybe in 20 years, because of their knowledge, the shelters are empty. I assure you, that because of education, rescue is nothing like it was 20 years ago. Rescue now has a strong voice, strong leaders, and a strong influence.
So I encourage you to educate educate educate. We are not going to change this world by remaining silent, or even whispering. Education equals change.
-Wendolyn
