6 replies to this topic

[Canookie]

We all know by now about the awful story of the six dogs whose owner unexpectedly passed away and left behind her dogs.  I am sure she loved her dogs very much and would be heartbroken to hear how close they came to being killed in a cruel way.  This shows how defenseless dogs can be if left by loving owners who have not thought about what would happen to their dogs should the unforeseen happen.  Please make this be your wake up call - plan now for your dogs in case you can no longer look after them.  So many animal loving people at Lakeside have multiple dogs - what happens if you die?  What happens if you're incapacitated for a long period of time? What happens if you're in a car accident? What happens if you have to suddenly leave?  Please folks, make your plans now for your animals - don't have your precious pets put in a position such as this poor woman's dogs were.

[Encontrado]

Emergencies happen … some are short term and some are “final”.

On Anita’s Animals website there is a section / tab called: Pet Godparents - this has been available for over two years, and written about in the monthly Ojo - Anita’s Animals column, in the past
.
When you click on this Godparent tab, there is a form you can complete on line –
in summary, it allows you to express your wishes as to what care you want provided for your pet,
by who, and what provisions [ financially ] you have made to have this occur.

The second form allows you to provide detailed information [ as much as you want ] regarding the care your pet needs / requires,
so the “new” care giver has this information.

It also suggested that you to attach a photo of your pet to the forms, in the event you have multiple pets –
so the care givers or “rescue person” knows which pet is which , and what animal is being written about and their individual care.

To make it easier for the emergency care giver have easy access to this info, the forms
could be put up on a kitchen cabinet or refrigerator door , so it can be found easily.

Take the time now to do this.. your pet’s lives depend on your planning.

Anita's Animals Sanctuary
www.anitasanimals.com/

[Encontrado]

My mind got a little lazy for a moment when I posted about the Pet Godparents..
this applies to all types of pets, not just dogs.

Cats are in the same circumstances as dogs,
when they have been " left behind" by their owner / parents..
especially those cats that have been declawed, [ toes amputated ]
as they are put at a higher risk - unable to fend for themselves.

[Lake Chapala Dog Center]

One of the things that I woud really like to see happen this year is for the different groups to agree on how much it does cost to shelter a dog. I know that when some people drop off a dog at a shelter, they don't have the money to make a donation. But what about the rest. At least give them a bar to shoot for. And I realize this is not going to be an easy number to arrive at - but I bet a few knowledgeable people could come up with recommendations in an hour or two.

Starting with puppies - they are going to need shots and neutering - as well as food. They usually get adopted within ? a month.

Then the one that are young - 4 months to 1.5 years? 2 years? They may need the same. They usually get adopted within 2? months

Then the ones that are middle aged. They may need the same too - but maybe not neutering. They may never get adopted.

Then there is paid staff and other overhead - all should be factored in

So let me throw out a number - $500 US a year to shelter a dog for one year. Is that too little? too much?

Right now, the community is usually expected to support the dogs that get dropped off at shelters. I think it would be great is there was someplace to deposit money in trust for the dogs welfare and support - so that the dogs support would not stop after your demise. And - it would be great if there was an agreed upon annual figure needed for support - with whatever caveats necessary - so that people would realize that maybe $300 would be in order instead of 200 pesos.

i understand that not everyone can afford to do this. But I also understand that some can.

So yes Canookie - I agree completely. Maybe you would be available to work with the 3 current shelters and one in process - to come up with some agreed upon numbers - so that those that have dogs at least have a target number on how much money should be set aside.

And any suggestions on where that money could be deposited? I would think it should be someplace that the owner could withdraw if they decided to leave the area - but if not, would be dispersed to the shelters that had the dogs - or something like that:)

[NLU]

A plea: PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep them quiet.

There may be no such thing as a bad dog, but we know how many bad owners there are.

[doberwoman]

THanks Encontrado, I will do that immediately for my loved little beasts...God bless you all, animal Lovers...

I really do not know if the following suggestion sound inappropiate or rude, but ...we all lonely animal lovers or lonely pet owners, should let, in our will, some amount of money for the shelter where we think our pet could go if something happens......

Thanks