Defending animals since 1988
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Dear Paws Cause Member:
The holiday season is here, and even in these tough economic times, we are grateful for so much--for our wonderful volunteers and staff members, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty to help animals in need, and for you, our most caring contributors, who've made the 'impossible' possible--our difficult recovery since Katrina. And last, but certainly not least, we are thankful for the amazing animals we've had the pleasure to rescue, defend and care for this year. By touching our lives and our hearts--with their innocence, loyalty, and love--they are a constant reminder of the season's spirit of compassion and kindness. Thank you for being a guardian angel to them and for bringing light, hope and healing into their lives--not just during this special season, but all year long. On behalf of all of us at HSL, we wish you and yours the very happiest of holidays.
Homes for the Holidays! Recent Adoption Success Stories....
We're pleased to report that we're currently carrying out back-to-back adoption transports to Maine and New Hampshire, ensuring that many new tails will be joyfully wagging in new homes this holiday season! Our first November transport brought 20 puppies to the East Coast, where adopters had lined up to greet them. Rudy, pictured above, was one of the first adoptees. That success made another quick return possible-thanks to our tireless Animal Services Director, Johnna Harris, and HSL volunteer, Jennifer Rowan, who has been living on site in Tylertown and volunteering since Hurricane Gustav. What a trooper! Our adoption transport program is such a great service, in that it not only matches loving pets with wonderful people, but it creates a 'win win' situation for shelters in communities with different animal protection needs. In the northern shelters, dog overpopulation isn't prevalent, so our pooches aren't competing for homes with other needy animals. Also, when we take animals out of the Deep South, where attitudes towards animal protection have historically been less progressive, we create additional opportunities for homeless shelter dogs here in Louisiana--where competition is fierce for a limited number of homes and euthanasia at public animal shelters is a grim reality.
One group of puppies, who will be taking the next trip up with us, for example, were spared by the caring workers at St. John Animal Shelter, along with volunteers and donors who rallied and contacted HSL to save their lives. Had the newborn pups and their homeless Mom been brought in to the shelter, where the facility was experiencing a deadly outbreak of parvo, it would have meant certain death for them. One of the great things about our next transport is that, in addition to puppies, we will be able to bring more of our adult dogs, many of whom have been waiting for homes for a very long time. Ruby, pictured below, was rescued along with her puppies--who were placed in homes more than a year ago. She will be making the next journey! When Ruby arrived at our facility, she had surgery to remove her severely injured eye and underwent heartworm treatment. Knowing that Ruby and other deserving dogs will finally have homes can make all of our holidays brighter.
A Story from Jeff Dorson, HSL Executive Director and Founder: This lucky, homeless pup was in the right place at the right time, when he showed up
for the first HSL meeting in Richland parish. This little guy, pictured with some of
our new chapter volunteers, was the first official rescue of our new volunteer group.
Best of luck and special thanks to our new colleagues in Mangham!Here is a little story that is fitting for this time of year. Several months ago, I received a call from a husband and wife, who live in the village of Mangham, in Richland Parish. There is no animal shelter or services for animals in the parish. The couple told me that they belong to the Union Methodist Church and that their congregation would like to form a group to help the stray and abused animals in their area. I agreed to help them start a chapter. We arranged to have a meeting on November 18th, at the Mangham Community Center.
I had my doubts about the success of the meeting, but I still resolved to drive the 5 1/2 hours to attend.
I expected four to five people. But just like out of a Dr. Seuss book, it seemed like the entire village of Whoville wanted to attend this meeting at the Mangham Community Center. One by one, they streamed in. There was a city council member, the clerk of court, the sheriff, a former major from the State Police, whom I had met years ago, the state representative--25 people in all.
One by one, they all stood up and said how much they cared. All of them wanted to help, they said. Even the sheriff said he didn't know what could be done. He admitted that in all his 20 years of law enforcement, he couldn't remember a single conviction for animal abuse. "It just isn't done around here," he said. Then, I said, "How many of you would be willing to help the sheriff, if an animal were being abused?" Every hand went up.
"OK then," I said, "the next time a call comes in when an animal needs help, we will start the wheels turning. But to do this right, we have to raise some funds. How many of you will join our group tonight?" I asked.
Soon everyone was foraging in their pockets--dollar bills, quarters, IOUs. They all made their way up to the front of the room. I began to count the small pile of money, and there was a hush in the room, as we calculated and recounted.
"Ladies and Gentleman, your little chapter has raised $400.00 during the last twenty minutes," I announced.
"Why, that is more than I made last month!" someone said from the crowd."
And a mighty roar could be heard from that little community center in Mangham, Louisiana.
Happy Holidays, Everyone!!
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| Contact Us |
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P.O. Box 740321
New Orleans, Louisiana 70174
info@humanela.org
1-888-6-HUMANE
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On behalf of all the animals in our care,
thank you for your continuing support!
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