Our latest mailing to supporters tells the story of Taffy, an elderly and blind poodle mix who was tied to our front gate this summer- with shoelaces- and left for us to find on a hot July day. We were so happy to have found him before he broke free of the laces and wandered into the road or before he died or exposure and dehydration.
An unwanted animal who enters a rescue or shelter has had only two ways to leave-they may be lucky enough to be adopted or they may become part of this sad annual statistic: between 3 and 4 million euthanized each year. Many animal welfare groups are working to end this unnecessary extermination of dogs and cats in pounds and shelters. But their focus is on the animals who can be easily placed into new homes . Taffy's photos and story puts a face on the tragic reality that, among this shocking number of animals killed each year, are many dogs and cats who will not find another chance because they are old, disabled, or have a medical condition or behavior challenge.
How can animal welfare hope to save them all and to end the unnecessary deaths of millions of animals each year without the option of third alternative besides adoption or euthanasia? As the numbers of animals needing help diminish with reduced births and enhanced adoption efforts, there will STILL be animals who fall thru the cracks: they are already born yet are not good candidates for adoption. What will become of them?
Taffy is a dog who would have never found a safe landing at a conventional shelter or rescue focused on adoption yet is now safe and happy at Home for Life. The most important mission of Home for Life is to show what's possible -that |animals who want to live and can live deserve that opportunity even if the next chapter of their life can't be in an adoptive home. Our animals know that each phase of life is precious and that a home can be defined in many ways.
All Taffy had was hope when he was tied to our gate- a neglected and blind, unwanted and nameless old dog. But animals, even ones as desperate as Taffy, have the capacity to hope for better days ahead , and inspire us with their ability to live in the present to make the best of all that is good in their lives. |That hope is something that should be cherished and protected in ALL animals and especially in those who are most vulnerable. Home for Life, the third door in animal welfare, offers hope to dogs and cats who otherwise would have none at all.
We can offer HOPE to so many more animals like Taffy with your help. In this season of hope and new life, please remember our most vulnerable animals, like Taffy, who want to live and can live and cling to the hope that YOU will help Home for Life help them.
Read more about Taffy and see additional photos HERE.
Sponsor Taffy or become a monthly sponsor of one of Home for Life's other cats or dogs in need.