Introduction to Homeless Animals Wake County animal shelters are extremely overcrowded which leads to the countless deaths of these animals everyday.These animals are being sent to these shelters so often that other animals have to be euthanized to allow space for new animals. There are many organizations that are trying to start their own shelters that are “no kill” shelters but these organizations need a lot of funding. The largest “no kill” organization in Wake County is the SPCA (http://spcawc.convio.net/site/PageServer). This issue interests everyone in our group because we all have pets and we know how much one of these animals could mean to a family. A lot of people don't realize how severe this issue is and how many animals are getting euthanized. If this information gets out I believe people will reconsider adopting a pet because they will be saving it's life. “Across the US 1 out of every 10 pets find a permanent home” (Mosby Foundation 2015), everyone in our community needs to help out and raise the percentage of animals that have permanent homes. The Issue In 2010, the Wake County ASPCA had more than 4,000 incoming animals. They also had more than more than than 4,000 outgoing animals, however, more than 800 animals were euthanized, more than 100 were transferred, and 100 more died. (Guidestar.org 2010) This means that around ¼ of the animals in that shelter didn't find homes. When you add that to the fact that of the 70 million stray animals in the US, only 6.5 million are adopted by shelters, you realize how little we are helping stray animals. (ASPCA.org 2014) In October 2009, the Wake County Animal Center had over 1,000 dogs in one weekend. While some were adopted, the shelter was filled so much to capacity that almost all pets dropped off were euthanized. The next year, they euthanized about 59% of their animals. In 2012 they euthanized over 700 more.(Indyweek.com 2015) While this issue may seem minor to you, it is life and death to those animals. This has always been an issue in Wake County, and we need to solve it. This is a problem in our community, because it puts life at risk. Even though it may not seem important, because it doesn't really impact you, it is. Each animal killed because there is no room for it has feelings, hopes and they just want to be loved. If we let this problem continue, we could let thousands of pets die for no reason. Also, if we let overcrowding continue, many pet owners might just release a pet they can't take care of into the wild, which is even more dangerous. Current Solutions Despite the major problem, there have been many attempts to fix it. People in the community are making sure that they only adopt animals that they are sure they are fit to take care of. Others serve by fostering the homeless animals in their crowded shelters. Some organizations serve the animals by helping in their own ways. C.A.R.E. For Animals works with responsible, caring foster homes for homeless animals.They also provide pet owner assistance for those needing help taking care of their animals who might lose them because of complications preventing animals in homes from losing their homes. (http://www.careforanimals-nc.org/). The SPCA is a no kill animal shelter. Despite being no kill, they generally aren’t overcrowded. This is because of a low cost in their spay/neuter clinic, people see the no-kill and want to help, a good local government that cares about rehoming the animals, and a good community of people determined to help. The Saving Grace also helps the cause especially people who want to help but only want the “perfect dog.” They are a non-profit organization that hand picks their dogs to be compatible with other dogs and children. They also train the dogs a little as well. This organization is perfect for someone who wants to help but only wants a really good dog or has a family situation only a dog from here could suit. Although these organizations have helped, there is still a need. No-kill shelters have limited space. Other ones, such as the Wake County Animal Care, Control and Adoption Center, have more room because they put animals down. Places like this are the ones mostly in need of help. “Through May 31, according to county records, the shelter had taken in 10,406 animals in 2015, and had euthanized 3,143 of them, just over 30 percent.” (Montgomery 2015). The sad part of this is that is improvement from the weekend in October in 2009 and the years following. This many animals being euthanized with all of the help already being given is why there is still a need in the community. Only you can help. Our Solution As kids there is only so much we can do to help with this problem. We can't build a shelter, or adopt animals. But, we can help organizations that are already protecting these animals. C.A.R.E. for Animals is a non profit volunteer organization. Their mission is “To improve the quality of life of our animal friends by strengthening the bond between humans and animals; ending suffering due to abandonment, abuse, and neglect; and eliminating the need for euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in our shelters.” So, as our community project, we will be donating supplies to them. (C.A.R.E.for Animals-nc.org 2017) Starting on May 15th, we will be collecting toys, beds, bowls, blankets, comforters, collars, leashes, dog crates, cat litter, cat carriers and towels for the C.A.R.E. for Animals organization. We will be collecting the supplies in bins outside the cafeteria. The drive will end at the end of the week on May 19th. We will then use a truck that a parent will volunteer to drive, to transport the supplies to C.A.R.E. for Animals. This is a good idea to help with overcrowding in shelters because everyone can help. If we volunteer one day, some students may be busy, not have transportation or forget about it. If we do a drive, it will happen at Martin during school hours, so everyone can participate. Also, everyone will know about it, since we will advertise it with posters and a video on the news. Our goal for this project is to collect one bin full of supplies from each home room. We will know we have achieved it when every bin from the drive is full. While we cannot wave a magic wand and fix this problem, we hope this will help to solve it action plan (click here) Bibliography "Welcome." C.A.R.E. For Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2017. "SPCA of Wake County." The SPCA of Wake County. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2017. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. "No Room at the Wake County Animal Center." Indy Week. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2017. "SPCA of Wake County FAQ about No-Kill - SPCA of Wake County." SPCA of Wake County FAQ about No-Kill - SPCA of Wake County. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2017. Wral. "NC Shelter Kills 99 Percent of Animals, Records Show." WRAL.com. N.p., 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2017. N.p., 3 Mar. 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. Images Cute Kitten. N.d. Amazingly Cute Kittens. Web. Puppy. N.d. Playbuzz. Web. Redcoon Hound. N.d. Pinterest. Web. Sad Puppy. N.d. Daily Dot. Web.
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