November 18, 2009

We finally received confirmation of our 501 (c) (3) status in October.    I imagine that anyone reading this who managed a non-profit from its inception can understand the feeling of relief, joy and accomplishment.   We are validated!!! 

We have not been especially active with fund raising this year because we were waiting for the 501 (c)(3) approval.   We were present at two events in Houston - the REO SPEEDWAGON/STYX concert at the Woodlands Pavilion where we raised $172 in donations and the Wiener Dog Races at the Sam Houston Raceway Park where we received $78 in donations.    Though our income had diminished lately, we have been able to help with medical expenses for several animals whose difficulties came to our attention through their rescue organizations.  

For my part, I am spending long hours at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter as a volunteer.    I'm fostering kittens that are not strong enough to survive in the shelter environment and I bring home dogs from time to time for a weekend outside of their kennels.    Spending time in the shelter is a workout for the soul but it has brought the plight of homeless animals into a very clear focus for me.     MCAS takes in an average of 2000 animals every month!!!    It hurts my heart every time I see a person coming into the shelter with a box or laundry basket - you just know that the box is full of kittens or puppies - usually sick and/or crawling with fleas.   The pain of seeing those babies come into the by-nature harsh enviroment of a shelter is matched by the anger I feel when I see intact male dogs running loose - usually pit bulls or labrador retrievers.    They breed indiscriminately because their owners are irresponsible about neutering.   Probably 75% of the puppies or stray dogs in the shelter are pit or lab mixes.    I've become pretty much of a b*tch to individuals who come to the shelter to reclaim these dogs that have been picked up by Animal Control.   Doesn't do much good however - they still walk out without making an appointment for neutering.     I could go on and on about this and just get madder and madder..........