By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 May 2016 07:28:40 +0000

Every year, approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter U.S. shelters; of these, 3.9 million are dogs. Roughly 35% are adopted, while another 26% are reunited with their families. The remaining 26% are killed, usually for lack of homes.* This translates to a staggering 1.2 million dogs (not to mention 1.4 million cats) per year.**Given the overwhelming scope of the problem, animal shelters and welfare groups have gotten pretty darn creative in their rescue efforts – aimed at both placing animals in homes, as well as preventing them from entering the system to begin with. For example, some groups offer grants to low-income pet owners who are facing unexpected veterinary bills. Others provide free or low-cost checkups and spay/neuter services to those in need.Nonprofits that focus on humans have gotten into the act as well. With an increasing awareness of the link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence comes programs that cater to both human and nonhuman victims. For instance, domestic violence shelters are starting to open their doors to the companion animals of their human clients, as a sizable percentage survivors refuse to leave their furry friends behind.(I volunteer as a foster home for one of two such groups in the Kansas City area, and it’s extremely rewarding. In particular, I find it easier to foster dogs who already have homes. Don’t get me wrong, I still fall in love with them, but at least I know I have to give them back. Otherwise I’m likely to adopt myself out of fostering in no time flat. Anyway, I cannot recommend it enough.)In a similar vein, there also exist programs that place the companion animals of deployed and injured/recovering service members in foster homes (usually for three months up to a year or more). Ditto: regular civilians facing unexpected hospital stays. Other groups advocate for service members’ rights (such as fighting breed bans on military bases) and provide financial services when needed. Initiatives like these help keep beloved companions out of the shelter system, free up kennel space for truly homeless or unwanted animals – and keep families together in the long term. It’s a win-win. (For more information, start with Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet, PACT for Animals, and Dogs On Deployment.)With the advent of the Internet, online profiles have become an important tool for animal shelters and rescue groups. An entertaining, informative profile – on Petfinder, Adopt a Pet, and/or the group’s own website – is a must. Bonus points if you can include one or more professional photographs that highlight the animal’s unique personality. (Some dogs even star in their own videos or have Facebook pages or Instagram and Twitter accounts!) Luckily, photographers like Guinnevere Shuster are stepping up to help. Whether volunteering their talents to local shelters, matching their colleagues up with rescues in need, or raising the money to buy photography equipment for open-admission shelters (see, e.g., The Perfect Exposure Project), photographers have so much to offer. (So if you are one, please think about volunteering? Pretty pretty please?)Guinnevere Shuster began photographing adoptable animals her junior year of college; to date, she’s had more than 6,000 models. The dogs found in SHELTER DOGS IN A PHOTO BOOTH all called the Humane Society of Utah (HSU) home, if only for a short time. They were picked up as strays; surrendered by owners who didn’t have the time or money to care for them; given the boot by their family’s landlords; rescued from a life on a chain; displaced by a death in the family and grieving their humans; or transferred in from other shelters. HSU is an open-admission shelter that doesn’t limit the length of time an animal can remain in the program.The book features four photo booth-style pictures of 105 dogs; each set is accompanied by a brief paragraph about the subject. At the end of the book, we’re treated to “where are they now?” follow-ups on 17 of the lucky pups. All of the photos were taken in 2015, mostly in the latter half of the year. All but one of the dogs has been adopted; Willow is still in foster care, being treated for mange.With the help of peanut butter, Beggin’ Strips (a few of the dogs appear in IG ads for the treats), and a whole lotta patience and goofiness, Shuster’s photos are at turns silly, serious, playful, and soulful – but always stunningly gorgeous. It’s hard to pick a favorite, though it seems only fair that cover dog Buzz should be taken out of the running. (He did already land the cover, you know?)Personally, I’m partial to Wallace; not only do I have a thing for tripods, but his missing eye reminds me of my late dachshund, Ralphie. Tater Tot gets an…

By: Melissa Martin's Reading List Blog

Melissa Martin's Reading List Blog — Mon, 30 May 2016 07:24:38 +0000

Love These Doggers! ♥

Comments on: Shelter Dogs in a Photo Booth

By: Anonymous

By: Melissa Martin's Reading List Blog