I just saw a Law and Order episode where McCoy argued to a court that “man only has the rights it can defend”. If he’s right, then we must bring our companion animals under our umbrella or they will have no rights. This becomes an individual obligation more than a societal one. Municipalities are quickly turning their collective backs to our four legged friends because they know they have no voice. You can’t fight city hall comes to mind, but you can let them know how you feel and you should. Individuals can only support our efforts directly through financial giving, partnering with our initiatives and volunteering at our shelter.
I’ve referred to the Hudson Valley SPCA as a grand experiment and it is that in a very multifaceted way. On one side we are on our way to accomplishing our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and place our animals in sustainable appropriate homes, around 400 since August of 2008. On another side because of that good work we are attracting excellent partners that are volunteering their time and talents to join with us, yet another side is somewhat of a street fight to rescue abused animals and bring those that abuse to justice (I like to call it sentient justice) – as only an SPCA can do. Another side is feeding the financial engine that makes it all possible: public donations, fund raising, lines of business (our thrift shop is now on EBay as well as on site), memberships, sponsorships, major donor programs – it can be exhausting. I told Sharon Keery, now our Executive Director, when we first began that I gave us a 5% chance to still be around in 5 years, but that we would help a lot of animals in that time – I new it was a daunting task we were undertaking. I have revised that outlook with our successes along the last 18 months. If you’re wondering what my current view is, I’d say about 75% – I will always fall on the pessimistic side to keep us sharp and focused on the future and our finances.
Our grand experiment of a high placement rate shelter that rescues and rehabilitates those that others abuse or discard can succeed with a community working together and the HVSPCA acting as a collective venue. The experiment is becoming a success due the hard and relentless commitment of all involved. It is a bit like an embryonic new planet whose gravity is attracting good people that then become part of the whole and further attract more good people.
Please peruse the entire site, my daughter Stefanie is the web master and we are very proud of her efforts.
To clarify, we don’t judge those that surrender their animals, there are times when it is in the best interest of their companion animal. Along with striving for a high placement rate we have an extremely conservative euthanasia policy – only to be used in extreme situations with our animal’s best interest in mind.
