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The Cats and the Economy
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Linda Mercer/Purebred Cat Breed Rescue
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Oct 13, 2008 11:44 PDT
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As cat fanciers, I am sure you know the economic problems and
foreclosures in this country have had a terrible effect on the well
being of purebred cats. In general, sales are down a bit... and I'll
bet many are now carefully planning to space litters and not get
overwhelmed with cats they cannot sell. Gasoline prices are much
higher than a year ago. Show entries are down. Many clubs are hurting.
What you may not have thought of is that purebred rescue is being
deluged with cats from catteries that are closing down or
relinquishing cats to shelters due to the economy. At the same time,
pet owners are turning in their precious animals to shelters in
increasing numbers or just letting them run loose - they find they
now cannot afford the extra costs that owning pets entails or they
find themselves homeless and unable to keep them.
The economy isn't the only factor either. There's the natural
disasters... the flooding in Indiana and Louisiana, the hurricanes in
Louisiana and Texas, for instance, where the shelters have huge
numbers of pets coming in since homes were destroyed or are no longer livable.
We all care about cats, whether from our own breeding or not. Many
of us wouldn't have gotten into the fancy if it weren't for those
special cats that first tugged on our heartstrings. So... what can
you do to help in light of the current situation facing our country
and our hobby?
1. Money, of course, is always appreciated and MUCH NEEDED. We do
realize right now everyone is feeling the pinch of the economic
downturn. So, if that isn't an option, what else? Do any of you have
experience with grant writing? Or are you willing to read up on
grant application writing and help write some grant applications? We
are eligible for several grants, as are many of our affiliates. The
sad reality is we're so overwhelmed that there's little time for us
or others to write up grant applications. Another possibility... is
your club or group willing to do some fundraising at a show - a
raffle or the like? Right now, a few of the situations we are
handling are: Northern California, 102 Persian cats; Yuma, AZ, 15
Scottish Fold cats (originally there were over 50 cats); Pensacola,
FL, 52 Persians; and Maryland, 20-30 shaved down Persians loose in a
park! In the past, we funded much of the initial cost including pull
fees and vetting for our affiliates; but with money tight, we have
been less able to do so. Please help us help them! To donate:
http://purebredcatbreedrescue.org/help.htm#donate
2. If you have time to spend, check with your local shelter and offer
to help out there. They may need assistance with identifying breeds,
grooming, fundraising, transport to and from vet offices, etc. Many
need someone to take pictures or videos and/or to post pictures to
their Petfinder page. If you have a website, are you willing to host
photos on your website with an information link to the corresponding
Petfinder page?
3. Help transport cats to safety. Let me say that many members of the
cat fancy have done the fancy proud by being VERY active in this regard.
3. Talk to your vets and encourage them to offer significant
discounts to rescues.
4. Donate old carriers, cages, etc., to rescue or shelters.
5. Offer to do home visits for local adoption candidates from
rescues or shelters.
6. Brainstorm to come up with on other ways to help local, breed
and/or purebred rescue.
6. And, if nothing else, offer a shoulder to cry on when a rescuer is
overwhelmed.
Times are tough but the cat fancy is creative and versatile...
certainly we can come up with ways to continue to help the cats we love.
In conclusion, please join us in welcoming Dr. Karen Thomas (DVM) to
the PCBR Board of Directors and Mary Christine Sealey as our Special
Needs Coordinator!
Linda
PS - If you receive this email privately and you wish to opt out of
receiving private emails on such subjects, just send an email to:
<<mailto:treas-@purebredcats.org%3Fsubject=Remove>treas-@purebredcats.org?subject=Remove>
Linda Pollack Mercer, M.D.
President & Rescue Coordinator
Purebred Cat Breed Rescue (formerly known as CFA Purebred Rescue,
Inc), a 501c3 charity
Website: http://PurebredCats.org
Director, Operation Noble Foster, http://www.OperationNobleFoster.org
Director, NeuterSpay.org: http://neuterspay.org
Member, TICA Rescue Committee
The Persian Rescue Email list:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Persian_Rescue/ (Moderator)
The Rescue Siamese Email List:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/RescueSiamese (Moderator)
Hotline Phone (rescue emergencies only please): (888) 303-9454 [toll free]
Email: <res-@purebredcats.org>(@purebredcats.org)
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