Updated on May 9, 2010
Speaking for Spot Gives Back
Wonderfully fun names such as “A New Leash on Life,” “Wags to Riches,” and “Fairy Dogmother Rescue,” are to be found at PetFinder.com. This is definitely the place to go in cyberspace when thinking about adopting a new pet. Before I go one step further, rest assured I am aware that the PetFinder site likely features some puppy mills amongst their gazillions of legitimate nonprofit organizations. I’ve no doubt that in spite of the fact that PetFinder performs their due diligence, some puppy mills likely slip through the cracks. In my mind, this does not detract from the profoundly positive outcomes PetFinder facilitates. Rather, it means that we need to perform our own due diligence when using this website.
At the time of this writing, PetFinder features 13,184 nonprofit adoption groups (shelters, humane societies, SPCA’s, and rescue organizations) and over 297,457 pets in need of a new home. PetFinder states that they’ve facilitated more than 13 million adoptions since 1995. Wow, that’s one heck of a lot of animals’ lives changed for the better! I have a tremendous respect for the many thousands of people who invest their time, energy, and financial resources helping animals in need of a new lease on life. Their generosity and desire to “give back” are inspirational. I’ve initiated the Speaking for Spot Gives Back Program with hopes of providing a little bit of support for the amazing work they do.
The Speaking for Spot Gives Back Program is open to all animal-centered nonprofits including service organizations and adoption and rescue groups. Here’s how the program works. Participating organizations appear on a pull down menu on the purchase page of my website (www.speakingforspot.com). When someone purchases Speaking for Spot they can designate which nonprofit organization will receive 20% of the book sale proceeds. The Speaking for Spot Gives Back Program is a win-win situation – not only will participating organizations raise much-needed funds, those who purchase the book will have a wonderful resource that will last a lifetime!
Please support your favorite animal-centered nonprofit organization by encouraging the folks who work there to learn more about the Speaking for Spot Gives Back Program. They can either contact me directly (Dr.Kay@SpeakingforSpot.com) or visit http://www.speakingforspot.com/speakingforspotgivesback.html. And when you are ready to expand your own menagerie, I hope you will begin the search at your local rescue organizations, shelters, and humane societies. Have you already adopted from such an organization? If so, I’d love to hear your story!
Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,
Nancy Kay, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association 2009 Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, 2009 Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, 2009 Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Website: http://www.speakingforspot.com
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook
Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, or your favorite online book seller.
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This comment was sent to me via e-mail and is posted at request of the writer.
Hi Nancy,
We did adopt from our local shelter, it was the American Humane Society up in Erie, PA. We adopted well I should say my family adopted a beautiful boxer lab mixed pup called Shadow.
It was right after I went and trained with Judson my first guide dog and had gone off to college. They wanted a dog in the house again. My dad was part of the K-9 Corps as part of the Air Force and used and trained patrol and sentry dogs.
Shadow was about 7 months old when they adopted him. He was a good looking pup all legs and personality. And he had a few things to learn. We were family number four to adopt him. his shelter name was Yeltson like Borris, smile. First family had the Mom and Dad. Second family adopted this cute black puppy not realizing that the paws and ears indicated this pup was going to grow, and grow. Third family really wanted him, but their son was terribly allergic to dogs they discovered, and then Shadow came to live with us and fit right in.
Shadow lived with our family for 10 years, and we had to send him to the Rainbow Bridge two weeks ago. Over his lifetime, Shadow developed a variety of health problems including strokes, bad hips, arthritis, and skin problems. He also was a unique dog with a lot of love to give, a lot of heart, an example to follow when dealing with a disability Shadow was up the next day attempting to walk after his most noticeable stroke, a zest for the good things in life, warm beds, good food both yours and the neighbors, a sunny spot to lay, a good bone to chew, a chance to bark at the neighbors, a car ride, and chance to sniff, and did I mention food.
I don’t know how to post publically but if you would like you can share this.
I gave a copy of Speaking for Spot to our local Library, the librarians love it.
Shelley L. Rhodes, VRT
and Ludden Black Labrador Guide Dog
The Dogs in Danger website lists dogs slated for euthanasia
http://www.dogsindanger.com/
Hi Dr. Kay,
As a matter of fact I adopted from Shaid Tree Animal Shelter yesterday. His name is Simon and you can see him here.
http://lab-mom.blogspot.com/
While he is still recovering from having his leg amputated two weeks ago he is fitting in well with my pack.
Shelters are the best place to find the perfect pet!
Your Give Back program sounds great..