Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Delivering a Mother’s Comfort – Part 2


It can be tough to provide comfort and help to the animals that may need it most. While there are many that need our love and care, those with behavior problems or ailments pose a particular challenge. They may not be readily adoptable, but they shouldn’t be ignored.

Helen Shen learned this recently with us. “I was one of the volunteers for Rational Animal's Mother's Comfort Program Part 2,” she wrote to us recently, “delivering beds and toys to dogs and cats at the Animal Care & Control of Manhattan.” This wasn’t Helen’s first visit, but on previous occasions, she stayed with the dogs that had higher hopes for adoption.

The Mother’s Comfort Program consists of two parts. Before the phase in which Helen participated came Part 1, in which volunteers donated time and effort sewing beds and toys. They were distributed to the animals in the second phase of this effort.

Noting the chaotic environment, not to mention her personal concerns about dogs with particularly stressful histories, Helen explained that she was reluctant to reach out to these animals. Later in the day, however, she realized that, even though these dogs were a bit more challenging, they still needed “the same kind of comfort that other more docile dogs were given.”

She continued:

“I can only imagine that they have never received that type of comfort and wondered if they were like humans deprived of a mother's love. In another ward, there was a dog that was so hyper and stressed from being in a cage that he bit his tail. I stood there helpless without knowing how to calm him. I could only alert the shelter's staff to his injury. It is really heartbreaking to see these animals in such an anxious and frightened state. From my understanding, animals learn the behavior they exhibit and can only get better through steady training which they will never receive due to the shortage of resources. Ultimately, I knew that these dogs would be euthanized.”

Helen stepped forward into an extremely emotional environment, and she quickly made a difference. Every animal that is abandoned presents a new tragedy for us. It’s easier to help some, but they all need our attention.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Get your Tickets Now for the 2nd Annual Friends of Animal Rescue Boat Cruise!

The second annual boat cruise to benefit the Friends of Animal Rescue is coming up … so get ready for a great night for a good cause. As we sail along the Hudson on a private yacht, we’ll know that our pure enjoyment will also help animals in need, making a fun evening out even better!

This year’s silent auction on the cruise is packed with incredible lots. Dinner at Rao’s, a weekend in North Fork, artisan jewelry and wines by the case will all go under the silent gavel. Rational Animal is contributing artwork: a jumbo 3D “New York Is” piece by Charles Fazzino.

Ticket cost only $100 (where can you have fun for that little in Manhattan, right?) and include all food and beverage for the three-hour event. The boat will remain docked until 9 PM at The Water Club, on E. 30th Street and the East River, at which point it will get under way.

For tickets, visit www.foar.org (Events tab)

See you on board!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Celebrating National Pigeon Day

The pigeon certainly isn’t the most popular of natural creatures, especially here in New York. Woody Allen referred to them as “flying rats,” and these living beings suffer regular abuse, including trapping, poisoning and simply being chased and kicked. Take a second to remember that these are animals; they live and feel pain … and they endure all the city throws at them with a certain amount of grace.

So, let’s look back on National Pigeon Day and remember that we share the streets and the skies with these birds – and that they deserve respect.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

June 18th Fundraiser for NYC AC&C / Rational Animal donating advocacy merch for event

Rational Animal will provide Trails to Tails maps and Orange Ribbon for Animals merchandise at AC&C Fundraiser, June 18th
Contact sbrandt@rational-animal.org if you want to help us give out our Trails to Tails and Orange Ribbon for Animals merchandise.
Full details at TastingNYC - click here.

Date: Friday, June 18, 2010
Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: BLVD, 199 Bowery (btwn Spring St. and Rivington)

Drink Special: $5 Bud/Bud Lights and $5 wine!
Admission: FREE!
BLVD is dog-friendly!

The event is co-hosted by one of the top names in New York radio, Maria Milito of Q104.3. C
heck out Maria's blog.