It's an important topic for both of us. Speaking for myself, I'm totally done with the small but vocal camp of nasty pet-haters who predictably trot out their "If you care about pets you must hate people" crap every single time anyone writes about sharing so much as a scrap of bread with a dog or cat.
I'm equally fed up with the sanctimony of those who intone that we shouldn't help poor families or the sick, disabled or elderly keep their pets because we're just enabling them to have animals they can't care for. I'm so glad these people, however loud and obnoxious they are, are few in number, because if they ruled the world, it would be full of even more misery and woe than it already is.
Wow, how's that for holiday spirit?
So let's let Dr. Becker have his say, because he's a lot more upbeat than I am:
Dr. Marty Becker, resident veterinarian on "The Dr. Oz Show" and "Good Morning America," as well as my fellow Pet Connection blogger, also wants to make sure pets in shelters don't go wanting this holiday season. He'll be taking gifts and treats to the pets in his local shelters on Dec. 25, and is asking other pet owners to do the same.
"This is the time of year when people often look around for some way to share the blessings they have in their lives," he said. "For animal lovers, helping those pets who don't have what their own pets do -- a loving home -- is a special way to do that."
Of course, there's no better gift for a homeless pet than being adopted. But if you can't give a pet a forever home, consider something less permanent, and volunteer to foster a homeless pet for the holidays.
I can't wrap this up without a word to the people who are right this moment gearing up to unleash the obligatory "How can you care about pets when people are in need?" comments.
Whether you approve or not, this is the reality: There are people who died in the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina rather than leave their pets behind. National disaster programs now routinely include transport and shelter plans for pets displaced by earthquakes, fires and floods, because without them, people don't comply with evacuation orders.
Programs like PAWS and Meals on Wheels began distributing pet food because they found that their clients were sharing their own meals with their pets.
People love their pets, and if a disaster the size of Katrina didn't change that, your disapproval certainly won't. And in addition to loving them, people also benefit from sharing their lives with companion animals.
Becker, author of "The Healing Power of Pets," noted that numerous studies "provide overwhelming evidence that companion animal ownership is linked to less depression, lower blood pressure, improved cardiovascular health, higher IQs, better behavior, fewer allergies and lower incidences of asthma in children, and a host of other health benefits."
He added, "Depriving the elderly, ill, poor families and the homebound of those benefits is not only mean-spirited, it costs society more in providing health services to those people."
You can read the full column here -- it includes a list of both Bay Area and national campaigns to help pets and pet owners facing homelessness, job loss, illness and other challenges. If you need those services, you can find them there, and if you don't -- count your blessings and donate a blanket, sack of pet food or a few bucks to help those who do!
And if you want to hear more about what Dr. Becker has to say on the subject of helping homeless pets during the holidays and throughout the year, please click on over here!
Photo: Two dogs snuggling on a pet bed donated by a caring pet owner through the shelter bed donation program at Kuranda.com.
Thank you so much for expressing the thoughts and sentiments of so many of us. Thank you!
Lynn of A New Hope
Posted by: Lynn Howe | 08 December 2010 at 07:00 PM
I have to say, our company does a food drive every Christmas and we've even progressed to the point that it now includes pet fod for our local Pad for Paws which often is helping some of those same food bank families in need! I was thrilled!
Posted by: S in MT | 08 December 2010 at 07:00 PM
Another rewarding way to help is to volunteer to drive and deliver food for Meals on Wheels or a similar organization. I drive once a week; only takes a few hours and it's tremendously rewarding.
I think of my late grandparents every time I drive!
Posted by: Liz Palika | 08 December 2010 at 07:00 PM