The NAPRP Blog

Nov 28

Written by: NAPRP Admin
11/28/2008 4:53 AM

This week, I talked to Samantha Westbrook from the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter about a pit bull named Bear who is available for adoption. Afterward, I spent some time looking around the LA Animal Services Web Site.

I read an interesting PDF from the General Manager Ed Boks called "Implementing the No-Kill Equation," which describes all the things they are doing in Los Angles to create "A Humane LA." It's impressive, partly because of the sheer magnitude of dealing with animal problems in a city of that size. My experience is with much smaller shelters, but I saw how the ideas could be used at shelters of any size.

I've heard many people who work for rescue groups say that their situation is "different" than it is for other shelters. Those in poor rural areas like mine say, "Oh it's easier if you live in a city because people have more money and it's easier to get donations." Or someone located in a city says, "it's easier if you live in the country because there are fewer animals to deal with." But the reality is that you make your own luck. People at shelters and rescues who work together with other organizations, and who regularly try new things, tend to have the most success.

At Thanksgiving I'm thankful that there are people out there like Ed Boks and all of you that are working toward a more humane world where every pet has a home. Kudos to you all!

I hope you all give your own pets a big fuzzy hug, tell them how much you love them, and enjoy a great holiday ;-)

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