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STK Past & Future
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STK Past Save the Kitties, Inc. was a serendipitous spin-off from the initial and most critical phase of animal rescues during the month after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, leaving many people and animals homeless and in distress. The big difference between the animals and the people whose lives had been turned upside down was that, unlike people, the animals of course could not look out for themselves, as their caretakers were now gone, and many animals had been left locked in homes or chained in backyards – trapped by their well-meaning (if ignorant) caretakers now gone and unable to return. After this Acute phase of the Hurricane Katrina animal disaster, a gradual return to "normal" life was upon many of us. However, little did we know back then, that the enormous "Army of Animal Rescue Effort Volunteers" Katrina recruited brought about the largest animal rescue in history. Many of us networked with each other in this Gulf Coast rescue, organizing and collaborating many times daily via email and phone when the technology allowed -- almost around the clock -- to help each other to better assist the animals caught in this unforgettable tragedy. Ultimately, this AMAZING rally for the animals sent a powerful voice and divine angels to the "suffering" in New Orleans and Mississippi; this voice and the angels remain strong and still evident today; Have no doubt, the Age of the Animal was assuredly wakened on August 29, 2005 with the birth of what we could call the "Gulf Organization for the Welfare of Animals." Save the kitties, Inc. (STK) was also born that fall 2005 by the click of the mouse to send an email which exposed Gi’anna to the animals in need of urgent rescue that were waiting in an over-populated Kill shelter in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia. With that one click of the “send” button, a wave of rescue efforts began and snowballed ever bigger, with efforts focused primarily on the animals in a small and relatively unknown High Kill Gas Shelter. Many lives were changed forever – and not just the animals! We initially were working with only a few dedicated feline compassionates, but were fortunate to discover and gain the assistance of local animal advocates (angels), devoted supporters, Katrina friends, and a GREAT animal control staff, headed by Brent Foster – a true friend of the animals, and our strongest ally in those efforts. With the assistance of all, Spalding County Animal Gas Shelter Kitties were on their way to a second chance. Local Rescue is a struggle at best. But distant rescue -- there are no words to describe how difficult it is. Furthermore, Urgent (animals) means--URGENT as in days to live -- not weeks or months – just DAYS. With the inception of STK, performing this daily rescue operation from a distance took about 18 hours a day, 7 days per week. Trusting relationships needed to be developed immediately as there was NO time to waste with animals facing imminent death in government-funded shelters like Spalding Animal Control (AC) and the like. If not adopted, reclaimed, or rescued, animals in such shelters only have 5-7 days from their arrival before gas euthanasia. Getting the exact list of the urgent animals, finding support fees, obtaining immediate vet services, organizing transport, urgent decisions on sick animals, information alerts, seeking placements, and so on are all URGENT matters. Every second counts, causing high stress and inevitable burnout in such a rescue effort. In hindsight, there was NO return to "normal" life as we knew it (but then, what is "normal" these days?) But despite the great struggle that forever changed all of us and as we forever changed a rural cattery in a once unknown congested high kill gas shelter, this rescue wave, initiated by a click in sending an email, was the most rewarding and purposeful endeavor imaginable. Spalding County Animal Gas Shelter Some Examples of STK Spalding Gas Shelter Rescue Kitties
To all the animals that wait for rescue in the dark shadows of society.... there is hope for change.
STK Present and Future Mission: Presently, Save the Kitties, Inc. still holds strong to the value of direct animal rescue and participates in local efforts. However, STK is moving forward with an increased focus on research, education, lobbying, and marketing to assist in rehabilitating the animal condition. Objectives: 1. To provide rescue assistance, advice, and information. 2. To construct a basis for:
3. To assist in revision of outdated, ineffective policies; informing county residents of issues, needs, resources; and changing negative mentalities, perspectives, and attitudes that prevent the over-all goal of improving animal welfare. 4. To assist shelters in increasing adoptions thus decreasing euthanasia and obtaining needed resources. 5. To assist in developing and implementing collaborative and innovative solutions to both rescue and shelter problems This is "Peanut," an apartment-abandoned pet that sat in the parking lot for 2 weeks waiting for his people to return for him; They never did. Peanut was rescued by STK and placed in a loving home. Happy to report, this gentle giant kitty has become the "apple" of their eye. Please don't dump your pets. Be responsible.
Save A Life and Prevent Unnecessary Euthanasia due to Space Issues!
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