Get on the boat or swim....

I just returned last night from the No More Homeless Pets conference with a brain filled with so much information that you can't quite process it all without looking at your notes.  This year the theme was exactly what I needed...Get on the boat or start swimming.

In the era of reaching No More Homeless Pets we are facing too many arguments, disagreements, anger, and frustration not only between what is termed "No-Kill" and "Kill" but within our own rescue groups.  People are losing sight of what we are all here to do - that includes No-Kill and Kill rescues - SAVE MORE ANIMAL lives.

Its so easy for people who don't really know what goes on behind the scenes to want to jump up and yell the loudest, its easy for power seeking people to place judgments on others, and more than anything its those people who think they know how things should be that don't take the time to educate themselves or allow for others to have a say at all.

Rescue work and the no kill movement will exist when we all ban together and stand to make it happen regardless of the beliefs we may or may not have.

Ive been burnt out for the last 6 months, dreading every time the phone rang or the 150th email came in for the day.  Wanting more sleep, and simply to have a life.  I can't tell you the last time I sat down and watched tv or read a book (Something I did ALLOT before starting SHIC).  This work will drain every inch of your soul if you allow it.  This conference gave me some energy back.  This year I was honored to speak again about Rural Sanctuaries as I am the founder and director of Safe Haven of Iowa County http://www.wesavepets.com/ and we serve a county whose entire population is 16,000 people.  After the presentation I was honored to speak with many people who said things like "Your my hero, if you can do it we can too", "You made me cry, so motivational and inspirational", "thank you for sharing and giving us hope".   I felt so lifted by knowing that what we do and what I spoke about made a huge difference for other rescuers.  I could breath a little again...

The conference reminded me to keep taking a deep breath and remember what my job is - to help as many animals as I am able (regardless of negativity, doubters, and EEYORE doubtful kind of people) and to leave some responsibility in the hands of the many families who "have to move and can't take their pet", "have 60 farm cats who keep reproducing", "have a chained dog and wonder why it isn't good with children", "have a pit bull who they can't keep because of BSL", "Have a declawed cat who is peeing all over the house".  Yes we want to reach No More Homeless Pets and it WILL happen in my lifetime but I have a difficult job of trying to keep these pets in their homes through education, education, education...It will even happen in Iowa County Iowa!!!!

This is the year to start educating the public, market our animals harder to get them into homes faster, and above all accept that "I may not like you and you may not like me" and that is perfectly fine BUT we have a job to do and we must work together.  No EEYORES only TIGGERS allowed!

So if you want to see No More Homeless Pets happen its time to get on the boat or start swimming...Whats your choice going to be?   I am on the boat and my name is Rinthea TIGGER Satterlee!

My pack last year...my own and my fosters.  

Rescue me!

I was recently informed that "there is no way you can work 40 hours a week just doing rescue work".  I about fell on the floor and I wasn't sure if I was pissed or just completly shocked.  If you work in rescue and you happen to be the head cheese you ALWAYS work at least 40 hours a week.  People say how can you work a 40 hour a week day job AND work a 40 hour rescue job - WHAT CHOICE DO I HAVE....???

Rescue work never stops.  There is always a family moving who cant take their pit bull, a declawed cat peeing outside of its litter box, a dog contained in a car with no food or water, a litter of newborn kittens who need bottle fed, 12 rescues in need of help placing dogs on a euthanasia list, 3 digruntled volunteers, one board member who is going over the deep edge, 30 volunteers who rely on your constant communicatin to know whats happening, 2 staff to guide and direct, 10 foster homes to try and expand to 20 before winter, a building to raise, records to keep, fundraiser after fundraiser to keep the money coming in, spending nights trying to search for starving dogs, not to mention the 12 dogs and 31 cats I care for at home - most waiting for forever homes.  The list can go on and on and on.

The people who are closest to me KNOW how many hours I put in.  They know how many times the emails beep in, the phone rings, and they know how much time I DONT have to live a life on the weekends.  I work 10-14 hour days on saturday and sunday just trying to get caught up.  I am several days behind on returning calls (the very reason I tell people to email me on my voicemail).

I just simply ask that before someone judges someones time put in that they really ask the questions and consider spending a little time in my shoes - even if it's only for one day....

Really?  5 years into this and I am not worthy of a 40 hour a week title?  Will the bags under my eyes prove it? 

This is how I feel about that!