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.