Michael Nick’s Post

Today is National Rescue Dog Day. So what is the state of rescue today? In 2023, ~400,000 dogs & cats were killed in our nation's shelters. Including 30% more dogs than in 2022. That increase is both staggering & heartbreaking. And the shelter where I volunteer is at capacity for dogs. Thankfully there are specific things you can do to help save lives: - Adopt don't shop. This is the #1 thing you can do. When you buy from a breeder you perpetuate the cycle that animals are commodities & directly increase the number of animals who end up in shelters (and yes, even expensive breeds end up in shelters). - Spay or neuter your pets. This is the #2 thing you can do. If you're adopting your pet from a rescue or shelter, then you'll be good, since most, if not all, won't adopt out an intact animal. Plus, it's healthier for animals to be fixed 🙂 It's a win-win-win! - Get involved. You can adopt, foster, volunteer, donate, and/or educate others about the issues. Everyone can do something to directly help the animals. Just pick the best fit for your lifestyle! For me, it's volunteering every week at the local shelter. In 2016, 1 million dogs & cats were killed in our nation's shelters, so overall, we've made tremendous progress. Together we can save more lives. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! [Photo from Best Friends Animal Society.] #adoptdontshop #shelterpets #animalwelfare #animalrescue #SaveThemAll #NationalRescueDogDay

Are Black subcontractors worth as much as $18 million for KC Pet Project Animal Care? Here's some information about funding for the Kansas City Campus for Animal Care, also known as the KC Pet Project:  
Construction cost: The total cost to build the KC Pet Project was $26 million, with $18 million coming from the city and $8 million from the private sector. 
• Volunteer contributions: Volunteers have donated over $7.8 million in time to the KC Pet Project. 
Grants: The KC Pet Project has received grants from organizations such as Maddie, which has awarded nearly $250 million in grants for shelter medicine education, foster care, and community lifesaving. 
 The KC Pet Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that operates Kansas City's animal shelter. Zero dollars to Black MBE subcontractors for development in supportive services. Bidding, reading blueprints, accounting etc.. According to the 2016 Kcmo Disparity Report.

Just shy of the six week countdown to the Round the Clock Rescue Run I want to share (for myself at least) an unprecedented work selfie. Yes I am holding puppies in a baby carrier, as I worked flexibly (enormous thank you to Integrion Consulting and BHP for facilitating this) to be able to foster them until they were old enough to be adopted (there was a third running around somewhere in the background too). This unprecedented moment is as a result of unprecedented challenges facing the Dogs’ Refuge Home (DRH), Shenton Park (echoed at animal refuges globally) with: - Unprecedented numbers of surrenders due to the cost of living crisis. Last Sunday the DRH had ~200 dogs in its care and it managed to find the resources to accept an additional 23 puppies from rural Western Australia. - Unprecedented numbers of domestic animals not being sterilised, with unsterilised surrenders at the DRH increasing from ~44% to ~74% in the past five years. Did you know one unsterilised female dog and her unsterilised litters over a period of 6 years can produce 67,000 unplanned puppies! - Unprecedentedly low adoption to surrender rates. The DRH is a no kill shelter and the only way they can help more dogs is through adoptions. One of its beloved residents has been in the DRH’s care for more than 900 days! - Unprecedented operating expenses (as resources are needing to be spread even more thinly), which will need to be filled by the generosity of the community. - Unprecedented (I hope, but sadly I know I might have embellished the uniqueness of this tragedy) animal mistreatment, with puppies and expectant mum’s being left in rubbish bins with no way to escape unless found by strangers or local Rangers. The DRH has responded to circumstances like this twice in the last month! These ‘unprecedented’ factors are just some of the drivers motivating the Round the Clock Rescue Run, as Willie Richards and I try and raise crucial funds for the DRH. If you’re interested in getting involved as a Running Allie or Challenge Champion, please reach out, as ultimately the more legs this challenge grows, the more paws that can be supported 🐾 Follow 👉 @500kmplus @dogsrefugehome Donate now 👉 https://lnkd.in/gZGQsif8

I love animals. As an only child, nature was my sanctuary (still is) and wildlife fascinated me. And my pets were my best friends; I often preferred time with them over people. Nearly everyone at Point of Reference loves animals as well (found my people). I think an organization's people help define its culture. And when possible, the people and their passions should be highlighted, regardless of how "businessy" they may be. We're #peoplebeforeprofessionals, after all. So this year, featured at #CustomerXCon, we're doing a CMA Pros & Pets contest! You don't have to attend the conference to participate, but all photos will be featured and winners selected to win great prizes. Comment here with your photo and pet name(s)! And I will personally make a donation to the winners' animal welfare charities of choice because, well, I'm an animal advocate as well :) #customeradvocacy #customermarketing #customerexperience #customerengagement #customersuccess #animalwelfare

If you need to get to those hard to reach places, remember we have #scaffolding and #ladders available to hire. However, If you see a cat stuck in a tree, don't wait until we reopen tomorrow. Here's what you can do today: Assess the Situation Stay Calm Call for Help - Animal control or animal charities. Offer Assistance: If the cat seems approachable and you feel comfortable doing so, you can try to coax the cat down by offering food or a familiar item, such as a favorite toy or blanket. Provide Support: If the cat is unable to come down on its own, try to provide support and reassurance from the ground. Speak softly to the cat and let it know that help is on the way. Remember to prioritise safety at all times, both for yourself and the cat. Avoid attempting to climb the tree or use makeshift tools to reach the cat, as this can result in injury to both you and the animal. 🐈

📢 🐶𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁: A free disaster relief plan for pets launched today in Florida.🐶📢 Nonprofit animal rescue 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽 and pet collar tech company 𝗙𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 are offering the program, which comes with a smart tag. Owners who sign up get real-time SMS text message alerts during storms with resources for people and pets and a "𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸" before storms. Additionally, they get a free pet tag engraved with the pet's name and unique pet ID number, which links to FidoAlert's nationwide database to help reunite lost pets with their owners. Every member of the alert network within a few miles can get a text alert if a pet goes missing. When someone finds a pet, they can scan the QR code, and the pet parent and emergency contacts will get notified automatically. https://lnkd.in/eSj6Mm7g #DisasterRelief #PetSafety #AnimalRescue #TechForGood #EmergencyPreparedness #PetProtection #DisasterPreparedness #Nonprofit #PetTech #CommunitySupport #PetRescue #EmergencyAlerts #InnovativeTech #PetOwners #SafetyFirst

Adoption is on the rise in Ireland, with an inspiring 62% of pet owners choosing to adopt rescue animals! 🐶🐱 Petmania 2024 Pet Rescue and Adoption Report reveals a growing commitment to animal welfare, but it also sheds light on the challenges still facing rescue centers across the country. From the need for more neutering and microchipping to the struggle to rehome senior pets, there’s so much more we can do to support these incredible organisations. 💖 RTÉ 2FM’s Laura Fox and her rescue dog Thor are leading the charge to raise awareness and inspire even more support for our local rescue centers. "Adopting a rescue pet is truly life-changing," says Laura. Thor has brought so much joy into her life, and now they’re working together to encourage the public to get involved, whether through adoption, volunteering, or donations. 🌟 Did you know that 94% of pet owners are willing to donate to rescue efforts? Every bit of support counts—whether you adopt, foster, donate, or volunteer, you're helping make a real difference in the lives of these animals. #petmania | #animalrescue | #clientspotlight | #harrispr

Puppy/kitten farms are where pet shops and 3rd party sellers often get their "products". If you buy a puppy/kitten and don't see the mother and how they are kept, you are likely unwittingly contributing to the cruelty. SO-CALLED "GOOD" BREEDERS ARE A PART OF THE PROBLEM. Healthy dogs/cats who've been abandoned and/or abused and babies from dogs/cats that weren't neutered/spayed by irresponsible guardians, desperate for a home, are KILLED, as shelters are full of unwanted "surplus" animals. Animals are treated like products, commodities that are bred and sold. People go to breeders and pet shops to buy a certain breed they want. If you love animals, help a poor little fur baby who needs a second chance at a happy life and a forever home. Of course you'll love any animal you'll give a home to, it's not their choice to come from a breeder. But we can choose to stop adding to the demand and be a part of the solution instead. When you give a home to a shelter or rescue dog, it will feel a thousand times better to save this fur baby, than going to a breeder. Knowing your new fur baby has been given a second chance and you've given them the happy life they deserve, will make you happier than buying any particular breed. #adoptdontshop It's like a SILENT ATROCITY, that nobody wants to think about.😞 Until it's government policy and legislation to ADOPT NOT SHOP and spay and neuter, the animal overpopulation problem and animal cruelty will continue. Too many people still consider this a "CONSUMER CHOICE" issue (where instead of a life, an animal is a PRODUCT, a commodity to be BOUGHT), rather than an ANIMAL CRUELTY issue, where we continue BREEDING domestic animals, knowing healthy, animals are PUT DOWN everyday like they are "waste product" because they are passed over for a shiny "new" animal of a designer breed. 😢😔 There is no justification for this. We cannot BUY, whilst healthy animals DIE! #EndTheDemandEndTheCruelty 🙏 #adoptdontshop ❤ #rescueanimals ❤ #fosteranimals ❤ #spayandneuter 👍 #banpuppymills 🤬 #bankittenmills 🤬 #banbreeders 🤬 #banpetshops 🤬 https://lnkd.in/exT6eHWN For anyone who thinks we don't kill shelter animals in the UK, YES WE DO, this happens everywhere: https://lnkd.in/e49e4ycN https://lnkd.in/e9A-kHCt There is no justification, ZERO, for breeding more domesticated companion animals, whilst healthy animals are killed in shelters. We cannot BUY, whilst healthy animals DIE! End the DEMAND, end the CRUELTY. The only solution is to stem the flow and stop breeding more.

The Plight of Stray Dogs: More Than Just Street Pups #HelpTheStrays We see them every day, furry nomads navigating the bustling streets or quiet alleys. Stray dogs are a familiar sight, but have we ever stopped to consider their plight? These aren't just wild animals; they're often lost, abandoned, or born into a life of constant struggle. Their days are filled with challenges: * **Finding food and shelter:** Scraps from overflowing bins hardly constitute a balanced diet, and nights are spent huddled in doorways or under parked cars, offering little protection from the elements. * **Exposure to disease:** Without proper care, strays are susceptible to illnesses and injuries that can be life-threatening. * **Fear and loneliness:** The constant fight for survival leaves them wary and withdrawn. Deep down, however, they crave companionship and affection. The truth is, stray dogs are not the problem, they are the victims. Often, the root cause lies in irresponsible pet ownership - abandoned animals or uncontrolled breeding contribute to the overpopulation of strays. So, what can we do? * **Support local shelters:** Shelters provide food, medical care, and a safe haven for strays. Donations, volunteering, or even fostering can make a huge difference. * **Spay and neuter your pets:** This is crucial to controlling the stray population. * **Be a responsible pet owner:** Never abandon your pet and ensure they are properly licensed and microchipped. * **Show compassion:** A kind word, a bowl of water, or a gentle touch can make a world of difference to a stray dog's life. Let's not turn a blind eye to the silent suffering on our streets. By working together, we can create a kinder world for these forgotten souls. #AdoptDontShop #BeTheChangeForAnimals ❤️