Do a good deed today (and tomorrow and the next day...)

How sad is it when you think of all the animals that get left at an animal shelter only to be uthenized a week later? I could never actually go into an animal shelter to pick out a new furry friend. I'd just want to take them home and rescue them all! Some day, when I'm allowed to have a pet (mean landlord!) and I don't have an allergic roommate, I'll send someone in to a shelter for me to get a doggie that fits my lifestyle (lazy), but until then, what can I possibly do to help the helpless animals?

Well, awareness and education first of all. Don't buy a puppy or other animal just because you see your favorite celebrity carrying one around. An animal is not a fashion accessory. They are living and breathing. They look to you for love and security. Can you give that? If you don't want an animal in your house, messing up your floors and furniture - then I first suggest not getting an animal with legs. Maybe a nice fish will do for you. If you really want a pet, then build a nice, warm house for him or her to spend time in when he or she is outside. If you live in an area where it gets to freezing temperatures, do not leave your pet outside. That is inhumane and anyone who does that should be willing to sleep, eat, and lap frozen water outside with the animal. Make sure you can actually afford a pet before you buy one. If you can't, don't get one. If you get one and later realize that you can't afford it, try to get the animal adopted by a trusted person before just leaving it at an animal shelter. Like I said earlier, there are so many pets there, yours might just get passed over by potential pet owners until it is uthenized. There is only so much room at an animal shelter. Speaking of how much room is at a shelter, I found this post by Robin at A Bird in the Hand.

Go to this site and vote for your local (or favorite) animal shelter. The one with the most votes receives a $25,000 grant. There is a $10,000 grant for the runner-up and many, many grants of $1,000. So get to votin'! Send this to your friends (or post on your blogs) and vote every day. Maybe your local animal shelter can build a bigger space to give the animals a longer chance of survival.