I dream of being out of a job
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Not many people dream of being out of their job I am sure, but in my line of business I dream of the day my job is no longer needed. I dream that all companion animals will have loving, caring homes where they feel safe, loved and cared for. I dream of a day when an animal shelter is a relic of the past and not common, everyday vocabulary.
Many people scoff at this dream, but thousands of people across the country share in this dream. I recently attended the No More Homeless Pets Conference in Las Vegas (all work and not a single quarter in a machine, really) where 1,700 folks from 48 states and 6 other countries came together with a common belief – we can achieve this lofty dream and see it become reality if we all work together to save one at a time.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my job. As hard, stressful and demanding as it can be, it is wonderful and rewarding at the same time. But just think what this world would look like with no cats and dogs roaming our streets and alleys, left to fend for themselves. No emaciated dogs searching for food, no endless litters of kittens being born to a short, often miserable life. No more adoptable pets being euthanized in shelters purely because of space.
As a compassionate nation we have come a long way in the last couple of decades and taken the shelter euthanasia rate from around 17 million each year to 4 million each year — a commendable result, but still 4 million too many.
So yes, I dream with continued spay and neuter efforts, with taking the adoption option, with shutting down puppy mills, with responsible and controlled breeding, with education and responsible communities, we can make such a difference in not only the lives of companion animals, but also the lives of our kids and families.
I am realistic in my dream. It will take time and effort but I will not stop dreaming and I invite you to join me.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” — Gandhi.
