It’s been awhile since I’ve written a column. I’ve been dealing with some health issues that I won’t go into, because it’s boring, and anyway there’s no use complaining anyway; it won;t change anything:))

I am working on a blog that will be linked to this column and will be up and running shortly.

I have been looking into many animal issues.

Just this week I was told about people in Thessalon who have been selling defective poodle puppies, and so far I’ve spoken to three people whose little pups died or developed major health problems. I will be printing his name and the whole story on my blog to keep readers informed.

And I know I told you that I would reveal more about the person who sold sick pom-poos on Charles St. and I will. It’s just that there are a few things that have to be “settled“ first before I can publish it.

There will also be more news on the “animal rescuer” and her shenanigans.

People just keep on using animals to make a quick buck and they don’t give a damn who they hurt..people or animals.

That’s why I’m going to have create a blog..so I can post these stories all in one place and you can check in to see updates and/or print your concern or question and I’ll look into it.

I have been helping out with The Animal Assistance Group, contributing what I can, (and it’s not nearly enough) but you do what you can do.

Last night I brought home four very tiny kittens whose mother is extremely sick. The mother had been dropped off at Cheryl Alberta’s house just before she gave birth, and Cheryl has been dealing with the mother’s health issues.
Now two of those kittens are sick and the other two are starting to sneeze.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

There are just so many cats and kittens out there who need homes and they just keep coming.

TAAG has over 100 cats and kittens. Many of these cats are getting sick with an upper respiratory infection.
We rely on foster homes to care for these sick kitties in order to keep them isolated from all of the healthy cats and kittens we have. And we have lots of those too!

It seems that no matter how much you put the message out there that spaying and neutering is a must, it’s just not getting through!

Because TAAG does not euthanize any animals unless they are gravely ill or severely injured, our office and foster homes are full of cats whose only crime was being born into a world where there are more cats than homes for them.

The facts are as follows:

* 1040 TONS of carcasses of unwanted animals are put into landfills every year .
* 1 breeding female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years.
* 1 breeding female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in 6 years.
* For every human born, 7 puppies and kittens are born.
* 75% of animals that are in Canada animal shelters will be euthanized.
* Most animals that are euthanized are perfectly healthy!
* Canada taxpayers spend $2 billion a year to impound, shelter, euthanize and dispose of homeless animals.

These statistics are shocking, and it is the animals who suffer.

I think that most people have the idea that letting their cat or dog have “just one litter” won’t hurt anyone. But it does.
We see the results of pet overpopulation everyday and we have to deal with it.

All of those animals have to be fed. They have to have clean litter boxes everyday. They need medication and vet care when they are sick. And they need affection and attention so that they are socialized and do not become leery of people.

TAAG volunteers go into our office on Albert Street everyday day to provide clean food and water, clean litter boxes, wash blankets, wash food dishes, mop floors and give attention and love to all of those cats and kittens in our care.

Not only that, but they do it TWICE a day.

THEN the ones who foster have to go home and do the same thing to the cats and kittens in their care.

TAAG is not funded in any way. Yet we make sure that every animal in our care is taken well care of. We rely solely on donations just to survive.
You might ask why we take in so many animals if it is difficult to provide for them.The answer is because we truly care for them and we believe that all cats and dogs have a right to live.

They did not ask to be born. It is almost impossible to turn an animal in need away, yet it is coming to the point that we may have to do just that, although that will be the hardest thing that TAAG has to deal with.

So I am asking for help. I don’t like to do it, but this time I have to.
If you are an animal lover, and can find it in your heart to help out the many animals in our care we would appreciate it immensely.
It doesn’t have to be a big donation.

A bag of kitty litter, a bag of cat food, anything that would help us provide for the animals in need would be so very much appreciated.

A cash donation would be wonderful, and again it doesn’t have to be a large one. Or if you don’t want to donate cash directly to TAAG, you could always give a small donation toward our vet bill. You can pay it directly to Dr. Hall at the Chippewa Animal Clinic on Three Mile Rd. in Sault Michigan.

Dr. Hall generously lets us run a bill when we are strapped for cash and an emergency comes up,(and we couldn’t do it all without him) but we still have to pay those bills.

And still the animals keep coming…

I will be at the Station Mall again next week in front of Cole’s bookstore, selling 50/50 tickets for TAAG and I will once again have the anti-puppy mill petition available to anyone who wants to sign it. Stop by and say hi if you’re down that way and have a look at the photos and information about all of the cats and kittens TAAG has available for adoption.

TAAG’s phone number is 575-7030.

Take Care
Karen

At right: photos of the four tiny, sick kittens that I am fostering. They will be up for adoption once they are healthy and a little older.