The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer
Established in 1965, HAWS assists over 6,000 animals and welcomes more than 31,000 human visitors annually. As an “open admissions” shelter we lead the community in animal welfare and assure sanctuary for all animals in need, regardless of age, health or temperament. HAWS is a non-profit, entirely donor-fund organization with an active humane education program, and both wildlife and companion animal rescue services for Waukesha County.
"Don't Let the Cat Out of the Bag"
By Humane Animal Welfare Society
Tuesday, Apr 15 2008, 04:30 PM
“If we start at the beginning and limit the breeding, we can change the equation in hopes to balance it.”
That’s a quote from a presentation created by the Lead to Succeed Program at Waukesha North High School. Lead to Succeed is a student interactive program which helps direct students to a better future, and assist in their community while doing so. The program is produced by Community Connections Consulting and funded by UW-Waukesha.
This group of students is working to make a difference in the pet overpopulation problem in Waukesha County. Through a pilot project with us at HAWS, they are doing presentations to community leaders (one in particular on Wednesday, April 16th, at the HAWS shelter) about HAWS’ Owned Outdoor Cat Program: our SNIP clinic provides free spay or neuter surgeries for the cats in Waukesha County that are part of outdoor/barn or feral cat populations.
The students are hoping to promote awareness of what pet overpopulation can truly mean – more euthanasia as a result of there not being enough room in shelters for all the cats that are being born.
That reality was tough for the students to swallow at first! So, the group was asked to develop a program to help get the word out. Their campaign is titled “Don’t Let the Cat Out of the Bag.” Some of their main points include:
· As our community changes from rural to urban, many cats are left homeless. The cats that live in the rural areas are forced to move into our growing developments, thus making them a nuisance. This causes problems for the cats as well, since many are suffering from lack of nourishment.
· Community involvement in stemming pet overpopulation makes our area a brighter and better place - knowing that we are that much closer to solving this problem.
Lead to Succeed students, you rock! And we can tell you understand our mission at HAWS, too, since this quote is also from your presentation:
“Without humane education there is little hope in changing the future.”
By the way: anyone can help with curbing pet overpopulation! Spay and neuter, or just spread the word about how important it is - you'll save lives, and your pet will be happier and healthier.
