Thoughts on the Wording That Both Inspires and Divides

By: | July 24, 2018

We recently shared the TedX talk below with our employees. In response, one of our staff members, Edward Burch, penned the following thoughts when sharing the video with his friends. We were so moved, we felt it was worth sharing here.

By our stats, we could probably call ourselves “no kill.” But we don’t. For many of the reasons outlined here. I agree that the term is divisive as well as misleading.

I’m proud that our live placement rates are very high, and that those numbers are up from last year at this time. And it’s because of the committed work of our phenomenal staff.

We’re open admission, which means we’ll make room when other places say they’re full—even when we are also full. We do our best for every animal who comes under our care. Most of them find homes very quickly; some take a bit longer. And we never euthanize for space. We commit ourselves to finding a home for every adoptable animal.

Like the speaker, I am grateful for the progress of the past quarter century that has saved millions of animals thanks to the advocacy of the no-kill movement.

The optimist in me says we will continue to progress in saving animals at higher rates. The pessimist knows that the cruelties of the world ensure that my work, my vocation of finding homes for animals is in no danger of being rendered obsolete.

I’d love for us to be so successful that we put ourselves out of a job. I don’t think it will ever happen, but I’ll do my damnedest to make us so good at what we do that I have to start polishing my resume because the shelters are empty.

5 Great Ways to Give Back

By: | June 27, 2018

As a member of the Young Friends of the APA I spend time pitching in to the help out the adoption center as often as I can. However, like many people, a full-time job and responsibility to family and friends can leave me scratching my head wondering if there are enough hours in the day to make a real impact helping our furry friends.

This is why I was so excited to learn about a ton of different ways that anyone can help give back to the APA. And the best part? Most of these programs earn money for the APA just for doing the things you already do. Little things such as shopping online or walking your dog can all build up to make a big difference.

Here are a few tips for true pet lovers who want to go the extra mile to support the APA.

Facebook Fundraisers

In 2017 Facebook made it easier than ever for you to raise money for your favorite charity. This feature called, Facebook Fundraisers, allow users to raise money for a nonprofit organization of their choosing without ever leaving the social media platform.

You can create a Birthday Fundraiser or create an every-day campaign. You just select from one of the 750,000  non-profits on Facebook, set a goal amount, and enter a custom message. Your friends will see the post and a prompt to donate.

Each time someone donates they are prompted to share and invite their friends to contribute as well. Fundraiser posts and shares include a donation button that makes it easy to donate right from the News Feed.

Learn more about creating your own fundraiser here.

Goodsearch

Something as simple as searching the web can also donate funds to the APA. The website Goodsearch donates approximately 1 cent to the APA every time you use their search engine. Doesn’t sound like much? Just think about how many times you hit ‘enter’ on your search engine every day. Multiply that by 30 days, and you are talking about feeding a pet in need for over a month.

Personally, I chose to set Goodsearch as my default search engine. It is remarkably satisfying to watch your donation tick up as you go about the work day.

To sign up, visit goodsearch.com, click ‘Sign In’ in the upper right-hand corner and finally click ‘Join Now’. Select the APA under ‘Animal Protective Association of Missouri’ and you’re good to search.

Walk for a Dog

Possibly my favorite way to help the APA is simply by taking my dog for a walk!

The company WoofTrax developed the app, Walk for a Dog, to help raise money for shelters across the country. If you have an Android or iPhone just search for the app, Walk for a Dog, and download. Select “APA Animal Protective Association of Missouri”. Just make sure to open the app and hit “start walking” before leaving for your walk.

The more walkers, and walks, that an organization has exponentially increases the share of donations they receive. The best way to make sure you maximize donations to the APA is to use the app every time you take Fido for a walk, and to encourage your friends and family as well!

Amazon Smile

Another easy way some of your shopping purchases can make a difference at the APA is to make your Amazon purchases with Amazon Smile. All together, Amazon has donated nearly $55 million for various charities through Amazon Smile. Even better, Amazon Smile can be used by any Amazon customer. You do not have to be an Amazon Prime member to be part of the program.

How do you enroll in Amazon Smile? Instead of navigating to amazon.com to make your purchase, instead visit http://smile.amazon.com. The website will prompt you to select your charity, type “Animal Protective Association of Missouri” and viola! A portion of each of your future purchases will now be donated to the APA. Remember to save smile.amazon.com in your bookmarks tab. Any purchases made under the regular amazon.com link will not count towards the APA.

To learn more about Amazon Smile visit their site here. Don’t have an Amazon account? It is free to sign up here.

APA Wishlist

The APA is always looking for donated items such as sheets, towels, rags and shredded paper. However, as I am sure you can imagine, running a first-class adoption center takes a lot of specialized resources. In fact, there are many helpful items to donate that you wouldn’t have thought of. For example, educational materials, office supplies, and raffle items for special events are all critical to helping the APA function.

There are two places to find the important items that you can donate to help the APA. On the APA Website is a list of items that the APA is constantly in need of. Additionally, the APA maintains an  Amazon Wishlist which contains more specialized or hot ticket items.

Next time you are cleaning out your office, kitchen or garage make sure to head over to the APA’s wishlist first before loading up the trash can.

 And So Much More…

Despite all the detail in this article, there are tons more ways that you can help the APA beyond what I just mentioned. Of course, monetary donations or time volunteered are always appreciated, and much needed. Any way that you are able to show your support for the APA goes a long way towards connecting homeless pets in St. Louis to happy, loving families.

Other ways to donate include:

  • Honoring or Memorializing a friend, family member or pet
  • Purchasing a nametag displayed outside the APA
  • Attending APA and Young Friends of the APA events
  • Check to see if your company offers a matching gift for donations
  • Set up a reoccurring, planned giving, program
  • Earn money through using eBay with eBay Giving Works
  • Donate your used cell phone
  • Donate an old car or automobile

Also stay tuned for an update next month on the  Schnucks Community Card which will show how you can generate some serious cash with your grocery spending.

If you are looking for any information about these or other ways to help the APA, don’t hesitate to reach out! Give the APA a call at 314.645.4610 and ask for Patti, extension 123.

Many thanks to guest blogger and APA Young Friends member, Paul VandenElzen! We appreciate you!

An Imperfect Beauty – Bartholomew’s Story

By: | June 14, 2018

“No amount of physical beauty will ever be as valuable as a beautiful heart.” – Ustadh Saad Tasleem

Wabi-sabi is an Eastern philosophy most easily described as discovering the hidden beauty in imperfection. When working with animals, we find that almost every pet has outward beauty and an adorable way about them that is hard to resist, however, sometimes we need to look a little bit deeper, to practice wabi-sabi, in order to find the beauty within. That is the case with Bartholomew, or as he is affectionately referred to by our team, Pup-pup.

Pup-pup came to us when his owner’s family, who had more than 20 dogs in the home, realized that they were unable to properly care for him. With help from our transfer volunteers, Pup-pup and 14 other small dogs made their way to the APA.

Upon first look, Pup-pup isn’t what one would define as ‘beautiful.’ His splotchy face is bare in spots and his tongue consistently protrudes from the front of his mouth. His body has several large patches where hair no longer grows, including his tail, which looks long, scaly and rough.  Unfortunately, Pup-pup’s demeanor wasn’t much prettier when we initially met him. It was quickly apparent that during his life he was not very well socialized and was uncomfortable with new people and surroundings. He was fearful of anyone who attempted to touch him and met their attempts at affection with quick snips.

It is possible, and even probable, that many would have given up on Pup-pup, but through the course of working with tens of thousands of animals over the years, we have learned that sometimes the beauty within an animal surfaces over time. Every pet wants to be loved, but allowing oneself to be loved is sometimes hard. At the same time, understanding and patience can do amazing things.

Understanding that Pup-pup needed socialization, one of our team members took Pup-pup in as an office foster. Each day, she gently greeted Pup-pup, carefully removed him from his kennel and let him spend the day in her office. She didn’t push him to interact, but slowly he realized that he was safe and could trust her. As time passed, he began to move to the front of his kennel and greet her in the mornings. Eventually, he even approached her and waited for her to lift him into her lap, which soon after became his favorite place.

Today, Pup-pup was adopted. He is still shy and slow to warm up, but his heart has softened and it is clear that he, like everyone, simply wants to be loved. He isn’t perfect. Outwardly, he looks much the same, although he seems to be just a bit more relaxed (or at least we can tell he is trying). What is important is that he has a good heart, wants to accept the love of others and is willing to give those around him a chance. With a little wabi-sabi, we can see his beautiful heart and the dog he is destined to be. It seems he has also been able to see the beauty within humans. And that is a beautiful thing for everyone.

Odin’s Story

By: | June 7, 2018

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” – Helen Keller

Odin was a stray. Young and homeless, he came to the APA through our transfer program. As a result of this network, which includes over 40 rescue partners and countless volunteers, the APA helps over 1,500 homeless pets every year get a second (and sometimes a third or fourth) chance at adoption. Each pet has their own story, but they all have one thing in common — each is looking for hope.

When Odin arrived, his sweet disposition made him beyond lovable. The APA staff showered him with attention and he quickly became a staff favorite. In addition to needing love, this sweet puppy also needed surgery for an existing injury to his eye. Thanks to the APA’s Heads to Tails Hope Fund, Odin got the medical care he needed. While his left eye ended up needing to be removed, he is now pain free and happy.

While recovering from surgery, Odin spent time in a foster home.  His foster family fell in love and Odin found his forever home! He’s adjusted well to seeing with only one eye. Despite a likely rough start to life, Odin and his family have many happy memories ahead!

Mr. Kitty and Mrs. M.

By: | May 22, 2018

Stories like these warm our hearts…

Mr. Kitty, along with two littermates, arrived at The APA Adoption Center on May 12, 2017 by way of our transfer program. The three kittens appeared to be only a couple of weeks old and were in need of some TLC.  This is where our Senior Saviors came to the rescue!

Mr. Kitty and his siblings were fostered by the residents of Stonecrest Senior Living.  The kittens brought joy and smiles to the residents for the next 2 months while they grew strong enough to be spayed/neutered and placed for adoption.

On July 14, 2017, one of our adoption counselors knew that her grandmother was searching for a four legged companion and thought Mr. Kitty would be the perfect fit!  Abby surprised her grandma with the kitten and now they are inseparable!

When asked about Mr. Kitty, Mrs. M. happily shared, “He is my constant companion and I would not trade him for anything.  What the APA does is amazing and brings joy to many people!”  Knowing the companionship Mr. Kitty has brought to her life, she now knits blankets for the cats at The APA Adoption Center to sleep with while they are waiting to be adopted.

 

The APA Senior Saviors foster program is near and dear to our hearts, just like Mrs. M and Mr. Kitty. To learn more about this innovative program, please visit our Senior Saviors page.