Progressive Wednesday

9 Lives in Dog Years: Donate

June 6th, 2007 by Progressive Wednesday

Any organization that is trying to advance a cause usually has to buy “stuff,” and unfortunately, “stuff” costs money. Logically it follows that one of the easiest ways to help an organization that supports a cause that you believe in is to make a donation, whether it be a little Washington or a big Benjamin.

The problem is that it can seem rather feeble to donate some of your hard-earned bacon to an enormous organization that deals with seven or eight-digit figures everyday. I don’t buy it, but I understand why people would be hesitant. This week we’re going to narrow it down a little bit. We’ve asked you to do it several times before; we’re asking you to donate just two dollars, one more time.

Louisiana is not exactly the most progressive state in our union, and its animal shelters are some of the most despicably under-funded. So rather than sending money to the Enormous International Association of Huge Organizations (EIAHO), or even the Humane Society of the United States, we are asking, no, pleading with you to send those measly two smackers to the Humane Society of Louisiana.

Before Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans animal shelters were grossly under-funded; now they’re grossly under-funded and overbooked. According to the HSLA website:

Animal shelters in the parishes surrounding New Orleans area have seen dramatic increases in animal intakes of up to 30%, due to population shifts.

The Humane Society has reopened its headquarters in the New Orleans metropolitan area and started “Camp Katrina,” a grassroots operation to provide rescue and shelter for animals injured or abandoned after the hurricane. It is rebounding nicely, but it still needs our support. So instead of Super-Sizing that value meal (or instead of buying it altogether), send that extra money to the Humane Society of Louisiana, and let’s make a tangible difference with our donations.

Oh, and I would be remiss if I failed to thank the countless foot soldiers and veterinarians who have donated their time and effort during and after the storm to save all of the Fidos and Snuggles in New Orleans. From the bottom of their parasite-free hearts, woof-woof. That means, “Thank you.”

Thanks to this Katrina rescuer for the top pic.