Yes it’s Thanksgiving Day and when you look at the world around us, there’s quite a bit going on over which we have little power. While we see things change dramatically around the globe — whether it’s weather or politics– it often leaves us feeling like we are just a tiny cog that can’t make a difference. For those around you today (and everyday), each one of us can make a difference in the life of someone– whether it’s human or animals. Animals have it harder since they can’t talk. For those animals stuck in animal shelters, the tick-tock of the clock that signals when they would be euthanized (the kind word that is a substitute for put to death) runs pretty swiftly to that alarm signaling the end.
Here’s where you can make a difference in the life of not only an animal but also another person (it could be you or it could be someone else like an elderly person or a family who would welcome a pet into their home)
Kylie Edmond and her husband Sean-Patrick Hillman have created a campaign on Indiegogo.com called Rock & Rawhide!
According to the Humane Society, 6-8 million dogs and cats are placed in shelters in the US each year. Of this amount 3-4 MILLION are euthanized. The animals at these shelters suffer extreme stress from the deafening noise levels, environmental conditions and many other factors in the shelter…which makes them less appealing to potential owners.
Rock & Rawhide is a program developed to collect donations of toys, rawhides, treats, blankets and more for dogs and cats placed at Animal Control and other high kill shelters. Across the country, through the collection of items at concerts, local music gigs, touring bands, DJ events, art shows, chef events, direct from individuals and more, we will also work to raise awareness of adoption and the importance of quality of life for shelter animals. Many shelters do not give the animals these items as they are cash-strapped and money is often spent elsewhere. While other organizations raise funds for shelters operating costs, we want to ensure the animals directly benefit…not someone’s pocket.
Some research notes to consider:
•In a study looking at the noise levels in animal shelters they reported that noise can reach over 100db where levels over 70db are considered loud. (Coppola et al, 2006)
•Noise is a physical stressor that can lead to behavioral, physiological, and anatomical responses, including intestinal problems, and immunosuppression. (Spreng, 2000)
•The presence of these food enrichment toys stimulates appetitive behaviors and increases the level of activity (exercise). It also appears to result in lower barking frequencies (lower noise). Thereby promoting the welfare of dogs housed in kennels. (Lidewij L. et al, 2008)
•One study showed that moving the bed to the front of the cage as well as adding toys can increase the chance of that dog being adopted. (Wells and Hepper, 2000)
•The addition of a toy made the kennel environment more appealing to visitors even when the dog displayed no interest in the toy, thus improving adoption chances. (Wells et al, 2002a)The Impact
We can’t change the fact that millions of dogs and cats will be euthanized each year in the US thanks to over-breeding, failure to spay and neuter, puppy mills and more. But we can give those animals on death row a little love, stress relief, and perhaps save some lives along the way. If Rock & Rawhide doesn’t exist, things will remain as they are. Beautiful, happy, well-adjusted, smart dogs and cats will be euthanized because they are stressed, sick, depressed and perhaps aggressive due to their shelter conditions. .
What exactly can those goodies and tough chew toys do?
Besides giving the dogs something to do while they await a new home or euthanization, if dogs are munching on a Nylabone, rope toy or a tough chew toy, they are not barking (too much noise causes depression & anxiety); this leads to lower noise levels which in turn leads to less stress. If a dog is less stressed it will appear more to its natural character and will be deemed more adoptable. More dogs will be adopted, less will be euthanized.
What We Need & What You Get
Starting a non-profit is a costly process. From trademarking the name, to the various Government forms, we run into costs before we even begin. Of course, we would rather this entire amount of money to go towards toys and rawhides, but having non-profit status will mean bigger, better and more reach for the animals affected. Thanks to the beautiful people who have donated to the campaign so far, we have reached our goal! Thank you! This means we can now become an official non-profit. With the extra funds we will be able to buy more items for the animals and start exciting programs to collect more items Nationally, spread the word of adoptions as well as quality of life in the shelter system. Exciting times head!.
What do you get for it besides some happy poochies and kitties?
First, a tax receipt. Even though we are not quite a non-profit yet, the first $5,000 we receive is still tax-deductible world-wide.
There are a variety of bonuses you will receive for donating to this campaign:
Cooking lessons in NYC with THE Chef Carmen Gonzalez of TV’s Top Chef Masters,
a $1,000 gift card for the amazing DM Weil Gallery of abstract art,
dog training sessions with the “best dog trainer in NYC” (New York Magazine) Kate Perry,
life coach session with coach and author Tina Mertel,
a song written for you or a loved one by music goddess Lisa Redford,
hand-made doggie quilt,
music CDs from the following animal lover artists:
Athena Reich (acoustic, folk, pop ) www.athenareich.com
Cassandra Kubinski (singer songwriter) www.casskubinski.com
David Ippolito (That Guitar Man From Central Park) www.thatguitarman.com
Galia Arad (pop, folk, acoustic) www.reverbnation.com/galiaarad
Inky Glass (blues, folk, indie) www.reverbnation.com/inkyglass
Kirsten Thien (blues, soul, roots rock) www.kirstenthien.com
Kylie Edmond (pop, rock) www.reverbnation.com/kylieedmond
Markeisha Ensley (R&B, soul, pop) www.markeisha.com
Meghan Andrews (folk, pop) www.myspace.com/meghanandrewsmusic
Melissa Wrolstad (classical, folk rock, indie) www.myspace.com/rogueayla
MiG Ayesa (rock, funk, soul) www.mig-music.com
Naked Highway (club, electro, pop) www.nakedhighway.com
Rita Selby (jazz) www.ritaselby.com
Robert Agis (classical) www.wix.com/robertagis/robert-agis-1
Robert Daniels (country, troprock, blues) www.reverbnation.com/robertdaniels
Sarah Kendal Trio (indie, acoustic) www.sarahkendalltrio.com
Other Ways You Can Help
Tell others about the Rock & Rawhide campaign!! Attend gigs where Rock & Rawhide are represented. The more people who know about it, the more who will donate and we can be a non-profit! Share us on Facebook, Twitter, email your friends, tell them face to face, ask your vet, local animal rescue, class at school, swim team and work mates….get them all involved. If you wish to only donate items, money or hold an event for us, please email
rockandrawhide@gmail.com for details.
Thanks to Kylie Edmond and Sean-Patrick Hillman for most of the content!
A note: While the campaign goal has been met, the number of cats and dogs in shelters continues to grow. Anyone choosing to donate to this initiative should note that 100% of the funds received would buy more items for dogs and cats.
I donated to this charitable fundraiser. It’s a cause dear to me because I love animals and I have almost always had some sort of animal in my life. Step up to the plate now– particularly since this is Thanksgiving day. This campaign won’t last that much longer and adding to the fund will make a big difference in helping animals!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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