It’s been awhile since I’ve written, but I’ve been busy working on some paw-awesome🐾🐾 new things.
As you may know, animal advocacy is near and dear to my heart. With years of experience volunteering at an animal shelter in Costa Rica, I performed various roles in the organization from a shelter shift volunteer, to social media, to grant writing, to community outreach, and also leadership roles.
Of all of these roles, the one that continues to touch my heart the most is community outreach🫶🏾. Because, to me, the most important goal is to prevent the need for a shelter at all.
Can you imagine a world where all cats and dogs are living in loving homes free of pain and suffering? All things are possible when guided by love!
Community outreach can be in many forms – from offering affordable spay and neuter clinics to assistance with affordable veterinary care to animal welfare education. I am focusing on the latter in this blog post.
I’ve created some educational materials from my personal experiences and research. I am not a veterinarian nor an expert in animal behavior, but I am an animal guardian (aka “owner” or “caretaker”) who loves animals and believe all beings should be treated with respect, dignity, and compassion. I do also understand that everyone has their own views on pet care. But, I think we can all agree that our cherished family pets should be given the love and care they need to live lives free of neglect and suffering. Please read my first publication “Pets are family too!”
You can tell a lot about a community by how it treats its animals.
And, I truly believe that all humans have the innate nature of love and goodness. Unfortunately, the product of human actions are not always love and goodness. Often these negative actions are not caused by ill will but instead guided by lack of education or misinformation. You can tell a lot about a community by how it treats its animals.
I plan to help inform and educate in the hopes of easing the pain and suffering of animals and those that care for them. I am creating educational materials in both English and Spanish versions and offering to rescue groups in the area, and also on this site. Please stay tuned for more!
Recently on a morning walk with my two dogs, I heard a dog crying. Both of my dogs pulled me to the direction of the sound. Sadly, what we saw was a beautiful german shepherd dog tied up on a short lead, tied to a dog house, far away from his home. We used to see this dog when it was a puppy, doing what puppies do, curious and adorable. But, today, all we saw was a dog, with defeat in his eyes, staring at his human’s home, and crying. His chain was so tight that you could see him trying to pull free towards his home. Did he have fresh water, food recently, enough room to relieve himself? I just don’t know. And, I don’t know the circumstances of this specific situation, so I pass no judgment on it, but I do know what I saw and what I heard. It literally shattered my heart that morning. Maybe it was because my dog is also a german shepherd. And he is one of the most sensitive, loyal, protective, and loving dogs. I couldn’t bare to even imagine him tied to a short chain away from my home. His is part of my family.
I remember when I started volunteering at a local animal rescue. A few volunteers told me I would lose faith in humans when I saw how awful humans treat cats and dogs. I didn’t believe it then. And, I do still have faith in humans, but some days are harder than others. When I see dog rescue cases where dogs are left chained on a short leash, away from humans, solely for the purpose of protection of “material things.” Or I hear the cries of a dog left alone, tied up, away from humans, away from love, I ask myself, what “material possessions” are more important than the kindness towards another living being? What material things give a human the right to treat another living being with cruelty, with disrespect? Does this person know that a dog tied up is actually defenseless towards predators? Does this person know that a dog tied up on a chain cannot protect “material things” or “family” from another human being? Does this person know that a dog tied up can become distrustful towards humans, and lose its spirit.
What is the reason for inhumane treatment of dogs and cats? Is it lack of education, lack of kindness in one’s heart, or is it a person’s desire for power over a helpless animal? I’ve heard some excuse this awful behavior by saying “it is part of the culture”. But cultures change and evolve when facts and information teach us better, smarter, safer ways of doing things, to improve society, to improve ourselves. When someone gives the reason of abuse and neglect as “it is part of the culture”, I encourage you to question, to push back, and have the courage to speak up when you know this action or behavior is wrong – morally, legally, or ethically.
Alternatives to tethering dogs. “There are plenty of alternatives to dog chains.” There are so many inexpensive and creative alternatives to tethering dogs.Break the chains of abuse and neglect today!
There are also laws that protect companion animals in most countries, but sometimes they are hard to enforce. Let’s encourage our leaders in our schools, in our churches, in our communities, to fight for the helpless, to fight for the defenseless. Because when we stop fighting for those that truly need our voice, need our help, I do think this is when the human race has lost its spiritual purpose and lost its way. This will be the time I truly do lose faith in humanity. I pray that time never comes. Break the chains of abuse and neglect today!
The Dangers of Dog Chaining. 
Alexis Cress Yoga and Rainbow's Light 