- Posts: 11074
- Thank you received: 147
As a volunteer at the IMHS Thrift store, I am in total agreement with Freebird,"it takesfreebird wrote:
I moved here after 2007 so never knew the details of that outbreak until now. I just want to thank you both for your hard work, time and effort during that difficult time. I am certain the end result of seeing almost all of the cats recovered and ready for their adoptive families was very rewarding. Thank you!rldbailey wrote: Thanks for expanding more on this situation CreatureKeeper. I was wondering when you would chime in and I'm glad you did!
For the record, I'm the other staff member that helped during that outbreak in 2007. As your Assistant Shelter Manager during that time, I didn't always agree with the shelter operations and decisions, but I did my best, as did you, to see it through. I am still supportive of the organization and will continue to do so in the future.
I can only hope that people in this community will step up and help by donating and bringing positive solutions instead of trying to rip the current shelter management apart. Believe it or not, this is one of the hardest jobs you will ever do and still be one of the most rewarding!!!!
BTW - I still have Ruthie the cat and Emily the dog!!!!
I agree with every sentiment shared above and just want to add that "bringing positive solutions" is so important. Supporting a loved one or an organization doesn't mean you agree with every action they take. It takes courage to try to effect positive change when you encounter a belief or policy you don't agree with.
Some put much too much emphasis on monetary contributions as being the best form of support...often thinking of the control that is associated with it. I think the form of support that makes the bigger difference is individual participation. If nothing else, maybe the events of last week coupled with CK's sharing of her experiences and perspective of the past will help motivate more of us to participate and make a difference.
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rldbailey wrote: As a former volunteer and employee of IMHS, I will put in my two cents. It breaks my heart to know that these cats had to be euthanized and I don't believe for one minute that this decision was made lightly.
It's easy to judge and make unfounded comments when you have no idea what you're talking about. To insinuate that the staff and the Veterinarian treating these cats lacks ethics is a big stretch. When I worked at the shelter, I never saw a more dedicated staff, volunteers and veterinarian when we treated this disease a few years ago. In order to treat this disease successfully, you must have the available space, staff and funds to do so. It's not as easy as you might think.
People in a community should support our shelter every day and not just when a tragedy occurs. We can all start by spaying and neutering our pets. Also, when you take a pet into your life, it doesn't mean until you have a baby, or until you bring a new girlfriend/boyfriend into your life, or then you decide to move where they don't allow pets or until that pet gets old and sick and you can no longer be bothered. I can assure you, I heard every deplorable story and/or excuse you can imagine when people surrendered their pets. And yet, I read new postings almost every day with people looking to re-home their pets and or wanting to breed more. My cat/dog is too old to take care of, so will you take it and provide all of the necessay food and medical care!?! If not, I guess I will euthanize it. Then, they go out and get another kitten/puppy and start all over again. Dogs and cats are disposable creatures to some people and unfortunately, they suffer the consequences of that attitude in shelters across our country every day!!!
It's interesting how many people use the shelter as a dumping ground for unwanted pets and then they feel they have the right to judge the very people that are busting their butts every day trying to take care of their unwanted responsibilities.
If people want to help - then start being responsible pet owners and stop breeding for profit! Wow, what a concept!!!
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Becky wrote: Why isn't IMHS posting responses here?
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We know they are busy but how can an organization that depends on the community for support ignore it to this degree, sorry I am busy too, does that allow me to not contribute?rldbailey wrote:
Becky wrote: Why isn't IMHS posting responses here?
I'm sure it's because they have far more pressing matters to deal with right now than to respond to people on this website. I'm sure most of you don't want to hear this, but they have responded on Pinecam today with regards to the many offers of help and have posted a schedule, (subject to weather related changes), for the assistance they will need to get the shelter back in operation. It's also my understanding that they are not set up with 285Bound at this time and hopefully when they get more settled, they can work on that.
As a former volunteer/employee of IMHS, I can assure you and everyone else that there are NEVER enough people and even less hours in a day to accomplish the NEVER ending work that has to be done to properly run an animal shelter on a daily basis. It's not just taking care of the animals, but the never ending administrative duties, the constant flow of people that come and go, the meetings, the transporting of animals for medical care and foster homes, overseeing the volunteers, the numerous phone calls that come in for varied reasons, the daily calls that need to be made for the care of the animals, etc.... I could go on and on, and I still wouldn't be able to list all of the daily, weekly and/or monthly duties that all of the people involved with IMHS have to do.
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Lucky wrote:
We know they are busy but how can an organization that depends on the community for support ignore it to this degree, sorry I am busy too, does that allow me to not contribute?rldbailey wrote:
Becky wrote: Why isn't IMHS posting responses here?
I'm sure it's because they have far more pressing matters to deal with right now than to respond to people on this website. I'm sure most of you don't want to hear this, but they have responded on Pinecam today with regards to the many offers of help and have posted a schedule, (subject to weather related changes), for the assistance they will need to get the shelter back in operation. It's also my understanding that they are not set up with 285Bound at this time and hopefully when they get more settled, they can work on that.
As a former volunteer/employee of IMHS, I can assure you and everyone else that there are NEVER enough people and even less hours in a day to accomplish the NEVER ending work that has to be done to properly run an animal shelter on a daily basis. It's not just taking care of the animals, but the never ending administrative duties, the constant flow of people that come and go, the meetings, the transporting of animals for medical care and foster homes, overseeing the volunteers, the numerous phone calls that come in for varied reasons, the daily calls that need to be made for the care of the animals, etc.... I could go on and on, and I still wouldn't be able to list all of the daily, weekly and/or monthly duties that all of the people involved with IMHS have to do.
Sorry RB but a pretty pathetic answer to legitimate questions being raised. We , who have supported IMHS, deserve the courtesy of a response. If they emailed supporters or mailed , ok but they did not. More excuses no answers to anything.Recipe for failure.
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freebird wrote: To all 285Bound users:
I'm Rebecca Young, Communications Manager for IMHS. I'm contacting you all courtesy of Freebird, one of our wonderful IMHS volunteers. Regretfully, I'm not set up on 285Bound, yet.
I just quickly want to clarify that IMHS' lack of presence on 285Bound is by no means intentional; rather, it's just a case of too much to do, too little time and limited resources.
I started work with IMHS in May of 2010, immediately assuming all responsibility for our marketing, communications and fundraising efforts. I had to catch up and get up to speed on running our Dog Walk and Silent Auction community awareness/fundraisers; as well, I had a learning to go through about maintaining our existing marketing/pr outlets, i.e., our website, blog, Facebook page and community advertising. And, while it may not be an excuse, I was called out-of-state to tend to a family emergency for six weeks in the Fall/Winter of 2010.
If requests from 285Bound were not acknowledged, it's my fault. I let them get buried on my to-do list. Ironically, I met last week with a new volunteer who has offered to provide assistance on maintaining our presence on our local community boards, including 285Bound.
As you know, the devastating developments in the past week have set us back temporarily on implementing this new plan -- but we will get there as soon as we can!
Finally, let me say how very grateful we are to our entire mountain community for their on-going support of animal welfare efforts -- not only the work of IMHS, but that of EAPL, Peke and Pom Rescue, etc., etc. With so many who need our help, in our business, there is no room or need for competition. Every bit of help, financially or otherwise, is critical to the success of all these worthy organizations.
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