There's a thin skiff of ice on the ornamental pond this morning .... no wonder with the mercury down to minus five. Here in the Valley, the word 'fresh' is a euphemism for pfc, or pretty darned chilly if you prefer. Its easier to enjoy this fresh crisp morning when there are enough coals in the stove to easily start a little ' two stick' fire before we go to the woods. And its easier to look forward to winter when there are at least six good cords of dried wood put by.
By no stretch of the imagination do I consider myself to be affluent. I am able to be retired because I'm an empty nester, am mortgage free and have enough space and skills to be semi self sufficient. In this day and age, even a military pension won't carry the day if there is any kind of debt load or if the kids aren't finished college.
All groups and rescues want each and every one of their pets to go to good, financially stable homes . So much love and work and energy (and expense ) goes into saving each pet that it would be irresponsible not to carefully screen adopters.
Many groups regard adoption fees as a way of screening out those who are unable to properly care for a pet. Yet its rare that the adoption fee actually recovers the costs accrued with rescue... my friend Annette who runs ARC spent thirty times the adoption fee on her latest adoptee ( She btw walks the walk when it comes to No Kill because she never defines 'treatable' by the dollar sign : ))))
These are funny times and the adopter who is doing alright today could very well be out of a job tomorrow. When it comes down to the crunch, when its a choice between feeding the kids or the cat, we all know how that winds up.
So here's my 'what if' for today. What if there was a reduced adoption fee and a mandatory requirement for pet care insurance?
Group insurance plans are always of benefit to the members. Being retired military, I am eligible for a really decent insurance rate that couldn't be matched if I went out shopping as an individual. What if the society was to negotiate a 'group' insurance rate for pet insurance for all adoptees in this province? ( a fringe benefit of having a group 'deal' could be the ability to 'monitor' policies to ensure they aren't cancelled after the adoption )
There are already informal reciprocal working relationships between the society and different rescues in the province. Both S.H.A.I.D and the LA Animal Shelter have sheltered and found homes for society adoptees.
This is something that would promote a positive relationship between the rescues and the society. It would certainly promote adoption. More than that, it would provide a safety net for the lucky ones who do get adopted.
It would even help promote the concept of adoption itself. People just love getting a good deal, which is why so many adoption incentives have been shown to be successful. I don't need to remind anyone that every pet that is adopted means one less customer for puppy mills, backyard breeders and pet stores.
I love the security of knowing the wood shed and the pantry and the freezer are full. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could promote adoption by offerring security for the animals as the ultimate incentive?
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