Meet Samuel .... like so many lovely adult cats, he wasn't rescued yesterday, or last week ... or sadly even last month. Sam has been at S.H.A.I.D long enough to have become a real favourite with the shelter staff He is sweet natured and friendly .... health checked and house trained .... and handsome to boot.
Clearly he's also very patient, because he and another long term SHAID resident Andy, were good sports about being poster boys for Christmas In July (Happily, after living most of his life in the shelter, Andy has finally been adopted : ))))
So why am I reminding you about this? If you're reading this blog odds are to even you are already awakened to the unimaginable love to be found when one adopts a homeless pet.
With 350,000 households around the province, I honestly believe there are enough good homes for all the homeless pets in Nova Scotia. There should be no excuse for pets to die for lack of room or space or time or resources.
But right here, right now, if you go to any social gathering not attended by animal rescue volunteers, odds are that there are some real misconceptions in any crowd about animal rescue. Urban legends are almost as plentiful as the myths about animal rescue.
Yes there is a desperate need for better publicity, for more ways to focus positive attention on the animals. Yes, there is a real need for humane education to awaken the next generation. And .... yes there is no question that the very promising new path is still in its very early day.
What time is it? Its time to remember that one person might not be able to change the whole world, but each person can:

• Talk, talk, talk .... never ever underestimate the power of word of mouth. The animals need people who can drop the proverbial stone in the pond by sharing 'happy tails as much as they need effective public speakers


• Walk the walk ..... be a responsible pet owner yourself
• Nag, nag, nag every politician who represents you at every level about the appropriate issue, and of course, last but not least
• if you really want to save lives right now... visit Santa's Summer Elves to learn about fostering.

Most importantly, its always time to remember that there is no such thing as an insignificant contribution.