The Hendricks County Animal Care and Control is not at all related to the Hendricks County Humane Society, yet most people assume that it is. Currently, there is a group of concerned citizens because of the poor job that the facility is doing to adopt out animals and provide basic care. Stay tuned for an update, but please read this letter and consider future involvement (i.e. write letters, make phone calls, attend meetings) to fight for the homeless animals in Hendricks County.
To whom it may concern: As I understand it, Hendricks County Humane Society does not have an adoption facility of its own. Does Hendricks County Animal Control and 'Shelter' house the animals you would normally take?
If this is correct, I am disappointed and furious about the guidelines and staff at this facility. We had visited the old facility a couple of times and were among the many who were thrilled about the new facility and the community effort including extensive effort on the part of your Humane Society to bring this project to reality. Are the staff at this facility hired for the simple reason that they are willing to 'kill' every animal that comes through the door? Maybe they are transfers from the Correction Facility next door.
We have been to the facility a few times recently looking for a companion for our own senior dog. But, until this last time, Tuesday the 20th, I did not realize that there really is NO INTEREST IN ACTUALLY PLACING THESE ANIMALS. Let me share with you my Tuesday visit.
Upon arrival, I asked to see the dogs. No problem, but as before, there is absolutely NO information about the pats at their cages. You have to remember the number of the cage and then ask later. The cages were clean, except for one or two that did have 'new' accidents, but nothing to complain about for sure. I barely made it down the first row, when the Animal Control Officer followed me into the area. Don't know where she went initially, but as I made my way around the corner to the second row, she was right on my butt. When I asked about a couple of the dogs, since she was standing right there, she said I had to remember the cage number and she would pull the card when I got back to her desk. At that point, she got out the house and started hosing the cages I had just passed - now mind you just one of them had a small 'wet' only accident - but she proceeded to hose all the dogs -yes everyone! Not just the floors. She followed along behind me as if to hurry me along as I had no time to even look. I then went around the end back of the aisle so that I could follow behind her and actually look at the animals in the second aisle, and she nearly hosed me! At that point, I gave up ever seeing aisle three where I heard later that there were a couple of loving boxers who had just been surrendered.
As I left the dog room, I thought I may as well say hi to the cats - and no more than the door closed behind me and there she was again. I guess I should mention, I am a 65 year old female, cancer survivor in a pink sweatshirt and jeans - and I think relatively harmless looking. There were piles and piles of kittens, and I expressed concern about the number of pure black kittens and wondered if they would hold them after Halloween. Her response to that was "we can't control who adopts them. We just want them gone."
At that point, I proceeded back to the front counter. Unfortunately the other officer was busy on the phone so as I waited with my questions, the 'hose' lady came up. I had remembered two cage numbers and asked for information on them. I gave her the first number, and before she had even pulled the information card, she started explaining to me that she did not feel that would want to adopt out that animal. She was older and had been abandoned by her owners when they moved away. Because she just laid at the back of her cage and would not respond to any of 'them' they assumed that she would be a risk to adopt out. I don't know what her breed was or age or anything as the officer asked the other number was - that dog, I was told, was also not suitable for adoption. A young, active dog - there was supposed concern about it attacking. Again, no information about the breed or anything, and she closed the drawer.
I then decided to ask more about the process of adoption at this facility. The officer did not hesitate telling me -a surrendered animal, if determined it would be too difficult to place, is euthanized within 24 hours of surrender. Strays are evaluated, but if they have any problems, they are put down within 24 hours or if it is determined that maybe the owners may come looking for them, they are given 3 days. I have to tell you, hearing this I realize that I probably caused a couple dogs to be put down the last time I was there - there was one small dog that came in as a stray and may have been hurt; then there was another large lab mix who was surrendered with a companion. This dog was biting his tail and had chewed some of the hair off. When I told the officer at the front desk that day, they immediately took the cards out of the file and gave them to someone else to "pull them."
When I asked if they housed the animals for the Humane Society of Hendricks County, she clearly said NO - they have no shelter facility and only do referrals.
Sadly, the two boxers had been surrendered by their owner who had lost his job and his home was being foreclosed on. WAS HE TOLD THEY WOULD KILL HIS PET IF HE LEFT THEM THERE FORE MORE THAN A COUPLE OF DAYS? Did anyone suggest a better place to take them so they could have a second chance?
My heart just breaks that so many put themselves out and made sacrifices to build the beautiful facility in Danville, only to find it is nothing more than an execution chamber. The animals seem so arbitrarily put down, and if potential adopters are not allowed to spend time with the animals, petting them, and getting to know them, how can anyone know how they might behave in a loving home?
I don't really expect you to respond, but I just had to get this out. I went to the Avon Harvest Festival where several shelters had animals for adoption, and the horror stories they all had about trying to deal with the Hendrick's County Animal Control and "Shelter" just made me sick. If you want a great example of how it should be done, including lots of volunteers, go visit the Hamilton County Humane Society. The day we went there, there must have been at least one volunteer for every two animals. The place was immaculate. There was extensive information on every cage to help you know ahead of time who you were visiting. Even though we live in Plainfield, I would drive to Noblesville just to volunteer because it was heart warming just to be a visitor. Oh, and they have a FREE spay/neuter program. How can such a great county like Hendricks County allow this kind of representation?
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of their soul remains unawakened."
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Less is more: Change buying habits
Truly, I cannot say this any better, so I'd like to share a blog post from mnmlist.com (note that this is really meant to say minimalist.com, however, omitting letters made the web address truly minimal):
Often when we want to solve a problem or make some kind of change in our lives, we'll go out and buy something:
* We want to get organized, we'll buy containers or folders or closet organizers.
* We want to lose weight, we'll buy diet food or an exercise machine or a gym membership.
* We want to help the environment, we buy green products.
* To get out of debt, we'll hire a financial planner or new financial software.
* We want to save gas, we buy a gas-efficient car (perhaps a hybrid).
* We want to start new hobby, we'll buy new materials or equipment.
* We want to do almost anything, we'll buy new clothes for it (workout clothes, work clothes, yoga clothes, dressy clothes, hip clothes)
* We want to make our house look better, we'll buy new furniture or decorations.
* We want to be cooler, we'll buy new gadgets. Or cool T-shirts.
* We want to improve our lives, we buy new books on different topics.
I could go on, but you get the picture.
But buying is not the solution. Or at least, it rarely rarely is.
Instead, buy less. Stop yourself before going out to buy things. See what you already have that you can use. See if someone else has it that you can borrow or trade or barter for. See if you can solve the problem without anything new.
Often when we want to solve a problem or make some kind of change in our lives, we'll go out and buy something:
* We want to get organized, we'll buy containers or folders or closet organizers.
* We want to lose weight, we'll buy diet food or an exercise machine or a gym membership.
* We want to help the environment, we buy green products.
* To get out of debt, we'll hire a financial planner or new financial software.
* We want to save gas, we buy a gas-efficient car (perhaps a hybrid).
* We want to start new hobby, we'll buy new materials or equipment.
* We want to do almost anything, we'll buy new clothes for it (workout clothes, work clothes, yoga clothes, dressy clothes, hip clothes)
* We want to make our house look better, we'll buy new furniture or decorations.
* We want to be cooler, we'll buy new gadgets. Or cool T-shirts.
* We want to improve our lives, we buy new books on different topics.
I could go on, but you get the picture.
But buying is not the solution. Or at least, it rarely rarely is.
Instead, buy less. Stop yourself before going out to buy things. See what you already have that you can use. See if someone else has it that you can borrow or trade or barter for. See if you can solve the problem without anything new.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Less is more: dump those vampire relationships!
Yes, we know Twilight is hot, but vampire friends are not. So what exactly is a vampire friend and how the heck does it have anything to do with simplifying your life?
Vampire friends are those that are a time and energy drain. You know, the friends who constantly stir up trouble and DA-RA-MAAA! Friends should be people we feel comfortable with and enjoy passing time. Friendships should make us feel happy, secure, and should allow you to give and receive. Ideally, being a good friend should allow you to develop yourself and give you a feeling of belonging.
The company of good friends is a beautiful thing.
But sometimes those friendships go sour, and it's important to know when to break it off!
Answer these questions:
1. Do you feel like you and your friend listen to and assist one another with respective concerns?
2. Do you feel a mutual respect for one anothers' accomplishments?
3. Are you able to carry on a conversation on a regular basis that does not end in debate or argument?
4. Do you feel as those both parties avoid dominating the relationship in any way?
5. Do you have trust for one another?
6. Are you and the other person able to find common interests besides thejuiciest gossip about others?
7. Do you both allow one another to be himself/herself without judgment?
8. Do you feel that you are reaching your potential (professionally, spiritually, physically, etc.) with the current base of friends you have?
Hopefully your answers were "yes," to the majority of these questions. If not, consider making new friends through volunteering, work, or community organizations like churches.
If you find yourself in a toxic friendship, try just letting the relationship slip away rather than confront the person about the relationship. Sometimes it's just better to let things go and move on. Simple as that.
And speaking of vampires, I'll leave you with this picture:
Vampire friends are those that are a time and energy drain. You know, the friends who constantly stir up trouble and DA-RA-MAAA! Friends should be people we feel comfortable with and enjoy passing time. Friendships should make us feel happy, secure, and should allow you to give and receive. Ideally, being a good friend should allow you to develop yourself and give you a feeling of belonging.
The company of good friends is a beautiful thing.
But sometimes those friendships go sour, and it's important to know when to break it off!
Answer these questions:
1. Do you feel like you and your friend listen to and assist one another with respective concerns?
2. Do you feel a mutual respect for one anothers' accomplishments?
3. Are you able to carry on a conversation on a regular basis that does not end in debate or argument?
4. Do you feel as those both parties avoid dominating the relationship in any way?
5. Do you have trust for one another?
6. Are you and the other person able to find common interests besides thejuiciest gossip about others?
7. Do you both allow one another to be himself/herself without judgment?
8. Do you feel that you are reaching your potential (professionally, spiritually, physically, etc.) with the current base of friends you have?
Hopefully your answers were "yes," to the majority of these questions. If not, consider making new friends through volunteering, work, or community organizations like churches.
If you find yourself in a toxic friendship, try just letting the relationship slip away rather than confront the person about the relationship. Sometimes it's just better to let things go and move on. Simple as that.
And speaking of vampires, I'll leave you with this picture:
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Less is more: Evaluate your goals
In my previous post, I wrote about the desire to simplify my lifestyle. While that statement is vague, here is one example of how I plan to go about simplification.
Example 1: Evaluate true goals in life
This example has everything to do with finding out what is most important in my fulfillment. Are you guilty of "trying to do it all?" If an activity is not consistent with your core values, start saying no to make room in your life to do more of these things.
My short list of values:
1. Spending quality time with family and Aaron
2. Making a difference in the lives of animals
3. Travel and adventure
4. Professional and educational fulfillment
5. Spirituality
The next step in trying to evaluate your goals in life would be to evaluate your current commitments. Take inventory of everything going on in your life. This would include activities at home, your work, hobbies, volunteering, side businesses, etc. Question if each of these activities truly helps you move towards your core values. If they don't, start working on paring down those activities. This step may radically change the landscape of your day.
One activity that Aaron and I have decided to cut out is our business. Yep-we're shutting down the company after almost 4 years of operation December 31st. We worked 40+ hours a week in the office and then worked quite a few more stressful hours on the weekends with little down time. We received phone calls at all hours of the day from employees, and we often worked events ourselves because our staff would fail to show up for their assignments. We could have events that ranged in time from 6am until 2am the next day--and we had to be prepared at all times to diffuse a bad situation or fill in when needed. It became clear that our business was not fulfilling our goal of spending time with family and feeling professionally fulfilled. Over the last year, we've developed a new company-Prodigy Uniform Company, and we are just about ready to launch! Here's the website: http://prodigyuniforms.com/ This company will sell food service and formal attire
We hope that this new company will allow us to reclaim our weekends and spend more time doing what we love. Of course, I will maintain my current job as an underwriter at One America, but I will not have to work weekends for the staffing company, and Aaron and I will get more time to volunteer with animals and spend time together. We were so scared to leave the staffing company behind after putting so much of our time and effort into it, but we are ready to make the leap of faith and choose an entrepreneurial venture that is more suiting to us.
It is daunting to feel like we're starting over, but we really are not. My guess is that we have learned so much from owning our staffing company that it would be impossible to start this uniform company without our experiences in staffing and starting a business from ground zero. We also already sell uniforms to some clients that hired us to do their staffing, so we've got a head start!
I hope this inspires you to evaluate your goals and commitments and eliminate those that don't fulfill those needs.
Example 1: Evaluate true goals in life
This example has everything to do with finding out what is most important in my fulfillment. Are you guilty of "trying to do it all?" If an activity is not consistent with your core values, start saying no to make room in your life to do more of these things.
My short list of values:
1. Spending quality time with family and Aaron
2. Making a difference in the lives of animals
3. Travel and adventure
4. Professional and educational fulfillment
5. Spirituality
The next step in trying to evaluate your goals in life would be to evaluate your current commitments. Take inventory of everything going on in your life. This would include activities at home, your work, hobbies, volunteering, side businesses, etc. Question if each of these activities truly helps you move towards your core values. If they don't, start working on paring down those activities. This step may radically change the landscape of your day.
One activity that Aaron and I have decided to cut out is our business. Yep-we're shutting down the company after almost 4 years of operation December 31st. We worked 40+ hours a week in the office and then worked quite a few more stressful hours on the weekends with little down time. We received phone calls at all hours of the day from employees, and we often worked events ourselves because our staff would fail to show up for their assignments. We could have events that ranged in time from 6am until 2am the next day--and we had to be prepared at all times to diffuse a bad situation or fill in when needed. It became clear that our business was not fulfilling our goal of spending time with family and feeling professionally fulfilled. Over the last year, we've developed a new company-Prodigy Uniform Company, and we are just about ready to launch! Here's the website: http://prodigyuniforms.com/ This company will sell food service and formal attire
We hope that this new company will allow us to reclaim our weekends and spend more time doing what we love. Of course, I will maintain my current job as an underwriter at One America, but I will not have to work weekends for the staffing company, and Aaron and I will get more time to volunteer with animals and spend time together. We were so scared to leave the staffing company behind after putting so much of our time and effort into it, but we are ready to make the leap of faith and choose an entrepreneurial venture that is more suiting to us.
It is daunting to feel like we're starting over, but we really are not. My guess is that we have learned so much from owning our staffing company that it would be impossible to start this uniform company without our experiences in staffing and starting a business from ground zero. We also already sell uniforms to some clients that hired us to do their staffing, so we've got a head start!
I hope this inspires you to evaluate your goals and commitments and eliminate those that don't fulfill those needs.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Less is more
I've been reading a lot about simple living lately. Articles about decluttering your stuff, living with less, making life less complicated, and just reclaiming your life from worry and complexity. And I like it!
In order to stay consistent with the topic, I'll try to keep this blog post concise.
Upon taking a closer look at my life, I've decided to pare down, consume less, simplify, and just worry about what makes me happy.
The next few posts will provide some examples-and feel free to steal them : )
I want the simple life
In order to stay consistent with the topic, I'll try to keep this blog post concise.
Upon taking a closer look at my life, I've decided to pare down, consume less, simplify, and just worry about what makes me happy.
The next few posts will provide some examples-and feel free to steal them : )
I want the simple life
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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