Churches helping shelter animals
Flourish Online, in a series about churches being part of the community, suggests helping the local animal shelter through adoption and other assistance:
...while a mass congregational adoption might not be the best idea, there is still plenty your church can do to advance awareness about the need for animal adoptions and save the lives of thousands of God’s precious creatures:Volunteer
Healthy animals land in animal shelters for a variety of reasons; they are not cast-off because of their health or behavior, and they require no less care and attention than the most pampered pet in the best of homes. Volunteering at a local animal shelter provides animals with the attention they need and shelter staff with extra assistance, but it is good to communicate with your local shelter to determine just what their needs are and how members from your church might help.
...Spread the news at church: The Humane Society of the United States will eagerly supply churches with materials that can be included in church bulletins or handed out after service to raise awareness about adoption needs. Such resources include statistics and stories that will inform church members about the true needs of shelter animals, and encourage them to consider adoption in light of our call to care and compassion. There are also resources available for educating children about taking care of animals in a responsible way.
Spread the news outside of church: Animal shelters often hold adoption days in pet store parking lots or on community center grounds, but they can also bring pets in need of a home right to your church. Consider hosting a pet adoption event as a way to educate your church community on pet adoption and simultaneously invite the larger community into your church’s space to experience God’s care and concern for these creatures. An animal shelter will bring animals and materials to you, and folks from within and outside of your church can meet the animals while you greet them and provide them with information to battle the stigma shelter animals so unjustly receive.
One of the more exciting developments in our parish is the St. Francis Guild. They established a relationship with an animal rescue group (ARF) and sponsor adoptions. Additionally, ARF uses our facilities for yard sales. We go to their facilities and bless the animals every October. This has led to wonderful experiences in our community and folks from the community who join us in this important ministry.
Posted by Ray Buchanan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 17, 2010 8:14 PM
Thanks for posting this. As a member of the board of directors of an animal shelter, I'd like to underscore that shelters can always use volunteers and resources to get the word out about shelter animals. As Christine says in the opening of this article in Flourish, if just 10 percent of the people who have pets would get them from animal shelters, we would no longer need to euthanize millions of perfectly adoptable and loving dogs and cats every year. Also, when you buy dogs from pet stores or online you are almost always supporting puppy mills, which are gruesome and cruel places for dogs. Churches can also be a great way to get the word out about the importance of spaying an neutering, which will also help save countless furry little lives.
Lois Wye
PS Ray, can I ask the name of your church? I'd love to chat with you about what you are doing, if Episcopal Cafe can put us in touch off line.
Posted by Lois![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 18, 2010 10:01 AM
Lois,
We are Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Mobile, AL. Check us out at www(dot)redeemerepiscopal(dot)org. My email addy is on the website.
Ray
Posted by Ray Buchanan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 19, 2010 4:29 PM