Interview with the founder of Uncle Jacks Cats Dogs Rescue
I've had the opportunity to sit down with Sandy Sheldon founder of Uncle Jacks Cats animal rescue and get her view on some controversial topics regarding shelters and rescues. Some may call her views eccentric in this day and age so I will lay them out here and let you decide for yourself. And then I'll share with you my thoughts and views regarding the subject matter for this meeting.
Founded 7 years ago on a dream and a pure love of all things great and small and most often furry, Uncle Jacks Cats (& Dogs) Animal rescue has stayed true to it's vow to remain a No Kill shelter as long as they exist.
When asked why they so strongly believe in being a No Kill rescue Sandy informed me of the following. "We believe every animal deserves a chance young, old, sick or healthy. We vow to find them a forever home or give them a forever home." When asked if she ever feels guilty about having to turn away some animals due to her No Kill policy Sandy responded "The number of animals we have to turn away is far less than the number of animals euthanized daily in a lot of other shelters and rescues. All of our animals get the chance they deserve. I know I can't change the world but I am definitely going to do my part. If you make it into my rescue then you can expect to be well cared for. I do not believe in "saving" only the animals someone else will find cute.
My blood boils thinking about the reasoning behind most euthanasias I mean honestly if I can't put my neighbor down for being ugly then why should I be able to do that to a poor innocent animal? I believe the love of animals is what has started 90% of all rescues and shelters and for it to now be turning to a love of only the easily adoptable animals breaks my heart. Where has the passion gone and the vow to do it for the right reasons. I try not to think about it too much as I believe it could drive me insane with the ironies of a Kill rescue."
Next, I asked her what her thoughts were on why there was so many rescues and shelters utilizing euthanasia as a form of population control and if she had any insight on the matter, her answer to me was said with emotion that radiated her passion for animals.
"I don't know why or where things went wrong. I do know first hand the struggles with donations of money, food and litter and the struggles we go through day after day. I know the impact breeders and puppy mills have on us rescues and it is extensive. Trying to keep up with the number of unwanted animals can be overwhelming and I think maybe that could be what has pushed these other rescues. But I am living proof that you can find a balance and you can make it no matter how hard it may be. When the day comes and people are legally not able to have animals for the sole purpose of mass reproduction then you will see a big change.
When these breeding dogs get too sick to breed where do you think they end up most often? I'll tell you in a rescue like mine or forgotten in some cage and left to die. I was given this little dog; toothless, collapsed lung and a lame leg. This little guy was used for breeding and at some stage injured his leg which went either unnoticed or just untreated for months even though he was still expected to breed. When the puppy mill he was rescued from was shut down I opted to take him in personally and provide his care and forever home. His only other option was euthanasia through the shelter he was going to be taken too. I could no more have turned my back on him then the 4 little kittens that were dropped off yesterday.
So I can't say why other rescues/shelters choose to do things the way that they do. All I know is that I believe it is wrong."
At this point there were duties to be preformed in the rescue and we chose to end the conversation here. I thanked Mrs. Sheldon for her time and promised to do a follow up.
The rest of the day I thought through the meeting and contemplated what I would do if I was in the position of these rescues. I have to say no matter which light I looked at it in every time I agreed and believe I would do things just the way Mrs. Sheldon does.
For those that believe her views are eccentric I believe you just have a woman passionate about what she does and not scared to tackle the road laden with more obstacles. She does what she does because it is what she believes is right. She goes to bed confident in the righteousness of her choice and guilty only over the fact that she cannot save the world. And I have learned that we should not have the right to decide who is worthy of life and who is disposable. Also from what I have learned via research as to what reasons most animals are "put down" I just have to say thank God grandma wasn't furry and four legged.
Rescues are a much needed resource and I urge you to make a donation or adopt an animal or animal rescue and help save a life. Those of you like me who have animals that we feel are a part of our family know that if anything should happen to us these rescues are who we fall back on to care for our animals. So lets make sure we do are part as well.
If you would like to make a donation to Uncle Jacks Cats you can send it too
Uncle Jacks Cats
P.O. Box 568
Glendale, AZ 85301
(you can also visit them online and view a handful of their rescues at www.unclejackscats.org )
Founded 7 years ago on a dream and a pure love of all things great and small and most often furry, Uncle Jacks Cats (& Dogs) Animal rescue has stayed true to it's vow to remain a No Kill shelter as long as they exist.
When asked why they so strongly believe in being a No Kill rescue Sandy informed me of the following. "We believe every animal deserves a chance young, old, sick or healthy. We vow to find them a forever home or give them a forever home." When asked if she ever feels guilty about having to turn away some animals due to her No Kill policy Sandy responded "The number of animals we have to turn away is far less than the number of animals euthanized daily in a lot of other shelters and rescues. All of our animals get the chance they deserve. I know I can't change the world but I am definitely going to do my part. If you make it into my rescue then you can expect to be well cared for. I do not believe in "saving" only the animals someone else will find cute.
My blood boils thinking about the reasoning behind most euthanasias I mean honestly if I can't put my neighbor down for being ugly then why should I be able to do that to a poor innocent animal? I believe the love of animals is what has started 90% of all rescues and shelters and for it to now be turning to a love of only the easily adoptable animals breaks my heart. Where has the passion gone and the vow to do it for the right reasons. I try not to think about it too much as I believe it could drive me insane with the ironies of a Kill rescue."
Next, I asked her what her thoughts were on why there was so many rescues and shelters utilizing euthanasia as a form of population control and if she had any insight on the matter, her answer to me was said with emotion that radiated her passion for animals.
"I don't know why or where things went wrong. I do know first hand the struggles with donations of money, food and litter and the struggles we go through day after day. I know the impact breeders and puppy mills have on us rescues and it is extensive. Trying to keep up with the number of unwanted animals can be overwhelming and I think maybe that could be what has pushed these other rescues. But I am living proof that you can find a balance and you can make it no matter how hard it may be. When the day comes and people are legally not able to have animals for the sole purpose of mass reproduction then you will see a big change.
When these breeding dogs get too sick to breed where do you think they end up most often? I'll tell you in a rescue like mine or forgotten in some cage and left to die. I was given this little dog; toothless, collapsed lung and a lame leg. This little guy was used for breeding and at some stage injured his leg which went either unnoticed or just untreated for months even though he was still expected to breed. When the puppy mill he was rescued from was shut down I opted to take him in personally and provide his care and forever home. His only other option was euthanasia through the shelter he was going to be taken too. I could no more have turned my back on him then the 4 little kittens that were dropped off yesterday.
So I can't say why other rescues/shelters choose to do things the way that they do. All I know is that I believe it is wrong."
At this point there were duties to be preformed in the rescue and we chose to end the conversation here. I thanked Mrs. Sheldon for her time and promised to do a follow up.
The rest of the day I thought through the meeting and contemplated what I would do if I was in the position of these rescues. I have to say no matter which light I looked at it in every time I agreed and believe I would do things just the way Mrs. Sheldon does.
For those that believe her views are eccentric I believe you just have a woman passionate about what she does and not scared to tackle the road laden with more obstacles. She does what she does because it is what she believes is right. She goes to bed confident in the righteousness of her choice and guilty only over the fact that she cannot save the world. And I have learned that we should not have the right to decide who is worthy of life and who is disposable. Also from what I have learned via research as to what reasons most animals are "put down" I just have to say thank God grandma wasn't furry and four legged.
Rescues are a much needed resource and I urge you to make a donation or adopt an animal or animal rescue and help save a life. Those of you like me who have animals that we feel are a part of our family know that if anything should happen to us these rescues are who we fall back on to care for our animals. So lets make sure we do are part as well.
If you would like to make a donation to Uncle Jacks Cats you can send it too
Uncle Jacks Cats
P.O. Box 568
Glendale, AZ 85301
(you can also visit them online and view a handful of their rescues at www.unclejackscats.org )
You've added this content to your favorites.
Post your comment
Load More
