HOPE

I have been volunteering my time at KC Pet Project since 2012.   KC Pet Project is the largest no kill animal shelter in Kansas City, MO and the 3rd largest open admission shelter in the United States!  To put that into perspective, KC Pet Project cares for nearly 10,000 pets a year!!  That is a HUGE number and they are just ONE animal shelter in the United States.  For KC Pet Project to achieve such a status they find homes or other placement for over 90% of the pets who come to the shelter.  They have a great deal of challenges to keep that status and their physical facility is a big obstacle to overcome each day.  The facility is outdated and only about 1/3 of the size they need to sufficiently care for such large numbers that keep escalating each month with it’s growing popularity.

Each month I come home and download my images onto my 27 inch monitor.  I often cry because I can’t take each animal home or find them a home that loves them as much as I love my furry children.  I cry because too many have been neglected, abandoned, abused or their human passed away with nobody to care for them.  I stare at the scars or wounds, their emaciated body, or patches of hair missing  because insects have attacked them.  I see tails tucked between their legs and cowardly stances because they are so scared or confused.  I have seen dogs succumb to the shelter hardships.  I stare into their eyes on my screen and it BREAKS my heart.  I pray they have the mental endurance to pull through their temporary stay at the shelter and not become ‘long-timers.’ I pray that they will soon give endless kisses to their humans and curl up next to their new siblings on the couch.  That they will soon play fetch in the yard and walk proudly around the block.

While I would love to wave a magic wand and rid the world of animal welfare issues I realize this will never happen but I still have HOPE.  This is why I keep coming back to volunteer.  This is why I annoy my Facebook friends about adoptable animals and educate on animal welfare whenever given the chance.  Homeless doesn’t  mean hopeless.  I will continue to be a voice for these precious animals and fight for their well-being and help find them loving forever homes.  Even though many bad cases come through the doors, so do many happy endings!    Dogs are reunited with their owners, animals find forever homes, dogs graduate from the Parvo unit, wounds are healed, and faith is restored.  KC Pet Project is full of positive energy and HOPE which is so important for the well being of the animals.   The staff at KC Pet Project work tirelessly around the clock and their passion and dedication inspire me.  I am so proud to be a part of the KC PET PROJECT team.

If you have a desire to help animals in your community, please consider volunteering at your local shelter or rescue.  I am the last person I thought could handle the shelter environment but I found a good fit where I can use my talents and help the animals and I guarantee you can too!  Another huge way to help out shelters or rescues is through fostering animals.  Deciding to volunteer was the best decision I’ve made.  For so long I just felt the need to give back and I’m so grateful to fill that void with causes so dear to my heart.

If you are an artist and would like to join a network of like-minded individuals with the mission to save the lives of animals in need, I urge you to check out HeARTs Speak.  They have tools, resources and educational opportunities to enhance your work on behalf of animals in need and your own business growth.  They have been a tremendous support to me!

To view a video summary of my work from 2013, CLICK HERE!

The following dogs are up for adoption at KC Pet Project! For more information, including adoption status, please visit their website or call 816-513-9821.