RPCA Kiss-A-Mouse Project

Like most of you, I've been rather depressed with how commercial the season
has become. So I would like to start something here, with this group, and

David Stevenson...

I think the reason it is so commercial is because most people like it
that way, including, I am afraid to say, those who say otherwise. No, I
am not saying this applies to you specifically, but it applies to many
who give lip service to this 'too commercial' idea.

One thing I hear a lot is people complaining "Every year Xmas is in
the shops earlier". Ok, so let me ask you, when did you buy your
*first* Xmas present this year?

When I ask people IRL the answer is sometimes early October! People
think Xmas means buying.

if people did not want to buy, and buy early the shops would not push
Xmas as a buying fest so early.

hope it spreads.

I propose that next winter's Holiday Season, we each pick a project and work
on it. It could be through an organized group, if you wish, or just the
family down the road that seems to need more than they have. It can be a
material project or an emotional one. Just something to help someone or
something out.

I'm thinking of doing an animal toy drive for the pet shelters here in the
area. I'm also open to other suggestions.

Pam S. hoping not to be the only member or the RPCA Christmas Club

meeee...

I use store brand bleach, and recently had a ringworm outbreak. Bleach
knocked it on the head!! And it's less toxic to cats than most other
disinfectants (though of course you wouldn't let them drink/swim in it!!)

sriddles...

Hey Pammy--I think that's a wonderful idea. Let's try to remember this.

sriddles...

You are absolutely right. And there are many, many people who *do*
allow themselves to be influenced by the media to that degree.
Especially younger people, and it isn't altogether their fault.

I think you've got a good project idea, too. Most folks donate food, or
money, to shelters. And for most shelters, toys are on the bottom of
the buying list. Too many essentials, never enough money. They don't
get a lot of toys.

tension_on_the_wire...

Hi Pam. I think it's very commendable of you to make this
suggestion, and I am with you wholeheartedly in spirit.

I hope you do not mind if I don't tell what my project is,
I know it seems silly, but part of my philosophy about
charitable works is that there is more value in it for my
own personal growth and self-improvement if I do *not*
tell anyone...the reason is that then I do not have
to worry about the hidden agenda of doing it to get
praise from someone else, or feeling especially
noble because others think highly of what I did. Charity
done in secret is the most noble kind of charity of all,
in my philosophy anyway. But I'm telling you this much
so that you'll know I'm part of your club....for life.

May you reap all the rewards in life due to someone
who improves the lot of the world in even the
smallest way.

Local Humane Association does a Holiday Food Drive, where there a *huge*
boxes at most of the grocery stores around town, some vets and other pet
supply stores as well, even a couple of the more affluent apartment
complexes have a donation site in their "clubhouse" area. This year I
helped deliver some of the boxes (some where decorated by local school
children, others just had animal themed Christmas wrap on them) and am also
collecting at a few of the locations and delivering the donations to the
shelter. Not only are they accepting food, but treats, toys, towels,
blankets/comforters, bleach (for washing the towels!), cat litter, paper
towels - any kind of supplies are accepted. What they can't use, they put
in their "please take one" area.

To quote the info from the web site: "On average, the City of Bloomington
Animal Shelter uses 50 pounds of dog food and 30 pounds of cat food each
day. Additionally, 100 pounds of cat litter is used every day."

The stores on my route are spread out all over, and don't get much, unless
you wait a week between pickups. Last Saturday I collected 1,000 lbs of dry
pet food (Land Rover was almost dragging the gourd as I drove) + assorted
bags/boxes of treats, 2 food dishes and 2 leashes. And on Wednesday I
tallied up what was donated at one of the local grade schools, I don't
remember the total, but it was about 4X what I collected! Plus 10 rolls
paper towels, 20 towels (some old, but the dogs don't care), 4 food bowls
and 10 bags/boxes of treats, and a whole slew of kongs and rawhide chews!

Magic Mood Jeep©...

PS - I forgot to add that last year, one of the local hotels bought all new
bedding for their rooms, and gave all the old to the shelter!!!! And it was
a 200+ room hotel!!!

annoyed...

We kind of do this periodically with our local shelter, bringing them pet
foods, bulk packs of disinfecting wipes for cleaning the cages (they LOVE
that stuff! Huge canisters of the Lysol wipes make it easier to keep clean
cages) and good old cash. SWMBO and I went to the TICA cat show in White
Plains, NY and sat-in on a talk from a Hartz Mountain representative. She
had lots of toys, cat collars and plastic double-bowls (for food & water
together) as giveaways. She had lots of stuff leftover so we asked if we
could take a few extras to our shelter where we adopted Cat Five. The
Hartz lady said to us that if they were for a shelter we could take them
all! Hey, it doesn't hurt to ask ;) So when we went to the Hi-Tor shelter
last week to bring them a Christmas money donation we also gave them the
bag of goodies that will be used to help start out the new adoptions. Must
have been at least 20 collars of various colors & designs, some jingle ball
packages and about a dozen double-bowls. the shelter had lots of kittens
and a few adults ready for adoption, and a nursing mom with her kittens in
an isolated room for their peace & comfort. Hopefully all will get adopted
soon & take home the goodies with them.