50 Shelters ... 50 States

Hi, everybody.  It's the "Mom Person" again.

As this blog enters approximately its fifth month of existence, and prompted somewhat by the Pet Blogger Challenge of a month or so ago, I have been pondering the future of the blog and what goals I have for it, both short and long term.  As well, I was inspired, as I often am when reading this particular blog, to hear that back in October, when I was still very new in BlogLand, Kristine at Rescued Insanity had helped find a home for a homeless shelter dog as the result of her Blog the Change post. When it came time for the January Blog the Change, I actually wrote one (though not about rescue), but Blogger was being particularly troublesome that day and I couldn't get the entire post to show up.  Perhaps some higher power was attempting to teach me a lesson in the virtues of brevity (good luck!) but whatever the case, after several tries, I was tired and frustrated, and so gave up.  Since then, though, I've been pondering a way that I could perhaps put the blog to some good use other than my own enjoyment, and let's face it, nothing would please me more than to see some deserving shelter dogs get wonderful homes,  And if I can play some small part in that, then I would be thrilled! 

Hence ... over the next however long it takes (obviously I can't do just one a week as that would just take FAR too long, so maybe I'll try for two or three a week), I'm going to go through each state alphabetically, and choose a shelter (and one dog and/or one cat from that shelter) to spotlight.  If I possibly can, I'll contact the shelter by phone, speak to the director or adoption coordinator, and get some more information on the animal than what is listed online. 

I think it fitting (though certainly entirely coincidental) that by virtue of the alphabet, the first featured state is Alabama.  The southern states statistically have far more animals being euthanized in shelters than the northern states - and in fact, there are a few different rescue organizations whose purpose it is to pull dogs from the sadly overburdened shelters in southern states and place them for adoption in the northeast, as seen in the Animal Planet series, Last Chance Highway. 

I also have an artist friend working on a badge for me, so that if anyone else wants to participate, they can do so, and put the badge on their blog.  If you don't want to participate, but do want to suggest a shelter that you'd like featured in your particular state, then that's great, too, and I'll certainly take those suggestions or requests under advisement. 

And so, tomorrow .... Alabama.  I already have a dog picked out and just need to place a call to Huntsville Animal Services to get the scoop on my dog of choice.  Have to pick out a cat next.

Have a great day, everyone!