Running Pets Alive can be challenging. Draining. Disheartening. Even if you’re lucky enough to have someone like Kerry Clair doing all the real work. Sometimes it just seems like one big Rube Goldberg device (Sigh…those of you who don’t know what a Rube Goldberg device is — it’s a complicated machine with lots of moving parts designed to perform a simple task. Like this one from YouTube.)
Some days you get here and it seems like you’re getting your butt kicked from the second you walk in until the second you leave. There are so many animals and not enough space. Sometimes we have to choose which ones we can take, knowing the rest will probably die. Then there’s the money. We watch every penny and always seem to get blindsided by one more expense, like a $3500 electric bill. Ouch. Then there are people who mean well who insist on second guessing every decision or policy, not realizing that we have to take into consideration every animal, employee, volunteer and donor, not just their favorites. And you wouldn’t believe the minute details that we have to deal with every day. I’m a big picture guy, and some of this stuff just makes my eyes glaze over.
So lately I’ve been disappearing. It took Kerry a little while to notice, but because she’s Kerry, she had to know why. “You’ve been going to the kennel a lot lately. What’s going on?” Even today, when I went down to take some pictures for this blog, Janet asked me what I was doing “back there” in the kennel.
“Back there” is in the last kennel section. Time for some Pets Alive history. I got a phone call from Sara one day. “Someone has offered to build two walls in the kennel to make three separate sections. This will help make the dogs more comfortable and hopefully cut down on cage fighting and aggression. ”
Here’s the picture of Sara supervising the building of the first wall. So now there are three sections in the kennel. The last section is where we keep the dogs that have just come in. They are kept away from the rest of the dogs until we are sure they aren’t bringing anything in. So the back section has our newest guests.
So when things start to get me down, I feel like I’m going to start twitching, swearing, drooling, or whatever else, I walk down to the kennel and quietly slip into the back section. A month or so ago three huge boxes of dog toys came in from one of our generous supporters. I remember the day distinctly because I watched Jasper jump into the box, burrow in and pull up a woman’s shoe chew toy.
Many of these toys ended up in the last section of the kennel in a couple of huge tubs like the one to the right here.
Still wondering about my secret life?
Here you go…I slip into that back room, pull the cover off the toybox, pick a dog and open his kennel gate. Of course the big metal separating door is closed and secured and all of the kennels are locked tight. And we play until one of us gets tired. I throw a hundred tennis balls to the far end of the kennel, toss snake shaped chew toys into the air and let the dog catch them, sit on the floor and rub behind his ears or her tummy.
Today I chose Lego, the lab mix. He ran the length of the kennel a few times, sniffed his kennelmates, fetched some tennis balls and managed to fit two large plush toys in his mouth at the same time.
It was great. We played for quite a while, and he ran to me, tail wagging, and got some love and attention. Or was that the other way around?
So if you wander into the office and I’m not around, you know where I am. Living my secret life.
Matt…Thank you. Thank you for all you do…because without you there loving and caring for these cats and dogs they would probably be dead. The task that you, Kerry and all the volunteers do is very overwhelming…I admire you all. We need to get the word out…need to come up with some fundraising ideas..we need to get money in the till to take care of those $3500 electric bills, food bills and equipment repair bills. We need to get you out of the last kennel…
Matt
You are the best………….
Mom
Matt is a very complex person. A lot goes on, in his heart, and in his brain, when he’s “back there”–betya. Animals will be saved–their LIVES will be saved–they will no longer feel pain, anxiety, terror, despair–because Matt will find a way.
This quiet guy–I love him. He does so much, so quietly.
Matt;
As disheartening as it may seem at times you are working towards a better future for all. Keep the faith in knowing what you do and why. I recall feeling about the same MANY years ago, wanting to just go home and cry. Now, the future is building with momentum.
We are here & call upon those you need without hesitation. I am doing all I can to get you through some hard times but don’t let go!
Let’s get some of these fund raisers going; have you thought about a benefit (inviting you donors) to a “Holiday event” for the Pets Alive animals?
I love reading this blog! Sorry to hear you are overwhelmed, Matt, but you are doing a good thing, God’s work. If you need to play with the doggies for your sanity, then I think you should do it!
Now, as I am one of those well meaning people that like to second guess decisions (or as I like to put it- make suggestions), I am going to make a couple (forgive me!!). If I was going to adopt, I would rather visit a place with “regular hours,” even if it was just one day a week. I do, however, understand that there are many details that I do not know, and that there is a reason for your appointment only hours. I’m the type of person that, if adopting, likes to walk in, look around, and think about it on my own without causing a ruckus. My point is that there are people out there who might be quickly turned off by this and adopt elsewhere.
Second suggestion- please consider putting on your website wishlist and/or forum the actual brands of items you use. This way, you won’t get wasted donations. I’d rather know EXACTLY what you guys need (for example, Iams instead of 9 Lives) so my stuff gets used now rather than be used as a treat, or out of desperation, later. I’m saving my pennies and buying Iams now, just so you know!
Hopefully that didn’t stress you out! Take care!
Erin, Ah, but that is exactly the type of person we want to discourage. While YOU are a great person, what if it was some low life. They come in, fall in love with a dog, then fill out the application and we reject them. Now they already love a dog and want it, maybe promised their kids and there is NO WAY we are giving these people an animal. Now what? Will they come back after “hours” and try to STEAL the dog? Do damage on our property? Cause us other problems? Better that we NOT have them here in love with an animal and have to tell them no. better we tell them online before they meet us or us them.
As to brands that is a GREAT suggestion. I think I already do that where it matters though. here is our wishlist:
http://www.petsalive.com/wishlist.html
I think I list everything with a brand name if it matters to us. if it doesn’t I don’t put a brand name.
I could definitely add the food there though!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Matt, I have so much respect for all of the hard-work and dedication that you and Kerry put into Pets Alive! I know all of the pets there get a lot of love and attention from the volunteers and employees, but I never suspected that you had a covert petting operation of your own going own for the new kids in town. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for all that you do. You really do make a difference in the lives of many animals and people, myself included. Keep up the great work!
Chris from Rusty’s place has a wonderful concept; getting some fund raising events going!
Now who on here has some talents they are willing to offer to get this out?
Also the link Kerry supplied for their wish list everyone should pass around to their friends via email. Ask each of these friends to forward it to others to get it passed around. Or provide a link to this website for each of your friends to read and tell them why it’s important to you that everyone gets involved in any capacity they can.
Forward the e-mail subscription of help needed to friends/family/co-workers. If they are too far away geographically to help for an event, see if they can make a small donation to so they can purchase basic supplies.
Spread the word,the mission, and all the hard work many put in to running, helping, and supporting Pets Alive!
Matt, you know we could always have a bake sale, or we can have a donations jar at the liqour stores to help with raising money for Pets Alive. Just a thought to help.
Hey, it is Tim, Sara’s son. I watched my mother build that organization, struggle through years of inadequate funding, insufficient help, and little to no consideration from the Animal Rights community. The fact that you have all pulled together to continue her work is very reassuring. It cannot go on without facing its share of adversity and struggles, this is the nature of the self-absorbed “Human Condition”, sad to say. The facts are that you’re all doing a job that, from its inception, was never quite appreciated, so I salute you. However; to continue, as a team, with a group of wealthy supporters is not quite as difficult or uncertain. It was far more taxing on one lone woman who sacrificed her life, family and friends all to keep these animals alive and out of harms way.
She deserves to be Praised, Appreciated and Respected! All of you are only able to do what you do, WHERE you do it because of Sara Whalen, the Founder of Pets Alive. DON’T forget where this all began, and try to keep going in the same spirit. I wish you all the best of luck, Keep In Touch.
Tim Whalen
Los Angeles, Ca.
I love the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great blog posts.