Pet Lovers: Today is Remember Me Thursday

[joeybee12]

On Thursday Sep. 26, global candle-lighting ceremonies will honor the homeless animals that lost their lives over the past year (approximately 3.4 million in the United States, according to estimates by the Humane Society of the United States). The initiative, called Remember Me Thursday, is spearheaded by Mike Arms of the Helen Woodward Animal Center, who, since 1999, has helped find homes for 8.3 million pets through his International Pet Adoptathon and International Home 4 the Holidays programs. He is joined by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, representing 150-plus animal welfare organizations, and by Maddie’s Corner, an animal welfare organization founded by Broadway and television actress Kristin Chenoweth.

The event will coincide with the first day of the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s International Animal Welfare Conference in La Jolla, Calif., and candles will be lit in ceremonies at shelters throughout the United States, as well as in Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Thailand and Japan.

"Only 30% of pets in U.S. homes come from rescue facilities,” said Jessica Gercke, PR manager for the Helen Woodward Animal Center. "Millions of beautiful, healthy orphan pets die every year without the benefit of a loving home. These pets can be purebred, well-behaved, loving animals but they don’t get a second chance because there is so little awareness of the types of animals available at local rescue facilities.”

In addition to attending a local ceremony, animal lovers are encouraged to promote Remember Me Thursday and advocate for homeless pets by changing their Facebook profile pictures to the Remember Me Thursday icon and spreading the word through Twitter (#LIGHTFORPETS) and other social media.

http://www.catchannel.com/news/2013/9/remember-me-thursday.aspx

http://www.animalcenter.org/events/remember-me-thursday/

[leftynyc]

1. Kick for important day

I will go home tonight and hug my two rescue kitties tight.

[joeybee12]

2. Thanks...

And that's a great idea!

[leftynyc]

7. My two rescue babies

They turn 7 next week - Butch and Sundance

<a href=".html" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Butch & Sundance in bed photo BUTCH22.jpg"/></a>

[joeybee12]

9. Awww...they're beautiful

Here's my brood...all except India (orange tabby) found as homeless kitties...India had been abandoned by her owner. The big gray is Ashley, now 2. The other three are only a few months old and getting fixed tomorrow...

[leftynyc]

16. Awwww - gorgeous

My two were found in a box outside a pet store one morning 6-1/2 years ago. At least they had the decency to drop them somewhere they would be found quickly. Mom and the other 3 siblings were also adopted the same day. Pet Rescue does an excellent job advertising in our area.

[joeybee12]

18. Glad there was a happy ending for the entire family...

Sam and Beau (who I originally thought were both makes, hence the names) I'm pretty sure are sisters, found at the same location but at different times...about 10 days apart...it was at the colony I feed and found other kittens over the next few months, but none that matched Sam and Beau's age, and so there were only two at that age, the odds are the're from the same litter, because only one surviving from 2 different litters would be pretty uncommon.

[MoonRiver]

3. Thank you for this.

My heart breaks for all the homeless animals in our world.

[joeybee12]

5. You're welcome...it is heartbreaking...

Hopefully enough people care to make a dent in the problem.

[Paper Roses]

30. Me too. Wish I could adopt another rescue kitty.

Cost of food and Vet care prevent me from doing so. My kitty is a shelter kitty. She sits next to me at the computer and gives me her 2 cents worth. Expects pats or food all the time. I am alone and love her company.
Can you imagine how many cats and dogs would benefit if every one of us would give up a little each week and offer a home to these wonderful animals?

I am on Social Security, no extra $$$ but I would go without food to feed my kitty.

[MoonRiver]

32. My little dog means everything to me.

She is very old and having a lot of problems, but we're here for her to the end. It's been so difficult lately that I will probably have to wait awhile, and rest, before adopting another one.

What you said reminded me of that old song "If everyone lit just one little candle, what a bright world this would be."

[narnian60]

4. I found that 30% number surprising.

Everyone I know who has a dog or cat got it from a shelter or rescue facility (or adopted it as a stray).

[joeybee12]

6. My first reaction was it was high...

Although like you, most people I now adopt rescues...maybe Im thinking back to when I was younger and pet stores were everywhere!

[ehrnst]

28. I'm thinking they're including fish, gerbils, birds, lizards

and other pets that are usually purchased.

[FloridaJudy]

34. As did I

All my critters have come via the Humane Society, the pound, or just shown up on my doorstep "Howdy. I live here now.." I can understand people who have allergies adopting a purebred, but I like big mutts and I cannot lie. Almost everyone I know has a rescue or a retread. The only dog breeder I know is my sister's friend who raises guide-dog puppies (and there's a huge waiting list for the drop-outs). And all my companions have been spayed. Puppies and kittens are cute, but there aren't enough homes for all of them. I have no intention of adding to the problem.

[rurallib]

8. We love our rescued critters

That is basically all we have ever had.
We got a real dilly last time. The cat is nuts, just plain nuts

[joeybee12]

10. I love crazy cats...

They keep you hopping!

[rurallib]

12. just wish he could read a clock

[joeybee12]

13. That's like Blue here...

Four months old and she even startles her 2 5-month-old step-sisters she gets so wound up.

[Gormy Cuss]

11. I wish that I could house a dozen or more cats.

If I had the money I'd build a few cat palaces in the yard and construct long, protected outdoor runs for them to roam. I'd also need the money to keep their shots current and pay for other necessary vet care. I probably could afford the food for that many cats but not everything else.

Instead I have one shelter-adopted cat with special care needs.

[joeybee12]

14. It's good you have him (or her)

Yeah, with my Powerball winnings (which I'm SURE to get someday) I'm going to do what you want to do!

[Gormy Cuss]

24. You can have a satellite facility in my yard.

His highness will still own my house though.

[joeybee12]

25. I'll hold you to that!

[leftynyc]

17. I have every intention

of becoming crazy cat lady when I retire.

[azurnoir]

27. Then you'll be 'needing' one of these

my daughters gave me one a few years ago I love it

[leftynyc]

29. Awesome!!!

We get our own action figures!!! Terrific gift.

[Emit]

15. K&R

for the all these poor critters

[joeybee12]

19. Thanks.

[napkinz]

20. also, stop puppy mills ----->

https://www.causes.com/stoppuppymills

[joeybee12]

21. Definitely!!

[RebelOne]

22. I will be remembering my three dogs who went to doggy heaven. n/t

[joeybee12]

23. Awwwwww...

I'm sure they're enjoying themselves/

[FloridaJudy]

26. Say hi to Kaylee

An eight-year-old German Shepherd/Golden mix. She rescued me last Christmas.

Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.

[joeybee12]

31. What a pretty girl!

[napkinz]

33. K&R

nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

35. kick