My Shock of the Day.

So, I've kind of done nothing in the past month to raise awareness about a cause or problem that I've seen in the world, and I don't really know why. I've kind of been caught up in my own little world of little problems to really be able to focus on anything bigger than myself. I respect myself so much more when I can raise awareness about different issues, and this one that I heard about today (so is just barely on the cusp of January for my issue of the month) is something super important.

*I will warn you now, while I always try to censor my content as to not make it too sad or disturbing, you must know this is something quite sad, but something I need to bring up.*

I was on Twitter today, and a friend of mine posted a link to something terrible. I am actually horribly ashamed and disgusted by the Province I call home, and by the city just north of here that is such a tourist attraction to many people throughout the world.

Some of you may be familiar with Outdoor Adventures Whistler. They are pretty famous up in Whistler for being the company to go to for adventures in the community doing things like Snowshoeing, ATV, Horseback riding, Snow-mobiling and, probably most famously, Dog-sledding.

Now, Outdoor Adventures Whistler is a HUGE dogsled operation. They took over Howling Dogs, a different dogsled company just this past May. From what I read in several articles today, they say they have upwards of 300 dogs in their pack, claiming that with a pack that big, you get more time with the dogs, and thus you get more for your money. After the Olympics, when they had the biggest boom of visitors to Whistler wanting to do things like that, they realized that their 300 dog pack was draining more money than they were actually making. This winter has not been kind to the company as far as the dogsleds go, so their solution?

Kill the dogs.

No. I should rephrase this. Mass murder 100 of the dogs through brutal slaughter and then throw them into a mass grave. It was reported by the employee (who is now being compensated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) that they were asked to shoot the dogs repeatedly, and if that didn't work, to cut their throats or bury them alive.

As a dog lover - this is traumatic. I feel like I should be compensated for post-traumatic stress disorder just having to read about it.

I understand that there are certain situations where euthanasia of dogs is sometimes the only way out. The SPCA doesn't have the space or money to keep thousands of unwanted dogs in their facilities and have it be safe and sanitary. It's sad, but it's true. The humane (if you can call it that) way out of this situation is not to take the dog out back and slaughter it though. They take it to the vet and have it put down through drug combination. Hundreds of dogs go through this every day when people decide they would rather buy dogs than adopt them - another thing I'd like to talk about.

There are people who breed dogs. I get this. People breed dogs for their own reasons, be it for show dogs, more breeding, or what ever. And there are people who spend THOUSANDS of dollars on these dogs, many of them just to sit at home as some kind of statement of wealth in society. 'I bought a dog worth $5000." Congratulations. You could have saved 500 dogs from impending doom. For those of you unaware, many puppies at pet stores are from puppy mills, something you SHOULD NOT support - but that's a different issue all together.

The reality of the situation is that there are THOUSANDS of dogs that need homes. Thousands of puppies, young dogs, adult dogs and senior dogs that need loving homes with loving people to take care of them and just love them.

When I live in a place that allows dogs, this is my first move. For me, it's about making myself feel good and about giving something a home that needs it badly. To take an animal in and love it whole heartedly and have it love you right back... it's something that feels amazing. Every animal, dog, cat, bird... they need to be given a home with someone who just wants to love it.

February is all about the heart, and about love. Valentine's day is such a commercial product of our society, and while I may participate, I think I might do things a little differently this year. I'm going to donate a little time and a little money to show that I love the animals I can't take home and call my own. I'm going to have a puppy for a Valentine this year, and I'd like it if you would do the same. Take an afternoon or evening and go spend some time with the dogs and cats at the shelter, or if you can't, donate a couple of dollars to show you care. Even better, go adopt or foster a puppy who needs a safe home if you can!

While the situation with Outdoor Adventures Whistler is terrible, I think it raises a serious issue in the world about the ability people have to just look at animals as items that can be thrown away when they aren't wanted. Please do something to make sure something like this doesn't happen again. Save an animal's life if you can, or at least help make sure their shelter life is as good as possible!

Some links for you:

BC SPCA - To learn about volunteering, donating or adopting through the SPCA
Pet Finder - A VERY cool website that shows you all the adoptable pets in your area!
Adopt-A-Pet - Another website that shows you adoptable pets!

Do what you can, and spread another kind of love to our furry, feathered and scaly friends this Valentine's day! =)

Blog, and be happy!

Kyleigh.