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The Critter Coalition
Welcome to Kate's Soapbox.....
Well, fellow travelers, if you've gotten this far in life, you most likely have opinions on some things ... expressing them, however, may be a problem. Wellll, at this point in my life, NOT expressing myself is the challenge! LOL!However, this page, I hope, is going to share my most productive thoughts and feelings regarding the things that affect our finny, furry and feathery friends in some way, positive or negative, especially the ones in our desert.
And since the animals among us can not speak for themselves, given the limitations of my species, I will share here at least what I think they might want me to say for them. You can trust that I will always come from my heart and, yes, I am even open to being wrong...I am not afraid to change my mind as new information comes to light, ok? Ok...and I am not afraid to apologize if my bombast offends or I didn't get my facts straight somehow.
In fact, I invite your responses to my commentaries or "rants". Please feel free to e-mail me with your input... pro, con or just constructive information. All will be welcome ...and if your point will assist in clarifying a local issue having to do with our furry pals, then, with your permission, I will include your point of view here on this page to share with others who might be concerned as well. Maybe we can create a "Blog" if the community wants it...who knows? :)
Until we meet then, remember to speak up, especially for the animals.
Looking forward to hearing from you, Kate
Kate's Commentary:
One of the emotional difficulties of loving animals is that so many of us who do, have an extremely hard time dealing with the abuses directed toward our furry friends by an insensitive society. Our first response can be, at times almost a fury. I have, however, had to learn through time that the only way my love for them can really mean anything is for me to educate myself about what needs to be changed and work
tirelessly, within the system, to change it.
I've had to begin by knowing what support I have legally ... for as much as I might fantasize about being the "vanquisher" of all who starve, beat, or otherwise inflict cruel, inhumane behavior on a little "fur soul" of any kind ... the Courts frown severely on this kind of vigilante approach and even without that aspect, in the end I would not be happy living with knowing I had acted violently out of my pain and frustration. Ultimately, this kind of passionate response only nullifies the good heart of the one so possessed ... and, all too often, absolutely NOTHING changes for the animals.
That said, while perhaps initially less satisfying in the beginning, working within the system to change the laws that punish and prevent animal abuse is the long term and, as far as I am now concerned, most effective way to show your love for them. We can start by knowing, line by line, the California laws that support the end of animal abuse of any kind.
Here in our Coachella Valley, California, we have hundreds of animals, especially in the Summer, who are in terrible circumstances. Horses and other livestock stand, all too often, under a blazing sun in up to 120 degree heat with no access to shade. Dogs are chained in yards with no consideration of how these chains become hot, frequently burning their necks, and tangled, keeping the desperate, thirsty creature sometimes just inches away from whatever water source was left for them. Water is too often left in metal containers that become heating devices, making it actually hot enough to burn their mouths. Education of the owner or in the end, the law can change these conditions. You just have to know how to affect that change.
One thing...and I caution you here...unless you know the person and know them to be usually rational, don't, I emphasize DON'T approach them and "ball them out" about the situation. Too many people see animals as simply possessions and can become angry and defensive toward you and even furious at the animal because it's possible that the person will feel that they have now been embarrassed by them. If you see something you think needs to be changed for the good of the animal, it is best to bring a professional animal worker into the picture, trust me. If you insist on confronting, please be polite and gentle. Simply pass on the information in a helpful manner, not accusatory, ok? You won't help anyone, let alone the creature in question, by inflaming the wrong kind of person.
That said, while it can be true that some local Animal Control officers ignore these situations either out of laziness or ignorance, there are others who know what their job is, who care about doing it well and are genuinely concerned about their furry wards. I know several personally as friends and will gladly give you their names if you contact me by email as soon as you need their advice or assistance.
By thoroughly understanding the law, you can become a force for good and make a positive difference in the individual lives of these poor creatures when you see animal abuse or neglect taking place.
If ,however, you are afraid of retaliation, email me and alert me to the situation in detail and I will try and intervene for you. Animal advocacy is a part of what I have done for years and this site will hopefully make it easier to do more. But don't forget, it is you who speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and what you say for them does, in the end, speak volumes.
The following site,
Click here: Animal Cruelty Actionline,
is an excellent primer in 
what to do if you, as an animal lover, discover something happening in your community to animals that you feel should be stopped. Powerful advice and a step by step education on how to be effective. Pass it on to your friends ...
Thank you for being brave enough to speak out ...
Thank you for caring.....
Blessings, Kate
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