Start with your animal rescue why.
According to the Humane Society of the U.S. statistics, in 2012 there were 162 million pets in the United States alone. 62% of american households had at least one pet with many being multiple pet households. In other words, americans in general have an ever growing bond with their pets. Whether they were raised with pets or discovered their unconditional love at another point in their lives, animals have become important to them. When I discuss animal rescue with people I usually start out with a question “Are you familiar with animal rescue or know anyone that does animal rescue?” The answer is almost undoubtedly yes. This helps you to understand their perspective so that you can share your why to inspire them.
If you are trying to engage a new volunteer to get involved with animal rescue, what’s your pitch? Do you spend time educating them on the magnitude of the problem? 4 million companion animals are euthanized in the U.S. each year. That works out to an average of about 11,000 animals every day, 450 animals every hour, and 7 animals euthanized every minute; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Or do you maybe share with them the number of animals you or your organization have saved on a monthly or annual basis? Maybe you tell them how hard it is, how time consuming it will be, and how little money they will have in order to see if they’re up for the challenge. But often the message of why you do it doesn’t come through clearly and succinctly.
Simon Sinek is a well known motivational speaker who has a simple concept; start with why. His theory is that the most successful companies start with why, and explain the what later. His best known example that he’s used in his book and in his TED talks and YouTube videos is Apple computer who charges a hefty premium for their computers. Listen to their marketing message if they started with explaining the WHAT first. Apple would say – “We make great computers. They are beautifully designed, simple to use. Want one?” – not very inspiring is it? In their marketing, Apple actually starts with their WHY and says – “In everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo and thinking differently. We do this by making our products beautifully designed and simple to use. We just happen to make great computers. Wanna buy one?” Much different isn’t it?
Each of us as animal rescuers are walking, talking billboards for the cause. Every person we interact with is a potential new volunteer or fellow animal rescuer and we should have our “Why I Rescue” pitch down pat. Have you thought about why you rescue and how you can articulate your story to others? For me when people ask, I explain the following:
“The first time I did a rescue, I had no experience or knowledge of what I was getting into. When I met the first dog that I transported there was something about him and the way he looked at me, communicating with me on a subconscious level.
Even though we had never met me before, he was communicating his gratitude and appreciation to me in a way that neither of us could comprehend fully. Somehow, he knew that I was a part of helping him find a better life, a forever home, and a safe place to rest his weary head. People may say I’m crazy, but I am sure that the animals I’ve rescued know I am there to rescue them. Their appreciation radiates from their body, and their eyes communicate from their soul an undying thanks when they look at me.
Each one of them is special to me and thanks me in their own way before continuing on with their life’s journey, my support helping them along to their next step. I am humbled and honored by each of them, to have been a part of their journey. That is why I rescue.”
Chris Roy, Passionate animal rescue transporter and pilot.
Comments (2)
I basically started rescue when we moved from our home in Louisiana to Mississippi. A friend of mine forwarded an email about transporting dogs thinking that it would me. Well, she was right. After my first transport, I was hooked. I came to learn about rescue dogs and how badly animals in general were treated in the south. At the time I had one dog, Cosmo, a West Highland Terrier that I raised from an 10 week old puppy. After a couple of transports, I figured that Cosmo needed a companion. I started researching and eventually adopting Tyson, a West Highland Terrier, from Westie Rescue Of Missouri. Tyson’s history was another reason I firmly committed to dog transports. After you read it, you will understand.
This is the story if my Tyson, whom we adopted from Westie Rescue of Missouri. Tyson passed away on 16 April 2015. He finally succumbed to his various medical conditions. My Tyson was a stud in a puppy mill. The only time he was taken out of his cage and handled by humans was when he had to perform his “duties”. After he came home with us we learned he had major separation anxiety and he barked
whenever I left him. It was so bad that I had to sleep with him for a while before he really trusted that I wouldn’t leave him. If I didn’t find him before I left the house and told him to stay, he would panic when he didn’t find me and pee on the floor.
When he first came to live with us, he had never slept in a bed. He didn’t know what outside or nighttime was. He didn’t really like to walk on grass. He didn’t know he could jump or climb
stairs. He ate dirt. For almost two years He didn’t bark at anything unless
he was scared. I was elated that after two years he start barking at the ducks in the pond around the block. Since that day, on our afternoon walks, he would go to the pond and bark at the ducks. It made him happy. Sometimes I thought he just liked hearing the sound of his voice. He didn’t know how to play with other dogs and he never really learned how. He missed that window. He had spacial deprivation issues and only half his teeth. He was always underfoot and was my constant shadow, except when my husband was making dinner, then he was front and center in the kitchen. Half his teeth had to be pulled due to poor hygiene and trying to chew his way out of his cage. I had to brush them every day to ensure he kept the ones he had.
Approximately two years after we adopted him, we discovered he had pulmonary fibrosis (scar tissue in his lungs), diabetes insipidus, an enlarged heart with a weak valve and arthritis in his tail. I attributed these ailments to inbreeding. My first thought was that I could return him to Westie Rescue of Missouri, but he had been with us for two years by then and I considered him family. Besides, when I looked into his eyes my heart melted and I concluded that he deserved the same chance at a life that Cosmo had. Despite his limitations, he was a trooper! Playful and loving, He was on several medications and we were still working
through some of his psychological issues that cropped up from time to time and it looked as if those would stay with him for the remainder of his life. I know he had nightmares at the very least. It was a lot of work, anger,
frustration and effort. But it was worth it to me when I saw the look in his eyes after he bolted up out of a dead sleep startled, confused and frightened and I would say “It’s okay, you are safe with me now”. He would grunt and go back to sleep.
One Morning in April 2015, we were getting ready to go for our morning walk and I noticed he was having trouble breathing. I thought “this will pass” as it had several times previously. When I returned with my other Westie, Cosmo, he wasn’t any better. I rushed him to the vet and after several hours of oxygen and medication, my vet told me that he had only about a month to live. I inquired about his condition and she said ”he won’t get any better”. I didn’t want him to suffer and made the decision to put him to sleep. When Dr. Brenda was administering the drugs, I whispered in his ear that, I loved him and after he passed I would rescue another, starting the process over again. When he stopped breathing, the mucus and blood that had accumulated in his lungs leaked out of his nose and mouth, then puddled onto the counter. Dr. Brenda looked at me and said “you made the right decision”.
I was heart broken, thought I would never stop crying and felt like I was just going through the motions. But, I came to realize that we had given him, probably the best 7 years he ever had. I think of him often and usually tear up when I do. In May of that year, we adopted Tate, who was a 2 year old rescue from Westie Rescue of Missouri. Tate has his own set of issues that I have to deal with. But after he passes……
Every animal I transport saves them from the life Tyson had in the puppy mill or worse. I love my dogs and think that every animal deserves a chance to have a safe, loving home where they know they are loved and valued.
Kory Chatelain
Thank you Kory for sharing your story. I absolutely agree that every animal you transport is lucky to have you as a volunteer helping to save them from a life of misery. You are amazing that you have done this for so many years and we are very glad to support you. Thank you for everything you’re doing.