#NerdsUnite: The secret life of a veterinary technician
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Lindsay. She and I met ... well, somewhere in the social space. I think we might have started talking through this site directly, then through facebook - maybe ... I'm not sure. But she's awesome. I talk to her on twitter almost every day, and she's really rad and TOTALLY a big huge animal lover. Like crazy huge!! In these series of posts she will be talking about her life and random adventures with sometimes more than two legged creatures. I guess there's only one more thing left to say ... HIT IT LINDSAY!! </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @TheCraftafarian
Hey Nerds!! What's shakin??
Today I wanted to talk to you guys about something that is VERY important to me. Animal rescue!! This past month I have attended three adoption events. The first two were with my clinic and only Orange County (FL) Animal Services (OCAS) as a rescue at Martin Federal Credit Union. My clinic was there to give freebies to anyone who adopted that day. I gave them bags of treats, free flea prevention, and then a voucher to go to our clinic for their first exam and first dose of flea and heartworm prevention for free! This last one I went to today. It was put together by OCAS but there were 12 or 13 other rescue groups there today as well as other animal type vendors. My clinic was there to give out the above mentioned goodies as well as leashes, more treat bags, shampoo samples, and free medical advice from me! I really enjoy being at these events and I get to take my dog River!!
Anyway, my point of this post is to share a little bit about myself -actually this is something I'm kind of ashamed to admit, until about 6 months or so ago I was of the belief (as well as many other animal people) that we shouldn't worry too much because you can't save them all (and that doesn't mean don't try, it just means to me that myself and other fellow vet staff shouldn't be upset about every pet we can't save or rescue). Which is ridiculous that I've actually said that in the past (partially to console a fellow tech who was devastated that we had to euthanize a sick kitty) because I have taken in day old kittens and nursed them back to health only to turn around and find them homes. 
I could have taken them to the local county shelter which would euthanize them for being too young (that's fucked up right? You get to die because you're a baby, fuck that shit--that's me now talking).
I have personally gotten up EVERY TWO HOURS to bottle feed and stimulate a homeless orphaned kitten. I'm talking one day old to maybe five days old tops (I've done it a few times aka It's not my first rodeo..haha I love that line!), when they are that young its similar to having a newborn child (so I am told, I have no freaking clue!). When I say I feed them every 2 hours that doesn't mean I get to sleep for two hours and get up. That means I get to sleep for an hour and 15 mins to maybe an hour and a half. Because you have to get up, make the formula, heat the formula, stimulate before and after eating, reheat the warm water bottles to keep said baby warm...this can all take up to 45 minutes FOR ONE KITTEN. Holy crap I can't imagine taking care of an entire litter, I don't know how other kitten raisers do it!
Anyway--the thing that actually shocked my soul into realizing that it IS important to at least try a little in saving each and every one (not necessarily by taking them in yourself but networking to find a foster home, rescue, or even funds to get the little orphan some help-another reason why social networking is AMAZING) is a video called Shelter and the quote toward the end.
Here is the video:
Shelter from Kelly Sloan on Vimeo.
This is the blog post that goes with the video
I found these links when I began researching the No Kill Advocacy Movement. I truly truly believe in this No Kill idea. Please look into the links I have provided. Adopt a Shelter Pet. Don't buy! 30% of shelter pets are PUREBRED dogs or cats. And anywhere from 30-70% (90% in some places) of shelter pets that are healthy and adoptable are euthanized due to space limitations or other reasons.
Recently I made this to remind myself of my passion. It's a photo I actually took at the shelter (its was a kill shelter, sorry I had to tell you). This poor little (big) guy was so depressed he woudn't even come to the front of the kennel to say hi. The blurred gray in the photo are the bars of his kennel. This dog is a purebred St. bernard. He completely broke my heart. This quote is my mission statement and when I heard it on the video I wanted to cry. I wanted to take back all the times that I said don't worry we can't save them all. And maybe we can't, but we damn sure better try.
Please remember, that we are their voice. They are helpless and need us. Adopt. Report animal abuse. Rescue. CARE.
Every. Life. Counts.
And if it doesn't matter to you, it does to me, and the ones I save.
Peace.Love.Pawprints
<3 Lindsay @thecraftafarian
#nerdsunite
