HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

I have been looking for more ways to spread the word about this blog, and one popular choice is Pay Per Click advertising.  For the uninitiated, a site owner contributes a certain amount of money to purchasing ads on websites and are charged according to the number of clicks an ad gets.   This is very popular on Google.   Recently, Network Solutions, who is the domain registrar with one of the longest histories, got into the internet marketing game.    The jury is still out for me on this, but I admit the Network Solutions name makes me turn my head a little.  In fact, the very first domain we had registered in the 90s was purchased through them.    In reviewing their  program, it seems that they offer a more comprehensive plan, such as keyword research, site analysis, and ad copy.  You don’t want your whole campaign crashing and burning based on something only you think is catchy.    The other positive is that if your site deals with a local business, you won’t be placed on sites that will bring you calls for a plumber from five states away.

The  service may seem a bit pricey for sites that revolve around personal hobbies or blogging, but if your site is also about your livelihood, such a high percentage of business comes from the internet these days, it could be well worth it to you.

Are you looking to make new friends?

Looking for a way to fill your spare time?

Looking for likeminded people who you can make a difference with?

Try out VolunteerMatch.org.

Organizations small and large, in your own backyard, and 1,000 of miles away have hundreds of unique volunteer opportunities.   Whether you can drive, you are good with your hands, or you are looking for something you can do from home - you will not be disappointed.  You can let the organization know you are available right on the site.   Organizations range from orphanages to animal sanctuaries to anything else you can imagine.  Try it out!

If you have a charity website, you are often tempted to look for volunteer help and deep discounts to maintain fiscal responsibility. There are some things, however you have to pay for to make sure that there are no breaks in service. Webhosting is one of those things. It is great to get a website that is hosted free, or a local business provides you, but then no one is accountable should your site go down, or the person granting the service leave the company. You may have to start all over.

It is difficult sometimes to determine which is the best web hosting for you. There is an article resource at WebHostingRating.com that helps you sort it all out. Look in particular at the articles concerning the benefits and pitfalls of cheap webhosting services.  I, for one, dissuade people from using free hosting services.  The primary reason is because there is no guarantee that your site will always be up, as stated prior, or it will have the bandwidth to support your traffic.  The other reason is something I have not thought about but is highlighted in an article. Sometimes “free” sites are breeding grounds for malware. Free hosts are trying to combat it by limited the number of accounts an individual can have, but it is difficult to police.

It might save you some headache researching a little bit first before venturing out with your own spot on the web.

Recently, this post was featured as a “Best of Craigslist” at  http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/bos/762808006.html.  The author is not listed, but I would like to thank them.  All I know is that they are somewhere in the Boston area.  If everyone would read this when considering giving up a dog or a cat, there would be a lot of less heartache at the shelters

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I have a great dog. He’s a little on the fat side, but he’s really active. He’s great with kids, unless they try to pull his nubby tail. He’s really friendly to people who have food. He loves to have his teeth brushed, but is resistant to having his feet touched. He can smell a little doggy, and the tooth brushing does not appear to improve his breath, but I’ve smelled worse. When I read some of the things on this board, I wonder about other dogs out there and how they fare in the world. I’d just like to say the following:

* I recently moved. I found an apartment that was in a great neighborhood in a building with other dogs and dog friendly folks…..this was because did a little work and looked for a place that was right for me and the dog, and stumbled over this fantastic place where I now live.

* I recently got a new job that requires that I spend more time at work. I was worried that this would negatively affect my little pup, so I make an effort to get up earlier so that we can go for a good walk before I leave, and I arranged for someone to spend time with the little guy for a while during the day while I’m at work. My career chugs along and my little guy is still happy.

* I live in a tiny, tiny apartment, but this does not negatively affect the dog in any way. Granted, he is a little guy, but the fact is that between walks before and after work, and extended play time outdoors in the evening, the size of the apartment doesn’t hurt my pup’s quality of life (or mine, for that matter). He has never chewed up anything I own, broken anything in the house, or done any damage to any structure that I have lived in. He does bark a bit when people walk by my kitchen window, but mostly that’s because he’s crazy. Or maybe because he thinks that everyone loves him and maybe that person wants to come in and pet him or give him a treat. I don’t speak any dog, so I can’t ask him.

* I don’t have a high paying job (or career, for that matter), so I don’t have a lot of disposable cash, but I do have money saved in case the dog has a minor medical emergency, and the information for Care Credit in case he has a major medical emergency.

* Admittedly, I don’t have any kids (I am both unpleasant and squishy, which makes finding a baby daddy trialsome), but I distinctly remember having pets when I was a kid, and I have six brothers and sisters that my mom had to watch over. She seemed to do OK with seven kids and a dog, and while I find her an extraordinary human being, I don’t think that she has any kind of pet-care superpowers.

My dog makes me laugh and he cuddles up against me and he provides me with an opening to meet some very nice (and some very interesting) people when we’re out walking and he hides under the blankets when it thunders and lets me feel like I’m soothing him and he brings me toys to play with when he gets bored and he rolls over in the grass and reminds me how much fun it is to be alive. He gives me all of this and more, and all I do is walk him, feed him, and play with him.

I hope that all the people who post their dogs for adoption on this list have done every possible thing that they can do in order to keep it before they give up on themselves. I just want to say to all of you who think that it’s too hard to take care of you pet: YOU CAN DO IT! Your pet believes in you, and I believe in you, too!

Over the years, I have gotten one too many notes about rescues that are closing. Of course, sometimes they close for good reason - the principle parties move to another area, the organization transforms into something new, etc. In otherwords, the whole “onward and upward” reason. Also, small groups sometimes fold due to the toll it takes on people who throw so much of their life into it just burn out. The reason that sometimes rankles me is when I receive info on a group asking for donations or help because the reason for closing is that they are not allowed to have a rescue on the land or in the building they have.

A knee jerk reaction would be to say that the “system” is against them. More often than not, it really comes down to poor planning. You can’t honestly think a rescue will last long on the premises if the deed restrictions to your community indicate that you can only have three dogs. That may not seem fair, but the rules were not written necessarily by people who don’t like animals. The bottom line is, that the individual knew the rules when they decided to embark.  Another complaint is that their insurance comes after someone who lives on a half acre of land because they have twenty dogs and no kennel license. Another common misconception is that if you have a big backyard, you are qualified to run a rescue from it. Wrong again. In some neighborhoods, when housing that many pets, you would be required to have a kennel license. Or, the other scenario is if you are having meetings, having adopters come in and out, and having dogs come and go, you may be considered a business.

Before getting carried away with a vision, it is a good idea to consult with someone who knows commercial space. Whether it is in a small town, a rural area or even London, Tokyo, Boston, or Austin Commercial Space. You get the idea.  There are just so many variables of negotiating a lease, or even more so, buying the place that really is zoned for what you are doing.  Nothing is worse than getting into a lease and then finding out you cannot retrofit the space. I know Don Cox Associates handles such matters in the Austin area.

The big taboo is the word “business.” Rescuers think that it means they are being lumped in with breeders who sell dogs. On the contrary, it doesn’t mean that the group is selling for profit, it just means that their establishment is a public place.   People other than the principles of the group may be coming to visit.  While you don’t necessarily have to rent a space if the pets in the rescue’s care are all in foster homes, but it sometimes helps to have a public place with neighboring establishments that compliment it.   The space could even start out at first with a volunteer to answer the phone and to meet with potential adoptive families, even if you are not at the point of being able to have a large scale shelter.   Want to fight city hall about the pet limits in town?   More people will listen if you are a good neighbor in the business district.

I have some exciting news!

Saving Shelter Pets, Inc., is holding an online auction this coming October-November!

Donatons are currently being sought to auction off in this event. If you are an artist, crafter, collector, business owner, or just an individual with something to donate…. send an email at info (at) savingshelterpets.com with your contact information, a description of the item you would like to donate, and the item’s approximate monetary value.

**Please Note** Due to the fees involved with the charity auction site we will be using, we can only accept items valued at $20 or greater at this time.

Please spread the word so we can make this auction a huge success for all the dogs & cats helped! Saving Shelter Pets, Inc., has several wonderful programs including Spay & Neuter, Puppy Promises (puppies are intercepted from ever entering a shelter environment), Bernie’s Buddies (help for heartworm positive shelter dogs), Rescue & Transport and more!

Click the banner to travel to the SSP site, or click HERE to read previous stories from this blog on SSP.

While talking about the great charity events to take your horse too, I almost neglected where to get some gear online.  My (horse) riding boots have seen better days and my motorcycle boots just won’t cut it.   Technically, they are a closed toe shoe and my feet would be protected from being stepped on, but I don’t like to wear shoes with laces that could get caught on something.

Cavender’s Boot City sells exclusively online. You can get everything from cowboy hats to tried and true Wrangler jeans, to, of course, boots!