Monday, April 22, 2013

National Volunteer Week

This week is National Volunteer Week. It was established here in the U.S. in 1974, and was created as a way to direct national attention on the power and vital necessity of volunteerism in our country.

Truer words were never written. Yet I think it's even more true when considering animal shelters.


These organizations could not function without the help of the many unsung heroes who:
     arrive before the sun to walk a dog...
     swab out dirty kennels...
     dump box after box of used litter...
and who give their hearts to countless needy animals, praying they will finally find a home.


Please take a moment this week to thank a volunteer. Better yet, why not go to your local shelter and offer to help out?
***

For those of you in the Kansas City area, we'd like to spotlight one unusual effort being done by a group of cat volunteers city wide. I call it unusual because it's the first time ever that volunteers from six different shelters have banded together to raise funds - and awareness - for the needs of homeless cats in K.C.

This fundraiser is a VIP "Cat Mojo" Reception with guest speaker Jackson Galaxy, star of Animal Planet's "My Cat From Hell."





We call it "Cat Mojo" because that's what Jackson calls these educational talks about cat behavior. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for anyone who is a cat lover. It's also incredibly valuable for anyone who is a cat volunteer


Everyone knows shelters are stressful for animals. It's especially true for cats, who tend to be more resistant to change than dogs. As volunteers know, stress can cause cats to behave in a way that is truly counter to their personalities. This, or course, makes it that much more difficult for them to find a home. 

Jackson's Cat Mojo lessons will help you understand cats on a deeper level. After hearing what Jackson has to say, don't be surprised if you find yourself approaching, understanding and connecting with cats at a completely new level.

As a result, you'll be helping to make each cat's time in the shelter a much less stressful experience -- and probably shortening their length of stay in the process.

At first glance, you might think the tickets are a bit pricey.
But let me walk you through what you spend - and what you get:

Tickets cost $50 per person, but they include a $15.95 copy of Jackson's book, Cat Daddy, a private Cat Mojo presentation, admission to the private reception (really good hors d'ouvres and wine - I just sampled them last night!), a chance to meet Jackson personally, and reserved seating at the author event that follows.

By buying a ticket to this event, you're doing good on several different levels:
  • you'll be hearing information that will help you understand your own cats better
  • if you're a volunteer, you'll be equipping yourself with tools that will make you more effective at your shelter, and...
  • you'll be helping to raise funds for six outstanding animal organizations in Kansas City!

All proceeds from this event will benefit these six Kansas City organizations:






22 comments:

  1. What a fantastic idea, I wonder if they do that in the UK :) xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bravo to all those who help out. Great idea. We too wonder if they do that here. Have a marvelous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's a great idea for a fundraiser...Recently saw Jackson Galaxy on TV for the first time...What an interesting speaker he will be

    ReplyDelete
  4. what a great fundraiser. mom says if we lived closer she would SO be there.....

    a good reminder about volunteer week - so many places couldn't function with out them.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mommy would so pay the $50! But to do that, she would have to pay lots of $$$ to get there first.
    *gulp* That's A LOT of treats!

    ReplyDelete
  6. My human wishes she could go... except she is in Los Angeles!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It sounds like a good and informative evening out. Volunteerism is necessary these days more than ever, due to less money for vital institutions.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kudos to the many volunteers in the various shelters - you do great and amazing work. M said she's love to go to see that, but maybe some time it will come to WI.

    ReplyDelete
  10. *sob*

    I would SOO go to this if it were ANYWHERE near me.. but no.. I have to live in the boonies.. what's with that anyway?? but anyway.. i can't go.. *sob*

    I hope you have a WONDERFUL time!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The volunteers are angels without wings!

    ReplyDelete
  12. In some cases volunteers run the show!

    And Jackson's show sounds great!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yup volunteers are the unsung heros what a pawsome celebration they got going.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mom says she wishes she still lived in KCMO so that she could attend this event. Hope you have a huge turnout. Jackson Galaxy rocks! Purrs and hugs from the kitties at The Cat on My Head, Lily Olivia, Mauricio Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette

    ReplyDelete
  15. These are the places I want to attend. Unfortunately we don't have that many dog or cat seminars where we're at.

    I do hope the seminar will be a success.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I had no idea about this special week! Thanks for sharing!
    Purrs

    ReplyDelete
  17. If only kansas is just a drive away... Momma is interested to attend seminars/talks like this. We don't have much of those where we're at.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a brilliant idea!

    ReplyDelete
  19. That does sound like a wonderful event. It is so great that the organiztions have gotten together to do this event. Hope it is a huge success.

    ReplyDelete
  20. what a wonderful event

    As I read this I think of all the volunteers that help the organization that rescued Lucy and her family... without such good people.... I dont even want to think

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a cool fundraiser, we hope that it is very successful and raises a lot of funds and awareness!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yay!
    Good stuff! Our Dad does his part here in PA!

    ReplyDelete

Coolio! A comment? For US?