
Do the Right Thing: Embrace differences in adoption programs
Do the Right Thing: Embrace differences in adoption programs By: Brad Shear, CEO, Potter League for Animals 30 years ago, I started working at the front
NEWS & UPDATES
β FANNIE LOU HAMER
What does it truly mean to be resilient?
Resilience is more than bouncing backβit`s the fierce determination to reclaim what was stolen and stand tall when the world tries to silence you and turn oppression into opportunity.
βπΌ One of the most powerful examples? The Occupation of Alcatraz (1969-1971).
For 19 months, a group of Indigenous activists, led by the Indians of All Tribes coalition, occupied the abandoned Alcatraz Island. Their demand was simple yet revolutionary: recognize Native sovereignty and return stolen land.
They transformed a former prisonβa symbol of confinementβinto a beacon of resistance. They held their ground through harsh winters, government cutoffs, and media blackouts.
Their protest sparked a movement, leading to over 200 similar occupations and the eventual passage of landmark Indigenous rights laws.
Resilience looks like refusing to disappear. It looks like turning a place meant to break spirits into a platform for justice. It looks like standing firm, even when the tides of history push against you.
π§ Have you ever had to reclaim your power? Maybe not on an island, but in your life, work, or identity. Share your story belowβwhen did you dig deep and stand your ground?
#CAREequity
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Ever call your dog your kid without even thinking? Yeahβ¦ we get it π
The human-animal bond runs deep β especially when your pet becomes your source of comfort during tough times.
For this pet parent, her dog is more than just a companion. Heβs family β and the first to show up when PTSD or panic strikes.
#CAREequity #BarkAboutIt
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πΎ Shannon Novey still tears up, remembering the rescue`s arrival to take Callie away. "We`d already bought her a bed and toys…my daughter had started calling her `my sister.` Then they said we violated the contract and just…took her," she says, her voice breaking. "How is that helping dogs?"
In a recent article from USA Today @USAtoday, Jeanine Santucci explains that while shelters across America are reporting issues with overcrowding and euthanasia, many private rescues enforce adoption policies so strict they`re driving away potential forever homes. π‘
Donna Ezzell, the CEO of Carolina Poodle Rescue, firmly states the organization`s policies:
"These dogs come from severely abusive backgrounds, and our contract guarantees that they will never suffer again. If adopters cannot accept our terms, they are not suitable for our dogs." π
Animal welfare experts are concerned that strict oversight may cause more harm than benefit. "While rescues have good intentions, too much control can have negative consequences. That dog was in a loving home, but now it`s back in a kennel at a time when we are complaining about the lack of adopters," says Dr. Sandra Newbury from the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program @UWShelterMedicine who offers a different perspective.
πβπ¦Ί Emily Dyson of Waldo`s Rescue Pen @waldosrescue shares her approach:
"We use applications to start conversations, not as gotchas. If someone disagrees with a policy, we talk it through. Most people want what`s best for their pet."
The emotional toll on rejected adopters can be profound. "It`s not just about losing a pet," explains sociologist Jennifer Sinski, who studies human-animal bonds. "Families like the Noveys experience this as a moral judgment – that they`re somehow unworthy of providing love and care."
Novey`s hands shake as she shows photos of Callie. "The worst part? Knowing she`s probably still in a cage somewhere while we`re here, ready to love her." She pauses. "They talk about saving dogs, but who`s saving dogs from their rules?"
Read the full article using the link in our bio:
#CAREequity #CARENews #Adoption
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π Animals can do a lot β sniff out danger, calm anxiety, and bring endless laughs β but the real magic is how they show up as everyday loving members of our family.
π€ Take another look at the very first clip from `Bark About It` that we posted almost 2 years ago. Bark About It is our CARE Narrative series spotlighting pet parents who speak from the heart about their beloved companion animals hosted by Hakeem Ruiz, Senior Director of CARE Centers Philly/Camden.
π₯ Here`s a toast to another 2 years of heart-to-heart discussions with everyday pet parents just like you!
#CAREforEquity #BarkAboutIt #HumanAnimalWelfare
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To celebrate National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week (April 13β19), weβre proud to offer something special for our everyday heroes πΆπ
In appreciation for ACO`s, NACA members get 20% off REDI Copper β from $35 down to $28 for a 3-year certification.
Use code: NACAREDICopper20
Best part? Proceeds help fund our Direct CARE Program, providing emergency vet care access for families in need.
π§ Reach out to Dr. Alina Luna at alina@careawo.org for more info.
#ACOWeek2025 #REDICopper #VetCareForAll #CAREforEquity
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Do the Right Thing: Embrace differences in adoption programs By: Brad Shear, CEO, Potter League for Animals 30 years ago, I started working at the front
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