June is Adopt-a-Cat Month - so I have to share a wonderful friend that has been truly a God-send to me over the years.
My friend Becky Haisma and I have been friends for over 25 years. We met in Chicago and although over the years I moved back to NYC and Becky to Dallas – today life has brought us full circle and now Becky and I both live in Los Angeles.
Last year when my cat of 14 years got sick - Becky was with me through it all. She was the only person I wanted with me. She even insisted that I stay at her home for a few days after Rikki died. Even though she was actually away most of the time, she knew I needed the unconditional love only an animal can give; Animals know when you're sad and her 2 dogs (Harry & Bear) and cat (Monkey) - never left my side that whole weekend.
To read more about Paw in The City:
My friend Becky Haisma and I have been friends for over 25 years. We met in Chicago and although over the years I moved back to NYC and Becky to Dallas – today life has brought us full circle and now Becky and I both live in Los Angeles.
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| My Rikki |
To have a friend that not only gets who you are and what you need, especially when you can't…That is a friend to cherish forever.
BUT the real story isn't about what she did for me; in honor of Adopt-a-Cat month I have to tell you what Becky does for animals. Beside being vegan, she has always helped animals. Most people say they are going to do something but Becky actually does it.
What make her perfect for my amazing Wednesday Women is what she created in the Dallas City Shelter with Paws in the City.
It stated in June 2005, when Paws in the City rescued dogs and cats from the City of Dallas shelter who were being euthanized at a rate of almost 30,000 a year. They made arrangements for the City shelter to bring animals for adoption to events in September 2005.
Their mission was sidetracked by a much bigger crisis - Hurricane Katrina. They helped evacuate 22 dogs and 40 cats from a no-kill shelter in New Orleans. In fact, Becky went to Louisiana to work at an intake station as animals came in from flooded areas. A special puppy stole her heart, but when it arrived in Dallas, it had become ill with lead poisoning from swallowing gasoline in the waters. They scrambled to raise funds for the medical bills and were able to save a young life.
They even arranged for a private plane pilot to fly to Mississippi to rescue 10 dogs from a shelter that was overloaded due to the storm. Within weeks, they had almost 35 dogs and 12 cats.
That first month incubated what would become the Paws philosophy:
Paws in the City is a 501C3 all volunteer, no-kill organization and now one of the largest and most respected animal rescue groups. Although Becky now lives in LA, she continues to help animals in Los Angeles, Dallas and anywhere they need her.
Paws for a few Accomplishments:
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| Harry, Becky & Bear |
Did you know: Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats. And each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats).
My friend Becky Haisma - has saved and rescued countless animals over the years . She is a remarkable person – the world is a better place because of her endless love and tireless work ethic.
Their mission was sidetracked by a much bigger crisis - Hurricane Katrina. They helped evacuate 22 dogs and 40 cats from a no-kill shelter in New Orleans. In fact, Becky went to Louisiana to work at an intake station as animals came in from flooded areas. A special puppy stole her heart, but when it arrived in Dallas, it had become ill with lead poisoning from swallowing gasoline in the waters. They scrambled to raise funds for the medical bills and were able to save a young life.
They even arranged for a private plane pilot to fly to Mississippi to rescue 10 dogs from a shelter that was overloaded due to the storm. Within weeks, they had almost 35 dogs and 12 cats.
That first month incubated what would become the Paws philosophy:
We are willing to share our resources with like minded groups.
We stand ready to assist in a crisis.
We will not abandon animals that need help the most.
We work harder for hard-to-place pets
and we find ways to raise additional money when necessary
to help animals that have no where else to turn.
Paws in the City is a 501C3 all volunteer, no-kill organization and now one of the largest and most respected animal rescue groups. Although Becky now lives in LA, she continues to help animals in Los Angeles, Dallas and anywhere they need her.
Paws for a few Accomplishments:
- Reducing the number of animals killed at the City of Dallas Animal Shelter by having them attend our off-site adoption events AND pulling animals on death row. Besides the SPCA, Paws in the City saves more dogs and cats from the City of Dallas shelter than any other organization.
- Increasing the number of animals adopted each and every year.
- Having the unique fundraisers such as the annual gala,Top Hat & Tails, which has sold out every year.
- Taking in dogs and cats that other organizations overlook due to illness, age or breed. For example, heart-worm positive dogs who might otherwise have been killed at the city shelter or taking in older dogs or cats or mixed breeds of all sizes. The City shelter counts on them as a last resort.
- Creating a training program for our dogs so that no dog is in our program due to behavioral issues for very long. They are are committed to their emotional and mental well being as well as their physical needs. They have rehabilitated many dogs who developed issues due to human neglect and abuse, giving them a second chance.
- The organization now has over 150 active volunteers.
To read more about Paw in The City:
http://www.pawsinthecity.org/about/mission-history.htm
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