Interview - VetShopper of the Month

VetShopOnline is constantly on the look out for VetShoppers who are out there making a difference in society and the community. I am pleased to announce that we have spotted one. Recently we interviewed Deborah Albert, long time VetShopOnline customer, as our first VetShopper.

Deborah is a surgeon from Florida with a passion for animals. She is an outgoing,
adventurous person, who loves her pets. At home, Deborah has nine adopted animals plus an elaborate salt water fish aquarium. In her spare time, she volunteers at the Big Cat Animal Sanctuary. She has been shopping with VetShopOnline for a number of years.

This interview resonates with our concern about pets being hit hard by the rough economy. Shelters across the United States are experiencing higher intake rates than normal.

And it is on the increase. Yes, pets are having it rough too. With foreclosures, families moving into new homes with no-pet rules and increasing pet food prices, a record number of pet owners are being forced to surrender their beloved pets into shelters.


VSL : Currently, how many pets do you have?
Deborah : I have 7 cats, 2 dogs. They were all rescued. Innumerable fish, corals, invertebrates and anemones. I have a 650 gallon fish tank, 250 gallon reef tank, and a 37 gallon tank with a mantis shrimp

VSL : How long have you had these pets?
Deborah : I have had pets all my life. Right now my oldest is Bandit aged 11, a shepherd lab, chow mix.

VSL : Are you more of a dog person or cat person?
Deborah : I am definitely more of a cat person.


VSL : Which is your favourite pet? Why?
Deborah : My favorite is Zuri; I have never had such an affectionate cat. He is a great cuddler

VSL : Are all these pets adopted from a shelter?
Deborah :Yes.

VSL : Tell us why you adopt or rescue?
Deborah : I feel very strongly about rescuing animals. Millions are killed in the US every year or languish in rescues waiting for a good home. If I could I would take them all home. Actually I hope when I retire to open a rescue.

   



VSL : Having said all that, how hard is it for you to walk past the animal in a shelter knowing you cannot take them all home with you? How do you cope with it?Deborah : As far as passing by animals at the sanctuary, I volunteer at a sanctuary for Big Cats so passing them by knowing I cannot take them home is not an issue. None of these cats should ever belong to a person.
VSL : What advice or tips can you offer pet lovers out there on how to adopt or rescue a pet? Why should they adopt?
Deborah : I think it important that someone who rescues an animal thinks with their head and not just their heart; to be sure they can make a lifelong commitment to the well being and happiness of the animal. Too often the cute puppy turns into a large dog and people don't want them anymore (that is what happened to mine. I adopted both as adults, Bandit is 80 lbs, Beau 95lbs).

As far as why people should adopt, there is nothing like the unconditional love of an animal. I can't imagine my life without them.

VSL : From your years of experience in animal shelters, does the economic turmoil increase the numbers of pet owners who give up their pets? Do the number of animals in the shelter increase more than ever before?
Deborah :The economic crisis has had a definite impact and more and more people are unfortunately giving up their pets. It is a real tragedy, which is part of the reason I took in 2 more (cats). They were part of a litter of 11 that was dropped off n a box at a feed store, which often means they wind up as alligator bait! It also points to the importance of spaying or neutering your pets.

VSL : Do you have any comment about the role of VetShoponline as an online supplier of pet meds and supplies - especially in tough times like these?Deborah : I am very thankful that there is Vetshoponline to provide affordable medications, it makes a big difference, especially when you have as many as I do. I also wonder if there would be some special pricing available for the Big Cats since we do give them flea medicine every month, and we have about 140 cats.
VSL : Deborah, we would love to help and we will talk about this more.

We are pleased to present Deborah a gift voucher worth $20 to shop at VetShopOnline.com.

40 Goats for New Year!

A couple of years ago, Dr Mark and I were looking for a charity to support each holiday season.

We wanted a charity which allowed us to combine our love of animals with our desire to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

One of our team suggested the Smiles Program from World Vision.  

 

My family has been sponsoring children through World Vision for a number years, so we knew that World Vision is a great non profit organization, with a proven track record of helping the poorest of the poor.

The Smiles Program allows us to connect directly with some of the communities that World Vision supports, by donating livestock (chickens, sheep, goats, cows and so on) to communities that need it most, in places like Afghanistan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Malawi, Chad and Lebanon.

Following the "teach a man to fish" philosophy, the Smiles Program is a "hand up, not a hand out"! The animals the recipients receive provide both direct benefits (such as milk to drink and wool for clothing) and also economic benefits (because the produce can also be sold).

We particularly like the fact that World Vision also provides communities with education about animal husbandry and proper care of livestock, so we know the recipients will give the animals they receive a good home.

Each year, we try to better our donation from the year before. This year, we donated 40 goats through the program, helping almost double the number of families our donation helped last year!  At the start of each year, it makes us feel that we are putting something back in, and helps those who need it most. Thank you for your support of VetShopOnline.com through 2008 which enabled us to make such a donation and we look forward to serving you further in 2009.