The bad news

Nevada is at the top of the list of homeless animals in the US.  We are 5th, after New Mexico, Idaho, Colorado, and Montana, with 2,000 animals taken in for every 100,000 residents.  According to Lied Animal Foundation, they take in more animals than any other shelter in the country. It's horrible to think about the many dogs who just weren't lucky enough to be valued by their humans. With so many homeless animals, I think we become a little numb to it.  But, if you take a moment to imagine your dog being left at the shelter, locked in a concrete kennel, with other terrified dogs, surrounded by barking all day and no human interaction, your heart will no doubt break.  These dogs are no different, other than their humans didn't care about them. Sometimes I wish there was some educational requirement to getting a dog, but I don't know if compassion and empathy can be taught.  

What can we do about it?

We are lucky to have many good people here, who are helping animals.  I don't even know how many rescues we have, locally, but we have a LOT.  Thankfully!  But these rescues need money to keep doing what they are doing.  Many dogs that are dumped, are dumped due to medical conditions, and the ones who are healthy, still need food, training, and routine medical exams.

Most of us aren't in a position to just send automatic monthly payments to all the rescues or even to one. That is why I love doing fundraisers! It allows you to donate money and get something that you already needed to get, like a calendar, or maybe your senior dog has never had a portrait session and you don't want to wait until it's too late.  Fundraisers are a win-win!  

Below are the fundraisers I did in 2021, which was my first official year as a full-time pet photographer.  I'm hoping with your help, to raise more money in 2022.  If you run a rescue or would like to support rescue and have ideas, feel free to reach out to me.  Even if it's just to photograph a foster dog, I'm happy to do it.