The effects of Abandoned and Abused Animals

It’s a Humane Issue

50 states have in-acted laws against those who abuse animals, including felonies.  Animal cruelty comes in several different forms, with neglect being the most common, followed by animal hoarding and intentional physical abuse. It happens in both rural and urban places. Treating an animal badly is linked to other bad behaviors in humans. Doing cruel things, like hitting an animal or not giving it food, water or company, and making it live in a dirty space or crowded shelter is wrong. This is because it causes animals great pain and sadness, just like it would do to humans. Animals have the right to be healthy, happy, safe and loved.

It’s a Financial Issue

During the COVID pandemic, a lot of people got pets, but now some people are finding they can no longer afford to take care of those pets. In general, pets are so cute and lovable, and many of us get pets with great intentions. But soon people become aware that owning a pet isn’t all fun and games. It takes a lot of work to look after another living creature, especially one that can’t take care of itself.  So animal shelters, particularly ones with no-kill policies, are packed.

Simply put, animal shelters have too many animals, which is bad for the animals and costs taxpayers a lot of money. Every year, 6 to 8 million dogs and cats go to shelters. It costs about $2 billion each year for the government to take care of these animals, including killing them if no one adopts them.

Pets Are Good for Human Health

Pets have been with humans for a very long time and have helped us in many ways.  Yes, they are cute and loveable, but they also embody the true spirit of companionship and comfort, which can be essential for our emotional and physical wellbeing. In today’s world where we are often disconnected from others, pets often bridge the gap, making us laugh and offering unconditional love.

It’s not just about having a furry friend, it’s also about the positive impact they have on our mental and physical health.  According to much research, they reduce stress, anxiety, and even lower blood pressure. Not to mention, they boost our mood and keep us active.

Neutered and Sprayed Animals are Healthier and Live Longer

Sterilizing pets leads to a healthier, longer life, eliminates cancer risks and aggressive behavior. Spaying females reduces cancer risk and uterine infections. Neutering males eliminates the chance of testicular cancer and decreases violent behavior and the urge to roam. These surgeries are standard practices that prevent needless euthanizations of lovable, healthy, adoptable pets.

The Constant – Overpopulation and Neglect

Unfortunately, on average, 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized every year in the United States.  Approximately 6.5 million animals enter shelters each year, but only about half of those animals are adopted, even though nearly 99% of them are perfectly healthy and ready for a home.

Every effort to reduce animal neglect, abuse and homelessness is a step towards a brighter future for us all. By doing so, you are making a positive impact on society and its well-being. You are ensuring that we live in a world with happier, healthier animals that bring us untold joy and companionship. Moreover, this helps us save precious resources and reduce financial burdens. You have the power to make a difference – one animal at a time. Take a step forward and make a conscious decision to help us reduce animal neglect and homelessness and see the positive ripple effect it creates in society.

The Effects of Poverty

Mental Health Risks

Over the past decade, depression and anxiety has risen exponentially, over 50%!  In fact, the Surgeon General has declared a mental health crisis in the US, with the suicide rate among 10–24 year olds increasing nearly 60% in the last decade alone.

Physical Health Risks

Children living in poverty experience a wide variety of health risk factors, ranging from health concerns to increased difficulties at school. Having a child is expensive, but that cost rises for families whose children have special medical needs, disabilities or become very sick. Low-income families are forced to choose between years of debt and the life of their child.

Homelessness

There are a reported 50,000 families that are homeless today.  There are a few top reasons that cause homelessness, including the number one reason – lack of housing that low-income people can afford. Homeless teens are at high risk of human trafficking, sexual assault, drugs and alcohol abuse and suicide. Children who experience homelessness have higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems and tend to do poorly in school.  Young children who are homeless are often separated from their parents, which can cause delayed development and have long-term negative effects.

Food Insecurity

Hunger and health are intertwined, but when children don’t have enough healthy food, it can be especially bad for them. This can make them sick, do worse in school, and have a harder time in the future. Being hungry can also make it harder for kids to behave well. Studies show that not having enough food can slow down kids’ development, make them more likely to get sick with conditions like asthma and anemia, and cause problems like being extra energetic, worried, or aggressive when they’re in school.

The Constant – Poverty.

Sadly, nearly a quarter of all children in the United States live in poverty.  But children are resilient.  When we provide support to homeless and impoverished children, we are providing them with life-changing services that help heal feelings of isolation and hopelessness. 

We believe everyone deserves food and shelter, and good health.  Everyone deserves to be loved and treated with respect.

Because poverty is multigenerational, we support programs that address children and their families.

It’s amazing to think about the impact we can make by helping multiple generations reach their highest potential. Research shows that through our efforts, we can foster economic growth and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Let’s work together to inspire and empower both present and future generations to pursue their dreams and achieve success. By doing so, we can create a brighter future and a better world for everyone. Together, we can make a difference!

It’s a fact

Over the past decade, depression and anxiety has risen exponentially, over 50%!  In fact the Surgeon General has declared a mental health crisis in the US with 1 in 5 adults experiencing some sort of mental health issue, and with the suicide rate among 10–24 year olds increasing nearly 60% in the last decade.  

There has always been a negative stigma around mental illness, but in recent years, there’s been an awaking of the importance of talking about and awareness of mental health – it simply saves lives.  Our goal is to make it easier for people to get the mental health services they need.  We aim to provide resources that help both the youth and older generation manage emotional health, and cope with challenges.  Whether situational, PTSD, clinical, addiction or other cause related, we want to help people with mental health issues feel supported and have less shame. Statistics show that when people get the right help for their mental health issues, especially children, they are less likely to fall into harm’s way and develop unhealthy, self-destructive behaviors.  Please get in touch with us if you would like to help us with this vital cause.

It’s a fact

Thanks to inflation, multiple recessions, and a recent shortage of affordable housing, along with millions of baby boomers aging beyond working years, older adults are now the fastest-growing segment of America’s homeless population. In fact, according to the latest census, as many as 10% of senior citizens in the tri-state area live alone and in poverty.  Old age is a crucial and vulnerable stage in life.  Various medical issues arise, and many suffer negligence from younger family members who may regard them as a burden, or simply have work priorities and can’t be there for them.

We believe isolation and homelessness for anyone — but particularly older adults — is unconscionable.  Our goal is to help seniors live their elder years with good health, companionship, dignity, and economic independence.  If you would like to help us make this goal a reality, get in touch with us.

It’s a fact

The state of homelessness in America has never been worse.

As of 2022, it is estimated that over 400,000 single adults and over 50,000 families were homeless, with nearly half of them living in their cars or other unsafe, unlivable places.  That doesn’t include nearly 33,000 veterans who are also homeless.

There are a few top reasons that cause homelessness, including the number one reason – lack of housing that low-income people can afford. Other top reasons people experience homelessness is when they leave an abusive situation, especially a minor, or they experience racial discrimination.  Homeless people often do not have the resources to manage both mental and physical health issues, further exacerbating homelessness.  Children who experience homelessness have higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems and tend to do poorly in school.  But children are resilient.  When you provide support to the homeless, especially children, you are providing them with life-changing services that helps heal feelings of isolation and hopelessness.  We believe everyone deserves a home.  If you would like to help us end homelessness in the tri-state area, please get in touch with us.

It’s a fact

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 1.3 billion people live with a significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us. Rising rates in chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and arthritis – are the leading causes of disability today. People living with disabilities often need help with everyday living which can be very expensive and is not the type of care and assistance that is covered by traditional insurance, Medicare, or even Disability. Therefore, we believe there could not be a better reason to get involved with helping the disabled!  If you would like to help us support the disabled, please get in touch with us.