Editor's Note

  Although I don’t want to admit it, summer is winding down here in the Midwest and the advent of autumn and all the sweeping changes that come with it are upon us. For example, the children that were running wildly through sprinklers and stomping their feet in the cool waters of our lakes, ponds, and rivers just several weeks ago are now dutifully strapping on their backpacks and their thinking caps in anticipation of a new school year. We adults who have spent countless hours this summer reclining at the beach, working the grill, and hanging out in our gardens (and beer gardens), must sigh at the realization that three more seasons will come between us and a chance to enjoy these unadulterated pleasures once again. However, I think this is a great time of year for our pets. We’ve had one hot summer and I can only imagine the relief these cooler temperatures will bring to our fur-covered cats and dogs and other companion animals.

I do enjoy the back-to-school mindset we all get into this time of year, but since I began working at Chicagoland Tails this past spring, I think I’ve remained in a constant state of learning. I’ve been a pet guardian for the better half of a decade, but I had no idea just how complex, exciting, and occasionally sobering our enormous world of animals and animal-related issues can be. For example, I was delighted to discover that we now offer kitty kindergarten classes for our feline companions and that folks like Bob Barker are helping make animal law common practice I was also amazed to discover that people are working hard to provide refuge for the large number of wild cats that live in this country or that volunteer animals are patiently helping physically, mentally, and emotionally disabled children lead better lives everyday.

On the other hand, with the good news comes the bad and part of my education at Chicagoland Tails has been learning about the tough road ahead for many animals living in our country. At the risk of sounding pedantic I feel compelled to share some of the saddening facts:

• There are over 10 million animals abandoned and put to death in the United States every year. (The Animal Rescue Site)

• Only 18% of dogs and 16% of cats living in homes are adopted from an animal shelter. (Humane Society of the United States)

• 18.2 million companion animal dogs and 12.4 million companion animal cats are not spayed or neutered. (HSUS)

• The number one reason why guardians relinquish their dogs is because they are moving. The number one reason why guardians relinquish a cat is because they already have too many. (National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy)

• Approximately 71% of shelter cats and 56% of shelter dogs are euthanized every year. (NCPPSP)

These statistics are chilling to say the least and indicate that animal protection and equality still have a long road ahead. However, I’m comforted by meeting people every day who are making a difference in the lives of animals, and are doing it because so many animals have positively impacted their lives. For these people, it’s a win-win situation.

Be it the happy news or the sad, the education never stops here at the magazine, which is a good thing, because with education comes the knowledge to find effective solutions to the problems our animals face. I hope that with each issue of the magazine we bring you information that empowers you to make a difference in the life of a companion or shelter animal. Hopefully that will transform your life in turn.

In the meantime, let’s all get out there and enjoy these last few days of great weather. Before you know it we’ll be rolling out our jackets and scarves, watching the leaves turn colors, and carving pumpkins. I look forward to seeing you then.

Jason A. Heidemann
jason@ChicagolandTails.com