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Thru my years of working with animal rescue here in the desert, I found that certain themes were repeated among the people and pets that I was called upon to help. One of the saddest of these was that of the Senior Citizen who, because of a meager, fixed income, was unable to pay for a Vet visit for their animal friend. Too frequently the pet was also a "senior" and needed special care to stay comfortable during its last days ...care that was just too expensive. Once told of the circumstance, I was usually able to call upon someone who was willing to help financially. Or, at the least, I was able to arrange for the Vet to take small payments, rather than let the pet (and the person who loved it) suffer. Still, in our society, it is the old animal that is most neglected ... perhaps, in a way, a "mirror" to how we treat the Elders among us in general.
I must also acknowledge dear Madelyn Hinsvark for helping us make what will soon become an important and humane community service a reality. Madelyn's love for abandoned, needy animals is legend here in our desert and it should come as no surprise to anyone that she is also capable of expressing great kindness toward people as well...and frequently does. The other "wing" of our foundation, Media Production/Education, also comes from my personal recognition of something that needs changing here in our valley. We have a terrible pet over-population problem here in the desert. Thousands, (yes, thousands ...) of homeless dogs and cats, puppies and kittens are killed here every year ... if not by dying of heat exhaustion or being hit on our long, dusty roads while looking desperately for a meal or a drink of water, these lonely, frightened creatures are euthanized by our city and county shelters ... and our kill rate statistics vs. our adoption numbers are appalling. Frankly, I consider them obscene.
Simply put, "The Critter Coalition" was born out of a deep need. With the heart of the desert's animal loving community beating behind it, that need will be met, I promise you. I believe that in the end, how kind we were to one another and the living creatures who make our lives so much richer by just being a part of them will be what matters. With this sincere effort, the lives of thousands of animals and the people who love them will become a kinder place. And for me, this makes my world a true blessing. Thank you for caring, Kate Porter Feel free to email Kate at CritterKindness@aol.com for more information
 The Critter Coalition PO Box 1841, Joshua Tree, Calif. 92252
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THE CRITTER COALITION ... 
Knowing of this and then hearing from a volunteer at Animal Control one
day about how many Seniors have to give up their pets to the shelter when
they have to go into the hospital temporarily simply because there is no
one to care for the pet while they are away or while they are getting
well, I became passionate about creating a solution to at least these two
problems. Thus, with the loving and determined support of my partner, Dr.
Terre York, our non-profit 501C3, "The Critter Coalition", was
born.
Knowing that the only way to change this horror is to educate our desert
population to the vital importance of spaying and neutering their pets,
"The Critter Coalition" is committed to producing educational
videos for television, recording Public Service Announcements (PSA's) for
radio in both Spanish and English and publishing (again, in both Spanish
and English ...) pamphlets that will be distributed free of charge to our
desert community.