Rusty and Charlie II

[sarahnmadison]

Hello! My name is Sarah and I am from Southern California. I live with my 8-year-old daughter Madison. We have 2 guinea pigs (Rusty and Charlie II), 3 dogs (2 were my grandmother's and I took them when she died), 4 cats, 3 birds (one we hand raised when the mother bird was killed by a neighborhood cat), and fish.

Of our pets, I would say that guinea pigs are my favorite. I get a great deal of joy from them.

I would say what was a draw to the board for me is the animal activism. While opinions always differ on certain aspects, the fact always remains that there are way too many homeless pets and I hope in my lifetime see a point where there is no euthanization.

Growing up, my family and I used to do dog and cat rescue. I have seen the rewards from rescue and also experienced the heartache that goes with it. My daughter volunteers with a local animal rescue with my aunt so she is learning what rescue is all about.

[caviesluvr]

welcome
Keep up the good work in rescuing .. Rusty is a cute name ///\\\

[sarahnmadison]

Thank you. My daughter chose that name after she saw pictures of my old guinea pig named Rustywho died years before she was born...she liked the name and chose that for one of our boys.

I do not do rescue anymore...I did that before I had a career and became a single parent to my daughter (I also help my parents out because they are raising my 2 nieces and a nephew) so I do not have the time I once did. Someday, I may get back into it because it is rewarding but it does take a toll mentally, physically, and financially so I will have to wait until my daughter is much older before I even think about doing that again.

I do still pick my pets from the animal shelter or ones that have been abandoned. Our latest cat we got a year ago we came across because the clerk at the store said this kitten had been hanging around the store for days so we took him home since this gas station is in the middle of no where so he wasn't missing from a house (he was obviously dumped). I live out in the Mojave Desert and you would be surprised how many people just dump there pets. I work out in the middle of no where and there are tons of wild dogs running around that people have dropped off in the desert. People find mom's with litters of puppies/kittens and so forth...we have so many predators with bobcats, coyotes, owls, etc. that so many of the poor things don't stand a chance.

[Crazybouncycrls]

I also volunteer at an animal shelter. It is so rewarding!
I agree though it takes so much out of you!!! I adopted my latest puppy fromt he shelter I "work" at and volunteer there on my days off from work and school.

Its always nice to see others who not only adopt but also volunteer! If only everyone were like the people on here who adopt and volunteer and well basically CARE!

Welcome to the group!

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Welcome to the forum. Do you have pigtures of your two little ones? We love those around here...