We're pleased to have a guest blogger this week. Enjoy a view into Israel's animal rescue work through the eyes of Alex Wolfgang:
A few weeks ago, I took a trip to ISRAEL for a ten day educational/recreational tour through the homeland of “my people.” Although, I’m hardly religious, I still felt enough of a cultural connection with my Jewish heritage to want to explore this country. The sights I saw were mind blowing: beautiful mountains, relaxing beaches, and modern cities compacted into a small country about the size of the state of New Jersey. And even though my eyes were often distracted by the exceptionally attractive women I spotted walking the streets, it didn’t take long for me to realize that this astonishing little country has a severe stray animal overpopulation problem. While I recognize the similar problem with animals in the US, what I saw in Israel was incomparable! With each city we visited, I saw more and more homeless pets-especially cats. Particularly, I remember walking through an outdoor market in Tel-Aviv and counting over 30 stray cats! I further explored the situation to find a few of these felines had a notch on one of their ears (indicating that they had been spayed or neutered.) What a relief! There are some animal activists here!
When I returned home I began researching the situation. I contacted Nina Natelson, the director of the Israeli advocacy group CHAI (Compassion for Helping Animals in Israel). I asked to her to educate me on the major issues and expressed my interest in wanting to help with their efforts. This group is awesome! They’re producing a humane education curriculum- a 450 page book with over 100 lesson plans, fact sheets, resource lists, etc. on animal related issues. And, what’s even more exciting is they have a Mobile Spay/Neuter clinic-the first of its kind in the Middle East. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, the clinic has temporarily suspended their services! Their expenses are quite high because they pay 3 salaries (vet, assistant, driver), gas, maintenance, supplies and advertising (to attract clients). Fees charged for their low-cost services cover about ½ of their costs. Additionally, they are expecting some grant money from the Israeli government which will cover another ¼ of the costs. They just need help with the last ¼-about $25,000.
Again, I’ve never been religious. But, I do believe that we all have a purpose in life. My purpose has always been to help animals. Like hundreds of other visitors in Israel, I saw this massive problem of animal overpopulation; I saw starvation, dehydration and disease. And rather than just ignoring this problem, I’m vowing to make a difference. I want to somehow raise this $25,000 for CHAI (www.chai-online.org). I’m in for $500; any fundraising ideas for coming up with the rest?
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1 comment:
I must disagree.
Nina Natelson. Nina Beth Natelson,
is wanted by the Fairfax County police department on numereous
animal violations including felony assault of a human being in furtherance of another animal- relate crime.
Apparently her "concern" for animals does not extend to humans.
Ms. Natelson stands 5'5" tall, is 59 years old, obese, and has short dark hair and, if sighted in public with an off leash or otherwise dangerous/threatening animal, a report is to be filed by calling :
Ms. Natelson stands 5'5" tall, is 59 years old, obese, and has short dark hair and, if sighted in public with an off leash or otherwise dangerous/threatening animal, a report is to be filed by calling :.
703-691-2131 and filing a report with the FCPD to append to those already on file.
The Animal Control Division of the Police Department is well aware of her name and reputation and will respond promptly.
Meanwhile, a GROUP of citizens, in cooperation with the Commonwealth's Attorney's office and he Fairfax County Police Department is in the process pursuing class 6 felony charges against this woman. under :
§ 3.1-796.93:1. Control of dangerous or vicious dogs; penalties.
which states:
J. Any owner or custodian of a canine or canine crossbreed or similar animal is GUILTY of:
3. Class 6 felony if any owner or custodian whose willful act or omission in the care, control, or containment of a canine, canine crossbreed, or other animal is so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for injury to any person.
This carries a 1-5 year jail sentence and a $2,500 fine.
Susan M.
Falls Church, Virginia
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