When I married an animal lover, I thought I knew what I was in for. A dog, a couple of cats, some fish. As I look at the two 4 week old kittens who are literally on my feet however, I guess I got more than I bargained for…

These kittens are part of a litter that was left for dead, in a trash can in Jefferson County State Park. One did die before they made it to our house, and now there are 6 of the cutest little babies you ever did see.  You can read more about them and see them here.

Not only are they cute, but from day one they were as friendly towards humans as I’ve ever seen kittens at this age. Which begs the question. Why. Why would anybody do that to innocent little lives such as these?

Being in the animal welfare biz (ok, full disclosure, my wife is the now acting Executive Director for Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter), my wife always seeks the kindest and most understanding answers – maybe they couldn’t afford them any longer and didn’t know what to do – like that.

But as I watched them chasing shadows this morning, (before one white and one tabby one perched on my slippers) I realized that one of the reasons in Fairfield at least, may be that not enough people know about Noahs Ark. Not that they can take every “stray” – due to the large number of cats who are not spayed or neutered and allowed to run free in this town – but they can take some, and they can provide options, and they can at least stop animals from being abandoned and left for dead…

These trash can kitties are indicative of larger problems related to the treatment of animals that I’m not knowledgeable enough to write about – so I won’t. What I will do however, is to encourage you to do what you can to help.

Ever consider being a foster home? It’s so much fun and so rewarding. Our kids love to have kittens running around the house (and just think, when they’re old enough, they get spayed and neutered on Noah’s Ark’s dime, and then get adopted out!)

Not into fostering but still want to help? The shelter can always use volunteers. Give them a shout at 641-472-6080 if you’re interested.

With our lives as busy as they are, we don’t always have time to donate, but there are other ways to help too. For example, the shelter has a wish list of items that they can always use…

After days at the shelter when calls come in to save kittens from trashcans, or to help a 3-legged dog find a home, my wife is pretty wiped out. She feels like she, too, is chasing shadows.

But all it takes is an email or call from somebody like you, to remind her that it’s all good. That more people value these animals’ lives than not. And that this incredible little animal shelter in SE Iowa will continue to save lives…