I got this email from Systemic (and fan-extraordinaire) Hillel_Kitty who sent this in a while back, and I am sorry to say I let it sit for a little too long. Still, here is what she wrote in:

I saw this flyer and thought “Aw, the System Dude likes animals! SHIT – That’s adorabull!”

But seriously, I wanted to send this in as a plea for help for a worthy organization. Action for Animals is a non-profit organization in my town that performs several important functions, including educational programs for responsible pet ownership, animal advocacy with Muncie’s City Council, financial support for pet medical care, and spay/neuter programs for Muncie’s many strays.

You see, Muncie has a very high percentage of residents who rent their homes. Too often, residents adopt pets thinking that they can hide them from landlords who don’t permit animals. Or residents adopt while they live in a place where pets are allowed, and then move to a new apartment and can’t take their pet with them. Unfortunately, the city and county-run shelters destroy their animals. There is only one no-kill shelter in town (Animal Rescue Fund – ARF), and it is always full. So, people let their beloved pets go, rather than taking them to a shelter that will eventually kill them.

This has led to an overwhelming number of stray cats.  In fact, last summer I adopted a pregnant, starving stray that showed up in my backyard. She had clearly been dumped, or escaped. Most of the strays in my neighborhood are skittish, but Rorschach just wanted to be snuggled, fed, and allowed to come inside. A day after we brought her in, she had 4 kittens. Luckily, all 4 were healthy, and Mama Rorschach handled the birth well. When the kittens were weaned, and big enough to be fixed, Action for Animals gave me vouchers to have all 5 cats (Rorschach and her kids) spayed or neutered. They also provided me with funds to get vaccines for the whole tribe. If I’d had to do this on my own, it would have amounted to about $700 (at least). With the vouchers, the spay/neuters were free, and the vaccines cost $20.

Action for Animals relies on donations. They provide so many important services for Muncie’s animals, both strays and pets alike, and desperately need any financial support you can give.

Systemics! This is your call to arms! Even if you can only spare a dollar, please send it in. Strays have hard lives, and might fall under the influence of bad individuals like Jimmy the Murderdog. Don’t let that happen. Thank you for sticking with me through this long message. I’ve attached a copy of the donation form (in black and white, to be printer-friendly). Please please please send a donation! (yeah, i’m not above abject begging when it comes to animals).

Thank you!
-hillel kitty

Oh, and here’s the image she sent in for the post.  Link.