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This post received a 3.8% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @gmuxx! For more information, click here!

I relate ! on a much lesser level though!

I live in a holler where 3 roads converge. On a regular basis animals are left down in here. I don't know why people think this is a good idea. Coyotes and other animals and ... they usually end up in very bad shape. The animals don't just hop out of the car and then run right to our door. Well, some dogs will but not many.

Fortunately we have a better situation here with the shelter. And, because we live where we live, I have animal control on speed dial. But the last time someone dumped a dog was a Friday afternoon and the shelter didn't open until Tuesday and we don't have a decent way to quarantine one more animal!

So my husband had an idea but we didn't really have a lot of hope. We made a box that said "Free Dog or Pound Dog." Staked the box and the dog down out near the road.

How little hope did we have? We were too busy trying to plan out the what if's of providing shelter for 4 night stay to notice the dog was gone within 30 minutes. Our lead and collar left with him but we really, really didn't mind. Small expense.

The area is so saturated with animals that I really didn't expect anyone to even be able to take in another dog.

One of the biggest hugest problems is that people super often end up with animals because the animal arrives at their doorstep. They have to take it to the shelter or they have to be able to afford to feed and shelter it and keep vermin off of them ... most people around here can barely afford to feed themselves. They can hardly stand the idea of the poor animal at the shelter so they feed it as best they can ... but then babies happen and it all gets out of hand. There's simply no way to afford the expense of vets and etc. They may not be able to take perfect care but it's better than seeing and animal put down.

And vets can't be expected to work for free ... cause legals.

This is not to say there aren't cases of extreme neglect.

Another thing about the Appalachian people is that they are fiercely proud. Last thing they want is to face anyone anyone and admit a need.

And we've been warned not to advertise them in the craigslist etc because dog fights are still a thing here.

I don't envy you your work!

Oh wow @rhondak! How can 'people' act like this to animals? It beggars belief.

You perform a fantastic service for your local community even though some don't see it that way. I hope Steemit can help you and the shelter gain much needed funds for such a worthy cause.

Resteemed for visibility

Bless you, @GMuxx . Thank you.

That is one of the primary reasons I'm so serious about cultivating an audience and following--wouldn't it be great PR for Steemit if we could add "supplies resources for animal rescue" to its growing list of benevolent achievements? :-)

Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by rhondak from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, and someguy123. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.

If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.

It's wonderful what you are doing. It's hard to believe what people do to defenseless animals.

Yes, it really is hard to grasp how cruel people can be, to animals and other people, too.

I had to lock down my FB after stating my opinions openly about tax payer property being used to promote one religion over others. I went to Tazewell High School, I graduated from it, and moved on. Believe it or not, going to Tazewell High school was seen as "moving up in the world" when I left Berwind, WV. I, for one, can attest to what Rhonda has posted here based on my own experiences of the area.

I left.

I will go back, my parents are still there, but I won't put them in danger so I'll keep blocking, I'll keep my opinions to myself on most things to do with the place, but I'll keep fighting, quietly and in the ways that I can. Rhonda is not joking, she's not "bigging it up" as they'd say there. I don't doubt a single word that she says because I'm FROM the place. Support her if you can, she needs it living there. She really does.

You absolutely did the right thing by getting out and staying out. One day I may do the same thing. I just worry about the animals.

What you're doing is so admirable. I don't know how you can do this work when I can barely stand to look at the pictures you've posted. Reading this halfway through made me sick, but I had to force myself to finish-- that's the least I can do, right? Please please keep doing what you're doing. You have my upvote.

Thank you. It has definitely taken its toll on me.