And so it begins...

...at least officially. This blog, and the formal introduction of WAIF is long overdue. There is so much to accomplish, so much that has already been done and so much that we have to say that it was only a matter of time before we got our butts organized enough to set-up a forum to say it in.

Who are we? That’s a good question and a long story but since people like their information short and sweet I’ll try to be concise.

WE are Gail and Elly (I’m Elly here typing). At the moment we are WAIF.

WAIF is a small, grassroots effort to help animals. We trap, spay/neuter and release feral cats, we help people get their pets spay/neutered and we help those who love their animals afford necessary medical care when the expense is too great. When we are able, we also rescue, rehab and rehome animals in need. It’s a big job for just 2 people.

But never underestimate 2 crazy ladies on a mission.

Before we met we were just individuals doing what we could to make a difference. Both of us working towards the same cause and goal with no idea there was a kindred soul only a block away. Each of us working to relieve animal suffering, neglect, abuse and overpopulation in our small, individual ways. Spending money we couldn’t afford to spend. Using time we didn’t have to spare. Expending energy when we were exhausted but working from hearts that have enough love and compassion to never give up on the desire to make the world a better place – for animals and for humans.

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina fate lent a hand and brought Gail and myself together. I would like to tell you some glamorous story of both of us running into the same burning building to save a dog or climbing the same tree to rescue a cat but I can’t.

The true story is, I was taking out the trash.

Something as mundane as that brought us together, but there is a bit more to the story. As I was taking out the trash I saw a woman setting a cat trap in my parking lot. All I could think was that some crazy, cruel neighbor was trying to harm the stray cats. I loaded my gun, set my sites and confronted her and thus met Gail. She was trying to trap the cats to get them spayed and neutered. There were loads of new cats since Hurricane Katrina and the SPCA’s TNR program was closed down since the storm so I hadn’t gotten around to trapping them. Gail had traps and a vet willing to do the surgeries cheap. I took over the job of trapping the cats on and around my street and a kinship was born.

Our friendship grew and we soon began brainstorming on ways to build our endeavor bigger.
Gail is a marvel. She already had out collection jars for donations in the French Quarter, ran a raffle and even had a name for the fund, WAIF (Wandering Animal’s Insurance Fund). She had been diligently working to resolve the feral cat problem for years. She’s dedicated, honest and much too giving for her own good. People like us never become rich though.

Or maybe we do?

I’m not talking monetary wealth, I’m talking emotional, spiritual and civic wealth.
Since we met we have expanded our efforts. We are able to accomplish more and more with each passing day. Nothing feels better then knowing you made a difference in the world or saved a life. Nothing is as rewarding as helping others, even if that "other" is only a small, helpless animal.

There is a quote from the Talmud that is quite appropriate and maybe you’ve heard it before;

Whoever destroys a soul,

it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world.

And whoever saves a life,

it is considered as if he saved an entire world.
-Jerusalem Talmud, Sanhedrin 4:8

One life at a time. That’s all it takes. You have it in your power to decide if you will destroy or save. It can be a more difficult, and tricky, choice then you think. Act compassionately, act humanely but most importantly act!
-Elly