Week 53 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Incentivize Keeps Popping Up

When I’m not thinking about taking a nap, I’m always thinking about how to change my world.

Rescued Critters came to life when I was thinking about how to add heat protection to the food, shelter and water requirements for dogs in Tucson.

I was thinking about all of the dumped trash in our neighborhood that would appear weekly on the streets and in the alleys when an email response from Council Member Richard Fimbres introduced me to Pat Tapia, Deputy Director of Environmental & General Services Department. At the onset of our relationship, I’d see a mess, take a photo and send it to Pat. A few days later the mess was gone.

Many months later I met Pat at a neighborhood meeting sponsored by Environmental Services and the Tucson Police Department. It was dark and I was not familiar at all with the El Rio Community Health Center on Irvington.

About ready to give up after touring the large parking lot a number of times, I spotted a small sign for an AA meeting in the grass next to a sidewalk. My brain shouted, “meeting places, that may be it?” It was, and see how my brain works? Any glimmer of hope jumps to the fore.

After the presentations, I introduced myself to Pat. That little chat opened the door to a highly productive and ongoing neighborhood cleanup project.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about ways to encourage people to spay and neuter their pets. For folks like me who have no money to speak of, a minimum $50 vet bill is problematic. That’s why the lines at the intermittent and free, spay and neuter clinics can run 300 pet lovers deep.

My first thought involved a wealthy individual who supported one vet clinic that did nothing but free spay and neuter. When I figured out that $10,000 would only pay for 200 or so small dog operations, I started to look for other ideas

.

Then I got a two-fer … how about if every new registered voter could get his or her pet spayed or neutered for free? Responsible pet owners, responsible citizens … what a deal.

Then the dollars crept back into the picture and I let that one go. But incentivizing voter registration stayed on the table. Nearly every business offers discounts to military folks and vets, too. Also, police officers, fire fighters and first responders. They just have to present a ID and receive a discount.

So, what about registered voters/tax payers who pay to run the local and federal government? Shouldn’t they be recognized for their important contribution to society, too? Just show your Voter ID and receive a 5% discount. Why not!

For those who need incentives … which is most folks.

In a drawer some place I have a set of dog tags and a DD-214 discharge form. Another drawer houses my tax returns, but my most prized possession in the voter ID I carry in my wallet. That makes me feel the most American. And that feeling has been hard to come by lately, what with kids in pens, top government officials placating their “leader’s lies,” and frozen politicians.

CEO Doug McMillon, Walmart

When this insanity started years ago, I asked myself, “Where are all the corporate leaders? What are they waiting for?”

You see, I believe business will solve all of our social ills, not the government. And then it just happened this week. The sleeping giant woke up.

Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger and Wegmans stood up. Of course, there are calls for boycotts. But let me tell you something, when it comes to owning an assault weapon or putting delicious, quality, low priced food on the table, Walmart will win. Just ask any mom.

Now it’s your turn to stand up, whether you work for or own a business. Start figuring out how to offer discounts to all your customers with Voter ID. They’ll love you for it. Also, hand out voter registration forms and tell them they can register online and vote at their kitchen table. If you do a good enough job, there will be no more kids in pens.

It took two trips to PACC today to make our usual donation. My 12:30 pm delivery to PACC (on the left) was a bit too early for Steve. He sent me a text saying he had his donation ready as I was driving home. A pick up, then lunch and back to PACC was just fine with me. Mostly care about getting a donation, never when.

This week we donated 141.7 lbs. of pet food and $115.04 in cash and two check.

Epilogue: (fancy word for more to say)

I’m still in need of an idea to incentivize pet owners who need free spay and neutering services. Please let me know if you come up with anything. Start with ways to get lots of money for caring veterinarians.

See you Sunday,

Peter