New Year’s resolutions

So, you’re going to drop 20 pounds by Valentine’s Day, learn conversational Italian and take up ballroom dancing. Really, that’s your plan for the new year?

Me? I’m thinking this is the year for New Year’s resolutions we can actually keep. Here’s a few I suggest, all on the theme of helping the animals (obviously).

Volunteer. The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA quite literally relies on the help of volunteers to help us save lives. For us, it’s 119 staff + 1,400 volunteers = 6,500 lives saved. Walking dogs, petting cats, feeding baby birds and squirrels, brightening the lives of patients with the love of an animal, helping our educators bring the humane message to classrooms, selling gently used tchotkes in our Pick Of The Litter resale shop, assisting with events to raise funds and consciousness: you name it and volunteers are essential. You can go onto our website (www.PHS-SPCA.org) to get started.

Adopt. When someone like me asks you “how many animals do you have?” whatever your answer you can expect “oh, one more is such a better number.” Seriously, while it’s obviously important to know your limits (as well as that of those already at home), if you do have room in your home (and heart and budget) I do hope you’ll consider visiting our Center For Compassion (1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame). I always have a few hundred fabulous best friends I’d like to introduce to you!

Donate. Most of PHS/SPCA’s support comes as small gifts, and it’s the total of those many small donations which combined allows us to do all that we do. If you can, a financial contribution of any size is always extremely welcome. (Either that website or snail-mail address will work!)

And finally, love. Love the animals at home, love those you see around you. The Beatles were wrong since love is not all you need, but it certainly goes a very long way.

Ken White is the president of the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA.