ICEHurtsAnimalsTooMN

Hello Supporters, 

Thank you for your continued donations and words of encouragement, appreciation, and support. This week has had some highs and lows:

The Minnesota Public Radio coverage was welcome and appreciated, and if you discovered us through their story, welcome. I'm glad you're here. 

We continue to receive requests for essentials like food and litter from people across the metro area. Our delivery drivers are doing an incredible job filling these requests quickly, and we're so grateful for all of them. 

We continue to partner with the local veterinary network - they have been incredible. So many people are coming together to ensure that animals can get to their appointments safely, and we're pooling resources to make sure costs are covered. It's amazing what we can do when we do it together. 

Sadly, not every intention works out as planned. One of the cats we rescued in January had a severe medical event, and his adoptive mom made the heartwrenching decision to euthanize him. While he was only in his adoptive home for a fraction of the time we'd all hoped, this kitty Momma has a supportive circle of care as she navigated the scary situation and grieves her loss. We hold her and her beloved kitty in love during this difficult and tender time. Anyone who has cared for an animal through a traumatic event knows that the bonds we form can be swift and strong - and her loss is felt by all of those who have been caring for the cats from his group. We're grateful to Azizi's mom for her devotion to him, and wish her peace as her heart mends from this painful loss. 

Here's the thing that we keep learning again and again: No matter what comes our way, we can love each other through it. Thank you for being part of this community of love and care. 

Dallas

Hello Supporters, 

We are really feeling the gaze of the public move on from Minnesota. And I understand that the violence here is no longer as dramatic as it was, but I promise you - people are still scared, and ICE is still taking people. They have shifted to be more active in the suburbs, and they're heading toward greater Minnesota, which means that it will be harder to keep tabs on them. 

Our volunteers are doing an amazing job meeting requests very quickly - we have screened more people, which means most folks receive their supplies within 24 hours. 

Minneapolis Public Schools announced that they have "made the decision to extend the temporary online learning option through April 6 for families who need it. Temporary online learning was originally scheduled to end Feb. 12.” 

And there are MANY families who have been torn apart, people don't know where their loved ones are, and others are struggling to get home to Minnesota. The devastation has been huge, and it continues. 

But so do we. 

In the past few days, we have been doing more with vetting (especially spays! Five spay surgeries in three days!), and we have some dental needs on the horizon. The vetting network has been incredible, and we're so grateful for all of the clinics, DVMs, CVTs, and transportation volunteers who are caring for animals and their families in these difficult days. Our area's low-cost spay/neuter clinic, Minnesota Spay Neuter Project, and The Bond Between's Vet Center have been incredible partners for us. We're incredibly grateful to be in this work with them. 

Our Instagram and Facebook pages are now up and running, which gives you another way to connect with us and will help us reach more people who can spread the word about the support we provide. (And I include you in that "we"!!) Please follow and share. 

Dallas

PS - I don't know if this made it much beyond our neighborhoods, but last night someone set fire to Renee Good's Memorial. The intimidation is not over. Abolish ICE. Photo credit: Modern Ghost.

Hello Supporters, 

It's been another busy weekend with Ice Hurts Animals, Too MN. 

* We helped a cat get an emergency C-Section. It was very scary to get a message through our website that this young cat had given birth to one dead kitten and had been unable to birth another in over 12 hours. She got to the emergency clinic, got the surgery, and is healing well.  (We offered to spay and neuter the other cats in the home.)

* One of our delivery volunteers, who knows all about rabbit,s went shopping for a nice setup for a bunny who had been living in a bathroom ,and the family was running out of food for her. She bought an x-pen, a hay feeder, a litter box, produce, toys, and more. When she arrived, she and the family set everything up together. This single mom was so grateful for the help and teared up expressing her gratitude. Then one of the kids said to our volunteer, "If ICE takes us away, will you take care of our bunny?" There were more tears and reassurance that she would absolutely take care of their bunny if she ever got a call. Children should not have to ask a stranger questions like this.

* As I type this, we are working to get a dog that one of our dog-walking volunteers worked with into an emergency vet for a major seizure. This dog has been deteriorating for the past two months, and his family has felt helpless about getting him the care he needs. As you may know, there are many people suffering at home rather than risking going to the emergency room for care. While it's not ideal, we are in a position to be able to coordinate rides for animals to get the care they need at animal hospitals, and we're grateful for that. 

* Your donations are also helping us to spread the word with educational materials about how to create a safety plan for your animals and postcards to put in with deliveries at food shelves, so people know they can contact us for help with animal essentials. I have attached one example of the safety plan below (the other side is in Spanish). 

People are still being taken daily, no matter what the national news says. Today, an independent journalist reported on a female ICE agent posing as a distressed motorist on the side of the road with a fake broken-down car. They have shifted their tactics significantly, so they are harder to spot, but they are still everywhere. And the traffic at the Whipple building has not slowed. 

We've gotten three requests TODAY from people in other states wanting to learn about how we have built what we've built. And we will hold trainings on how you can build a mutual aid group focused on animal needs. But for now, I just wanted to thank you again for your support and let you know that it's making a difference. <3

Dallas

Hello Supporters,

Things have continued to be busy for animal support. In the past two days, we have:

* Consulted with a person who has a dog who has stopped eating, and she worries that he's depressed since he cannot get the exercise he craves. It's not safe for his family to walk him outside. (We have people working on this case and will do all we can to get this family what they need so their dog can feel better.)

* Worked with a team of volunteers to help a single mom who cannot safely work get everything that she needs to care for the family rabbit. The rabbit had been living in the bathroom because her enclosure broke, and the people didn't know that the rabbit needed hay and a variety of greens to be healthy and happy. We were thrilled not only to bring the bare necessities, but so many extras to help this family give their bunny everything she needs to be healthy. 

* Reimbursed several people who have been able to do their own shopping for exactly what their neighbors need (specific brands or flavors of food, etc.)

* Got a neuter completed for a cat who had a testicle that hadn't yet descended. (Captain will be available for adoption, along with his best friend Bowerick, soon!)

* Helped arrange for spays for two puppies left homeless due to ICE activity and a kitten belonging to a family sheltering in place. We will ensure that all of these surgeries are paid for. 

* Made many deliveries to people across the metro and the southern part of the state to people who are not able to safely leave their homes. 

* Placed a huge order for pee pads. So. Many. Pee Pads.

As always, thank you for your support. The lasting impacts of this occupation will be deep, and it will take a long time to recover. We are committed to being a resource for impacted people and animals in the ways we can be, for as long as possible. Our intention was never to be a permanent group, and that's still true, but we're realizing that support will be needed for a long time, no matter what happens next. 

And if you're in another part of the country and worried about ICE coming to your area, keep an eye out for future trainings where we will share what we have learned about being a community-run mutual aid group focused on animal care. We have learned a lot, and we're looking forward to sharing that knowledge with you. 

Onward, 

Dallas

PS: Amos' foster mom spoke with a potential adopter today! The next step is for them to meet in person. Please send all the prayers and good juju their way. 

Today's photo is of Captain, piloting his backpack carrier craft home after his neuter surgery. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Captain!