Mariah with her beloved Youwho
Mariah Mountanos volunteers with animals, dreams about animals, learns about animals and hopes to spend her future career working with animals.
As we noted previously, Mariah started a website called Paws to Adopt to aide her local shelter in Ukiah, California. Let’s chat with Mariah and learn more about why she does what she does and the impact this one young woman is having on not only on her own rural community but the far-reaching animal community.
What got you interested in working with animals?
I got my first dog when I was 4 years old and I have had animals in my life ever since then. So, I’ve been an animal lover for most of my life. When my home school teacher, at the time, Sage Mountainfire, said that there were a lot of animals in need at our local shelter, of course I wanted to help the animals and began volunteering.
Why special needs animals?
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the animals that are shy, have medical issues, need training or have special needs. Unfortunately, these types of dogs tend to stay at the shelter for a while, because people either don’t have the time or just don’t want to give the time. But just because an animal needs a little extra care or attention, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be given that second chance. But what really made me want to reach out to others who were considering adopting a special needs animal or have one already was when Youwho, my blind/deaf dog, entered my life. I knew that there were many more out there just like him who were not given a chance, because of lack of knowledge of what to do or because no one wanted to even try. Youwho gives so much love and joy in not only my life, but my family’s and even strangers. I hope by learning about Youwho and our journey, others will consider rescuing a special needs pet.
You have a lot of strong breeds such as pit bulls listed on your web site, why are there so many in need?
Nearly every shelter you visit has a majority of pit bulls, which is sad, because to me pit bulls are one of the sweetest and most loyal breeds and not to mention most fun. It’s very sad and sometimes even frustrating when I recommend a dog to a family that is a pit bull and they won’t even look at him/her because of their breed.
Even if that dog has everything they want and more, many people just don’t want to adopt a pit bull because of their unfortunate reputation. People think all pit bulls are mean because of the “horror” stories they’ve heard. But what they don’t know is that what determines a pit bull’s temperament is who owns the pit bull. If you teach any dog, let alone a pit bull, bad behaviors they will listen to their owner. But if you raise a dog in a loving environment, they will continue to be that affectionate dog they have inside.
Also, many people don’t really know what actually determines a dog as a pit bull, so many assume any dog with a big head, muscular or brindle is a pit bull, but there are many, many breeds that may resemble a pit bull, but indeed aren’t.
Where did you get your experience and what is involved in the area of rescue/adoption you are involved with?
Much of my experience has been hands-on, just working with animals and getting to know them and owning animals myself. I was fortunate to have a home school teacher, Sage Mountainfire, share my passion and go with me to the shelter to volunteer at at the age of 11 years old. Also, currently, I am lucky to be able to continue my work during the school year through a program called CONNECTIONS, a Community Service and International Program, at my high school, Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa, California. The Director of the program, John Durgin, has allowed me to continue with my work from my Freshmen year to current.
I also have been to several conferences about animals. As for rescues, thankfully the Ukiah Shelter has a wide list of rescues that come and save the dogs in need. Anderson Valley Animal Rescue, BONES rescue, SFSPCA, The Marin Humane Society are just some of the rescues that will come and take out dogs when the shelter is full.
Tell us about The Pit Crew.
The Pit Crew is a training program that goes on twice a week and works with all the pit bulls at the shelter and other dogs that need special attention. This training goes a long way towards their finding new homes.
Have you ever worked with a dog or cat you could not handle?
The Ukiah Shelter temperament tests all dogs before putting them up for adoption, which I help the Adoption Coordinator do. If they pass the temperament test, which normally they do, then I can’t remember a dog I couldn’t really handle. Of course, there are those dogs that need training, but they still can be handled.
What should people look for when visiting a shelter?
That’s a hard question, because almost every shelter is filled with great dogs and cats despite what the outside or inside might look like. Many shelters like your local Animal Care and Controls are understaffed and under budgeted, so the place might smell or look run down, however the volunteers/staff might be incredibly helpful. And some- times even if the staff is challenged because of the amount of work there is, the shelter still may be filled with amazing animals. However, what I’d ask any shelter before adopting, is if they temperament test. If the answer is no, you should find a way to really get to know the dog you might be adopting.
Why is caring for animals worth the effort?
You’ll always have a friend by your side. Yes, we may not be able to speak the same language, but don’t worry, they will surely communicate with you with a slobber or a purr.
Why is it important for kids to get involved?
Kids are the next generation. One generation isn’t going to fix the millions and millions of animals dying in shelters, but two or three generations might. If we all learn about ways to train our pets, understand the importance of spaying and neutering, know the difference between reputable breeders and backyard breeders and recognize that millions of animals need homes, then, we can teach our children this and they can teach their children. And hopefully, we will solve the pet overpopulation problem.
Did people ever tell you that a kid can’t make a difference – what helped you to persevere?
You know, you may think I have been told that, but amazingly family and friends support me and they’ve never once told me that. Sure, because of my age I wasn’t allowed to volunteer at certain shelters or do certain things, but that didn’t stop me. You find ways to get involved.
What are the benefits of working with animals?
No matter what they always return a thank you whether it’s with slobbers or lots of wags, they are always right there. Their companionship and love is unconditional.
The slogan on my website says it all: Don’t Paws For Another Second…Adopt. ™
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If you found this article helpful, please read these prior columns
Photos provided by Mariah Mountanos
Comments
"It’s very sad and sometimes even frustrating when I recommend a dog to a family that is a pit bull and they won’t even look at him/her because of their breed." Heart is in right place with wrong information.
What is sad is the lost of a child from a pit bull attack. Has it occured to this child that people don't want these dogs because, as adults, we realize the danger? The temperament depends on what they were bred to do. We don't deny the hunting instinct we bred into dogs nor the herding instinct we bred into them, yet we are in denial about why pits were bred, to kill other animals. Thus, when an owner tries to save their pet from a pit, the owner is attacked as well because it is well known that the pits were bred to not shut off. This child is an accident waiting to happen because she has been fed the misinformation about pits. Sure, they are sweet, until they go for your throat. Famous last words are "I don't understand, my pit has never been aggressive before."
Good Lord....Rescue Angels guilting the public into cleaning up the mess created by the irresponsible breed stewardship of the Pit Bull community.... I'm going to rush out and adopt a Pit bull with an unknown background today because an ethereal teenager says they are safe!
My elderly neighbor has a little poodle, I'm sure she won't miss him!
"But what they don’t know is that what determines a pit bull’s temperament is who owns the pit bull. If you teach any dog, let alone a pit bull, bad behaviors they will listen to their owner. But if you raise a dog in a loving environment, they will continue to be that affectionate dog they have inside."
I wish that were true, but its the furthest thing from the truth. Dogs are primarially a product of their genes, not the training. Many well trained pits bulls have gone on to attack and kill. Pit bull advocates need to become more truthful about these dogs instead of just pushing them on everyone, giving them bad information, and then blaming the owner when the dog acts on the instincts it was born with.
Actually the teen ager knows more than the so called adults. I have owned pit bulls for years and work with them at the local shelter. What I would say not everyone should be a pit bull owner. Just like GSD, Rotties and Dobbies they are a strong dog. They are a great family dog and will protect their family. I would say most of the time I hear about a pit bull attack it usually is not a pit bull and the dog lived in a small yard and appears to be under exercised. Pit bulls need to be exercised hard every day. If you do not have at least an hour a day to work with your pit bull dont adopt one.
BSL will never work.. it is the owner that makes the dog..
so Turkey are you controlled by your genes. If so there is no use in trying to change habits or anything..
John W... if you let your pit bull of its leash chances are the poodle will be lunch. I own 3 pit bulls and they are always on a sturdy leash when I take them anywhere.. I have a fenced backyard.. when the pit bulls go outside so do I.. you have to be responsible if you are going to own a pit bull. They are like giving a 911 Porche to a 16 year male driver for his first car... not smart.
Mariah is amazing! With young people like her in the world I have a renewed hope for our future, especially where animals and our relationships with them are concerned.
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