As a "Thanksgiving Special," I thought I'd focus attention on an area most of us don't pay enough attention to: The animal care providers in our community. No, this is not a self-serving piece on veterinarians. This giving of thanks is for the volunteers and minimally paid individuals who do the often-thankless tasks with the animals in our midst.

Thanks to shelter workers. Yes, you get put in some difficult situations every day. Irate citizens, occasional bites and scratches, and, yes, you even have to deal with euthanasia. You feed, you bathe and talk to your four-legged friends in hope that they can find new homes, knowing in your heart that you can't save them all.

Yet, every day you make their lives more comfortable. Most people in the community point the critical finger at you but know in their hearts they couldn't ever do what you do. Especially since Hurricane Katrina, you've done an outstanding job under trying circumstances.

Thanks for animal control officers. Once again, you have a thankless job. You're overworked, underpaid, and, yes, looked down upon by many in society. Yet, if you don't do your job when public safety is threatened, who will? You are an essential person when it comes to not only the welfare of many animals in our region, but the safety and welfare of many people.

Thanks to wildlife workers and volunteers. Especially in our coastal region, wildlife rehabilitation volunteers are doing a superb job on birds, turtles, deer and many other species. The WRANPS organization has volunteers in communities up and down the coast who not only take in animals in need, but work with veterinarians on medical care and provide the aftercare. These volunteers help accomplish the ultimate goal: Release of these critters back to their habitats.

Thanks to foster care providers. Not only are you the saviors to the shelters, by keeping some of the seemingly doomed from meeting their doom, but you have huge hearts by opening your hearts to those you know you can't keep.

Breed rescue efforts are better than ever now because of your nationally coordinated Internet-based groups that save countless lives. Why? Because whether you're the Great Dane rescue group, the Chihuahua rescue group or any breed-specific rescue group in-between, you're quietly performing a wonderful service that many are unaware of. The payoff is not monetary, as many of you spend your own time and money to place these pets in approved homes for the long-term.

Thanks to veterinary care workers. Okay, I couldn't resist. But this isn't about thanking the veterinarians, but the receptionists, technicians and animal care providers in veterinary clinics. You have come back to work since Katrina to your credit, and offices across the coast are grateful to have you. Speaking personally, I know that in my clinic many employees still have personal stresses at home to deal with, too. So as we look toward the close of 2006 and give thanks, let me indulge myself by thanking those of you (including my own) that work in veterinary clinics.