Thursday, March 11, 2010

Everybody Deserves a Chance

I promised Kim that I'd go to the shelter periodically this week to take pictures of all the new arrivals while she's in Mexico on holidays. I think there were more than 30+ cats to take pictures of and put on Petfinder. I've thoroughly screwed up the order the cats were in on Petfinder, but at least they're on there.

I've always admired Kim for many reasons, but I also think it's awesome that she puts even the "scary feral" cats on the Petfinder site too. Her reason? "Everybody deserves a chance."

Amen.

As I'm opening cages and snapping pictures, I quickly look at the cage cards to see if they're "Owner Surrender", "Trapped Cat" or brought in as a stray. The trapped cats can often be quite feral. I opened one cage and the poor guy lunged at me. Scared the crap out of me! He was on a lower cage so I was crouched down and fell backwards. I was really relieved nobody saw that. I bet it was VERY amusing!

It's been a LONG TIME since I've been bitten, so I decided to leave the feral guys to Kim. I felt badly that I didn't post them online tonight. They DO deserve a chance, and what if they aren't really feral? I have a female tabby that would go freakin' nuts in a cage like that. I've seen her lunge at the vet over nail trim. Hahahhaa!

Last weekend, I attended a meeting with some of the ladies from the rescue. I had never met the ladies we call "Trappers", and had never been more impressed. Trapping is hard work and often thankless. Most of the cats hate your guts and don't want your help. (At least they THINK they don't want your help) Those ladies are devoted and awesome. They are truly in the trenches of cat rescue. I couldn't do it. I like "I love you and thank you for rescuing me" part of rescue.

Which reminds me... last night, while I was waiting at a Wendy's parking lot with little Trinity I arrived about 30 minutes early before her new foster family was due to arrive. I took her out of her carrier and set her on my lap. Trinity had been in the shelter for several months. She snuggled into my arms and stretched fully out on my stomach and chest. She proceeded to start to knead on my neck and nurse on my earlobe. OMG. Talk about gratitude! She stopped periodically and looked at me adoringly. By the time the foster parents arrived, I didn't want to give her up! Hahaha!

While I was at the shelter a couple with baby in hands were surrendering their "Beloved cat". The lady was sobbing and they were hugging each other. The reason? The cat was becoming aggressive towards the child. The baby was about 14 months old. That's a tough age for any cat. She was a sweet grey tabby - 3 years old. *sigh* I really want to help her. Now that I know she doesn't like kids, maybe the rescue can place her in the proper home. She was a cutie.

Yes, I believe every animal deserves a chance. Not all of them get a chance and that's the part that turns my stomach.

9 comments:

Ecochica said...

But we always do our best hunny!!

Beki said...

But Beth, So many more of them do get that chance thanks to people like you, Saskia, the 'trappers', TCR and all the fosters out there. SOOOOO many more do. I think about what this kind of giving of yourself can do and if was applied in all areas of our lives what a different place we would be living in.

*sigh*

You should all sleep well at night.

YOU are making a HUGE difference. Not just in the cats lives but in the lives of those who foster, who adopt, and who read your blog hoping one day they can be at a place where they can pitch in and do their part.

Thank you again for all you do.

Unknown said...

AMEN Beki!!! To everything you said, imagine what the world would be like? Amazing.

Amazing things happen, when the worst things happen. Isn't it awful that bad things happen in the first place?

"Be the change you want to see"-Gandhi

Anonymous said...

Thanks for helping out while I;m away Beth! So greatly appreciated. Don't get yourself hurt though! LOL!
Your the best!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for helping out while I;m away Beth! So greatly appreciated. Don't get yourself hurt though! LOL!
Your the best!

Deb said...

I'm with you on that one. The ALL deserve a chance. I am in the process of trying to find homes for 12 kittens taken from a hoarder last week and staying at a foster home in my town. They were not feeling well and malnourished. My heart just breaks when I think of the hands that these innocent little beings can get into to. Will it ever end? Wish me luck. Deb

Elizabeth B said...

Beth I think you jinxed me!!! I havent been bit by a cat in ages then I read your story and the next day I get bit right on the wrist!! Of course it was a preventable bite and i did provoke the cat (flea dip) so I dont blame him...much, but it sure does hurt.

Does your area do TNR or just euthanize them? it'd be a real shame if they did. Anyhow you do a great job and do great photos that I'm sure will help atleast some of the cats get out.

Elizabeth B said...

Beth I think you jinxed me!!! I havent been bit by a cat in ages then I read your story and the next day I get bit right on the wrist!! Of course it was a preventable bite and i did provoke the cat (flea dip) so I dont blame him...much, but it sure does hurt.

Does your area do TNR or just euthanize them? it'd be a real shame if they did. Anyhow you do a great job and do great photos that I'm sure will help atleast some of the cats get out.

House of the Discarded said...

Reuning: Oh no! I hope your wrist is OK! Those bites can be naaaasty!

The rescue where I volunteer does do TNR - we don't euthanize. Unfortunately, the shelter where I rescue the cats DOES euthanize. There is no adoption program, so when cats go in they are euthanized if not rescued.