Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Maybe I'm A "Special Need" Too!

Whenever a special needs cat can get out of the shelter, I really work hard to make it happen.  When another rescue came forward and offered to take "Delbert" AND "Hector", I jumped into the car this morning to pick them up since the rescue volunteers couldn't drive out to the shelter. 

When Delbert first came into the shelter, it was thought he had mange or ringworm, but it turned out that wasn't the case at all.  Nobody really knows what's going on with this sweet boy, but he's happy and safe and I type this blog post:


Hector's rescue was even more dramatic. He came into the shelter with severe burns on his back. There didn't seem much hope for a black tom cat with the possibility of a major medical problem:


I had to take these two about 90 minutes from the shelter. It was a long drive, and I drowned out the meowing with some good music and happy thoughts...

Until....the red and blue lights were flashing in my rearview mirror:



I must've been lost in the music and good vibes, because I was caught driving 150km, in a 100km zone. I was fortunate he didn't impound my car and leave me AND the cats on the side of the road. I've been afraid to look at the ticket...but I'm guessing it's going to be enormous. It doesn't seem fair that I'm off doing something GOOD for the community and I get a speeding ticket.  I still have a lump in my throat that isn't going away.  Crap. Crap. Crap.  What a waste of money. 

I had a great tour of a rescue colleague's shelter today.  She had about 180 cats in her program and no foster parents - just a shelter.  The cats were all happy, cageless, and in various stages of laying around in the sunshine in cat beds in sunny rooms around the house.  I had a jealous twinge as I walked around, but we all do what we can do, right?  While I was there, she had 3 young women come in to adopt, and several volunteers cleaning.  The place was great! 

All is right in the world when two special needs cats gets out of the shelter.  Although....Before I tell David about the $1000+ ticket, I'd better find that French Maid outfit.  It must be here *somewhere*...I hope it still fits.

16 comments:

Ecochica said...

Ohhhhh nooooooo why do these shitty things happen to the best people? I am so sorry Beth and make sure you FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT this ticket!!!

Unknown said...

Ha! The cop couldn't even consider letting you go with a warning since you were transporting cats in need!!? Don't worry, karma will take care of it ;)

House of the Discarded said...

Ecochica: I *should* fight it, but I was probably going THAT fast! I tried to tell the officer that I had a cat in pain in the car and he needed treatment...blah blah blah..

Caroline said...

OMG Delbert is so funny, he looks like an old man with a funny British accent. Poor Hector. I can't believe you video taped being pulled over, did you tell the officer you were rushing a cat to the vet because he had burns and that if he charges you $1000 you may not be able to pay the vet bill? I know it's hard to think of stuff at the time. A friend of mine used to stick a teddy bear in a seatbelt in the backseat and always got off when the police pulled her over for speeding! Maybe instead of cages you could put the cats in pet harness seatbelts when transporting them? lol I can just see them sitting up in their harnesses in the front passenger and back seats. See pic at the bottom of this site http://www.mypamperedpets.co.nz/text/92144.html

Unknown said...

eeeeeekkkkkk 150 in a 100 that is going to be one big ticket. I hope those are great cats for that much money haha

Anonymous said...

Did you ask if he would knock it back 10 km. At 50 over the limit I believe you loose 6 demerit points.

Anonymous said...

You actually did get off really lucky. At 50km/h over the limit he could have immediately suspended your license for 7 days, immediately impounded your car for 7 days, fined you between 2,000 and 10,000 dollars (I think that is in addition to the impound fees), plus you get 6 demerit points and the possibility of losing your license for up to 2 years.

I think you owe it to the cats you transport to slow down a bit and not have them die in a fiery crash when they're being rescued.... And we'd hate to lose you too. :-)

Marilyn said...

Ohh, that's awful about the ticket. I hope there aren't any demerit points involved as some have suggested!

I'm intrigued by the shelter with 180cats and no cages. Would your rescue colleague mind if you shared a name/website?

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Hmm, maybe you should have been wearing the french maid outfit when you were pulled over. If the court system is anything like here you can just walk into traffic court, tell the bailiff you're fighting the ticket and they either lower the "over" or they put it down as an equipment malfunction/speedometer not registering correct speed. But, you can only do it once.

Kyle said...

Don't pay it. Claim innocence and go to court. You'll get a chance to meet with the prosecutor and can negotiate a lower penalty.

Even a 40 over ticket is better than 50.

And maybe trade that rocket you're flying in for something a little slower! ;-)

Roni said...

Cops are really impossible... and I hate them when they do such things. I remember quarreling with one cop before where I realize that there is no sense arguing with them because they are hopeless. Anyway, rabbit hutches for sale in case you are interested.

Lisa said...

Just look at the ticket this way...
If the cop didn't stop you, somewhere along your route there may have been a terrible accident that you weren't in because you were back at the side of the road. $1000 is better than being in a terrible accident.
You NEVER know lol

Anonymous said...

Cops aren't terrible. They doing their jobs. Doing 150 in a 100 zone is dangerous. Being a cat rescuer doesn't mean you're above the law. My younger brother got caught with a similar ticket and his outrage was the same. But he's also a 23 year old who still thinks he's immortal and infallible. I'm submitting this as anonymous because I'm aware of the public humiliation you like to subject those who disagree with your opinions too.

House of the Discarded said...

Anonymous: Cops aren't terrible! In fact, my son is studying to be a police officer. No doubt that I deserved the ticket. No "public humiliation" necessary. :)

raina said...

Hi Beth,
I have a problem I was hoping you could offer advice or suggestions on. My great Aunt passed away this last weekend, leaving her three cats with no home to go to. They are a mum and her two grown babies.

They are located in Lindsay, do you know of any rescues in that area, or a GTA rescue that would travel that far? (I am carless and have a non-cat-friendly dog otherwise I would foster...)

House of the Discarded said...

raina: What an awful situation for the cats and the family! Would you please email me? I can make some suggestions.

B