With all the "courtesy adoptions" that I do from the shelter, it would be a huge error on my part to think that ALL the adoptions would have happy endings. It's a numbers game, really. But today, I had TWO of my recent adoptions fail despite my best efforts.
Adoption #1 is "Tico": Tico was adopted last week. I always follow up, but the adopter didn't have voicemail, so I stopped trying to call. She called me. She said Tico was desperately ill and she didn't have the money to take him to the vet. Lord have mercy, this pisses me off. I discuss Upper Respiratory Infections with every adopter at great length. "You might end up going to the vets, etc etc. They nod...yes, yes yes) To make a long story short, I picked up a very sick and dehydrated Tico this afternoon and took him to our rescue vet. She was grateful that I did it and hope that she can have Tico back. I dunno. Fool me once...shame on you...fool me twice...shame on me.
Adoption #2 was LuLu. This one REALLY hurt, because the coward never bothered to call me. Kim called me this morning and found Lulu in a cat cage this morning. The reason? "Lulu had a limp and pooped in the house." I sent an email to the adopter and asked her why LuLu was left on death row again and here's her reply:
"Why don't YOU rescue her "hero" . Fuck off.
While I was at the shelter today I took a picture of LuLu. THIS is the face of abandonment:
She has NO idea why she's there again. My heart broke into a million pieces. To top it off, I found out my little pink collared Miriam was euthanized on Tuesday. I couldn't save her. I tried so hard, but nobody came forward for her and she died alone.
I wanted to run from the shelter today and never come back. But I couldn't leave without rescuing "Doug":
As I walked down the long hallway of the shelter with "Doug" at my side, I thought to myself, "I'm saving ONE...it's OK... I'm making a difference to ONE."Then as I opened the door into the lobby, a woman was surrendering a darling little cat (because she was moving) and I cried all the way home. It all felt so hopeless.
22 comments:
Oh Beth I don't know what to say, I'm crying too. What a terrible day.
Poor Miriam and poor Lulu for ending up back at the shelter. But maybe if that is the response you got from the adopter then Lulu is better off without her? I don't know...
Oh Beth. I'm in class on the verge of tears but holding them back out of fear of embarrasing myself. I'm so sorry about these guys. Do you know, does Lulu get along with other cats?
Shannon: Yes, she gets along with other cats - but according to the "adopter" she hissed at the dog. It could be the dog was keeping her from feeling safe at the litterbox. I don't know. She's spayed AND declawed. She isn't a young cat - probably 8 years old?
What a jerk!! Poor Lulu. People are such a$$hats - seriously.
Oh my goodness...this is just awful. I was fighting back tears when I heard about Lulu and Miriam. Sometimes I wish I could rescue every single little kitty...*sigh*. Please keep us updated on Lulu...I would love for her to find a really good, PERMANENT home. Shame on those people for wanting to adopt but failing. Undeserving people for sure.
Poor angels I feel sick to my stomach!
Cat's hiss the same way dogs bark and people yell. It's a warning, not necessarily a call for war. My cats hiss at each other daily, fight even, but at the end of the day they're both conked out a few inches apart on the couch and happy as clams.
People with imaginary pet problems really anger me, I'm sorry you had to deal with that nonsense. The Lulu one is the worst, poor girl, I hope she gets a real home :(
Ellstar: No kidding! I'd rather have the truth than a bunch of B.S.
-B
Well ... I'm glad we didn't give up on Nikki ... she did nothing but hiss and piss and moan for weeks at the two other cats and two dogs in our house ... so ... to the person that called you a Hero Beth ... you are ... and that person that said to you isn't worth the air time on this forum you have given them ...
Ugh. You know, I get upset and sorry for myself if my fosters get sick. Then I read about what you do for the cats and the people, and realize I've got it so much easier.
My mother can't take another foster in until April (she's catsitting for a friend), but I've told her she's going to be on the hook as soon as Tiger leaves. And I think that if you happened upon a pair that would suit her, I could persuade her to take two. You know the kind of cats she gets along with, so we can hope!
Renee
Is it politically incorrect to refer to the biatch that returned LuLu as a 'countess without the 'o'"?
The sad truth is that it IS hopeless. For so many animals, it is hopeless, no matter how much we try to help. We can't save everyone and that hurts so, so, so much.
But that doesn't mean we stop trying - trying to help animals on the front lines AND trying to change things so they won't need our help anymore.
It's so nice to be able to post something so awful and to be able to get support from my fellow cat/animal advocates.
I feel so much better knowing that I'm not alone in feeling so angry.
I don't comment as often as I perhaps should, but this time I felt I *had* to. Every time I read your blog, my admiration for you grows. You do *such* good work and if it hadn't been for you, we wouldn't have had our two wonderful boys. They make us smile *every* day. You rescued them on the day they were going to be euthanised...
This swamp thing that returned Lulu, I hope Karma does a number on her...That's all...
If someone took Lulu temporarily I could foster her once Emily gets adopted. Emily is 2 yrs old, declawed, and spayed. She would do best in an adult home as she can be cranky. Maybe Steve wants another cat!
You're a brave woman Beth, Maybe you could get an enclosed gazebo for your backyard and keep foster cats in it Spring, Summer and Fall!
I (shouldn't have but) clicked on the link to Lulu's adoption story... and it hurts so much more because it really sounded so hopeful. How does a family who seemed so nice and excited about her, who said they "love her", end up turning out so evil? Sad sad sad... pathetic, really. With a sick foster cat right now who is taking up a lot of our energy but is so sweet and so worth it... it makes me so angry to imagine how someone decides to give up on a kitty they "loved" because she has a ... LIMP?! GRR. Lulu's photo broke my heart.
Poor Miriam, she and all these other innocents in no way asked for this. I truly hope Lulu goes to a home that deserves her. I am stunned that you would receive such a disgusting, disrepectful e-reply from the so-called adopter...of course, people like that are the reason shelters exist.
She had a limp and pooped in the house? Geeze! Myst and I had a running battle over his marking all over the house.. But I didnt give up on him. Why dont people realizes its a life their accepting responsibility for.
And yes.. your a hero because you step up and try. You cant save them all, but saving just one life is one more than most will even think of.
As for her.. ex-owner. I would write what I say, but they dont even deserve that response.
Makes me wish I lived further north, I'd take Lulu home in a splintered heartbeat.
I'm sorry, Beth. I know how unprepared I was for how sick our first little guy from the shelter was. It was a lot of work, but I would never have dreamed of taking him back. Our second adventure with Barbara and Jeannie has been much easier and as much as we're growing to love them, I'm anxious to adopt them out, so we can make room to rescue another. You've inspired me and many others to try to make a difference, so don't be discouraged...Shannon
This is so sad! I wish I had the space and money for another cat... I've always wanted a black kitty. How can anyone look at that face and not want her? Thank you for trying so hard, Beth. I'm sorry you had such a bad day.
*Huggles* Beth.
...and *huggles* Lulu.
She'll find a much better home and at least she swa saved from the first euthanisia round to buy time for her 'good' family to come along.
That person's comment was clearly transference. They're angry with their own incompetence and inability to cope. Hopefully when they settle down they'll feel guilty enough to donate to a cat rescue agency. (Probably not, but at least Lulu's out of there alive)
Oh Beth, I'm sorry you had such an awful day. Sometimes things just seem to go completely wrong and you can only focus on being angry at people who don't understand the lifetime commitment of taking an animal.
But you do such amazing work, you're saved so many lives! You should be very proud of your work...and I loved reading the next entry about LuLu's real rescue! =)
Post a Comment