Hoop Jumping

David and I just returned from a blissful holiday in New England.  Lots of B&B's, hand holding, hiking and high-fat meals.  It was heavenly. :)  Whenever we go out of town, we  always visit the local  animal shelter, get some information, play with cats and leave a donation.  This time,  we went to North Country Animal League in Vermont.   Typical - they had only black and white cats and black cats left.  But those guys looked happy to see us!  :)

The rescue had been very quiet - a little too quiet - when I left.  The volunteers ended up being very busy and jumping through hoops to get 4 sweet cats  adopted.  It's amazing what we have to do to get cats adopted during the summer months.  Pathetic.  The hardworking volunteers sounded happy to have me back.

I'm doing something this weekend that I've never done before.  Thanks to recent donations and very healthy foster cats,  we're reducing our usual $175.00 adoption fee to $75.00 for a one day only adoption event.  Honestly, I'm scared to death.  I'm afraid of everybody being adopted at such an awesome rate, and I'm also afraid nobody will show up!  The adoption rate includes everything we usually include - spay/neuter surgeries too! 

Obviously, we're losing a ton of money.  But think of the cats that will get homes!  :)

Another local rescue recently published  what they went through at the "high kill shelter" on a vet day.  It was very surreal to read about what they went through.  I felt as if I was experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as my stomach did flip-flops.  I remembered (all too well) and felt the pain of knowing that I couldn't save them all.  Those of you who have been reading this blog for the past 5  years know that I'm not a stranger to what happens at this shelter.  For a moment, I had a sense of relief that another rescue was taking over the torch, so-to-speak. 

The writer of this article usually writes about nonsense stuff - "fur mommies" and "fur babies" and other sophomoric dribble.  But this time it was different.  She wrote from the heart and the pain was  apparent.  It's the kind of pain that only somebody that has been there can  fully understand.  They took a bunch of cats and I wish them the very best with them.  This is not a rescue that I support, but am happy for the cats that are alive. 

So it seems to be another summer of jumping through hoops.  We're loaded with cats in our program and there are others waiting for our help.   Wish us luck on Sunday.  If you come visit?  I'll be the volunteer gripping the adoption fee collections with white knuckles.