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Winston and Rambo
 We
rescued Winston from a municipal shelter within days of his execution.
He had been abandoned there by his family who chained him to the
facility's fence after-hours and left him. He had open sores on his
back, and his nails were so long that he had difficulty walking. He
seemed to be an older dog with some hearing loss, but was housebroken
and had very good manners.
Rambo was also left a small town pound.
He was young and extremely outgoing. Space filled up and his time was
up. We had one opening in a foster home, and Rambo lived. 3 other cats
that day were not so lucky.
These beautiful babies are the lucky ones.
It is a testament to animals everywhere that animals like
Rambo and Winston are willing to trust people again so soon after being
left for dead by their former families. Open your home & heart for animals in need. |
The Real Culpritss
Municipal shelters & staff are NOT "the bad guys".
Unlike a no-kill shelter, a municipal facility does not have the luxury
of saying "no". They must accept all animals that show up at their
doorstep. Their choices are to adopt, transfer, or euthanize them.
When all the cages are full and a new animal comes in the door,
someone's going to die to make space for the new one.
Overpopulation is the #1 killer of companion animals.
Breeders, pet shop owners, people who "buy" animals, and those who do
not spay/neuter are contributing to millions of deaths each year. Each
kitten or puppy born means one less home for a healthy, adoptable animal
in a shelter.
It is sad that perfectly suitable adopters may not
consider adopting from a shelter due to the misconception that there's
something wrong with sheltered animals. Quite often, their prior human
guardian is solely to blame:
"My son is tired of the dog." [Nobody at the pet shop
mentioned a Labrador puppy would soon be 80 lbs. and needed training.]
"My daughter is tired of the cat." [We know people
who gave up their cat then turned around and bought their children a
puppy, as if cats & dogs were toys.]
"The Himalayan I bought a year ago is shedding all
over my expensive leather furniture. She has to go." [Another impulse
buy.]
"I'm pregnant and can't have cats." [Learn the truth
about toxoplasmosis from the
CDC.]
"We just bought a Siberian Husky puppy and spent a lot
of money on surgeries. Now that the dog is a year old, he picks on the
cat. My son sleeps with the cat every night, and he will be
devastated, but we've spent too much money on the dog to get rid of
him. The cat has to go." [What message did the son get from that
lesson?]
"I'm moving and can't take the cat with me." [Ask us
about Pet Friendly Housing. If children were not allowed in an
apartment building, would parents consider moving there? We have known
people who moved to Malaysia and brought their cats with them.]
"My daughter/son/wife/husband has allergies." [Have an
allergy test first to make sure it's the cat. Regular vacuuming and
cleaning may help. Talk with your doctor about medications that might
be suitable.] |
