09/14/2024
All of this and then some. It's a sad reality for us in rescue. Yes, there is a lot of rewarding moments, absolutely. I know I've done a lot of good for cats that did make it and now they're living their best lives in a comfortable and warm home. But, we cannot keep up. There is no secret on how this cycle can stop.
Spay and neuter!
It's the only way out of this mess.
Dedicated to sweet Cheeto who came into my care in Sept. 2016 - departed July 5th 2022. His sweet life started with severe upper respiratory issues, gunked eyes, broken back leg, weighing 1 pound at 6 weeks of age. I could never right all his health issues and he left me too soon due to kidney failure from ongoing health issues.
I’m leaving this here so others can copy and share
This post is for everyone to read, whether you own a pet now, surrendered a pet, found a stray, etc. The exhaustion, dread that is felt by rescuer's when answering calls, reading messages/emails, and especially checking Facebook posts. The damage done to the hearts and souls of those in rescue dedicating their lives, their funds for the sake of the cats/dogs from keyboard warriors, the faceless phone, email, messages is taking a great toll this sad rescue year as never before. In my over 30 years of rescue work I have never seen the amount of desperation, dispare from those trying to right the wrongs of careless owners.
So I’m going to be extremely blunt and post something I’ve never spoke on too much because honestly, I avoid creating posts that l feel people would try and pick apart and debate with me on. But, I feel it’s important that I post an eye opener for some of you that may need it. For those that take advantage of us rescuers especially, please read this.
Want to know something scary? Any yes, it is scary and you’ll understand why by the end of this post.
Society has finally pushed us rescuers to a point of wanting to quit entirely this year. They have turned our passion and hobby into a chore and a job. They have turned our hearts cold towards others and our minds numb from so much heartbreak. Our physical health completely shot because we care more about the animals than ourselves. Because we clean up others’ responsibilities and “messes” every single day.
Pretty soon, you won’t have anyone to surrender your animal to when you can’t afford emergency vet care for them.
You won’t have a trusted source to surrender your animal to when you’ve decided you “work too much” or “have a baby on the way” either.
There will be no one to call when an animal is hit by a car or found roaming the streets, skin and bones and actively dying.
Think you’re just gonna call your regular or emergency vet to surrender? Think again. Vets are done with society too. They’re burnt out just like us rescuers, if not more. Vets are literally unaliving themselves and quitting their jobs and passions they spent 10 years in college for.
There will be no one to call. No one. And then what? What will happen to your pet? To your best friend? To the stray you’ve been feeding and grown attached to?
There will eventually be no more rescues to help the animals because there is such a huge imbalance in the world of cats, kittens, and rescue. All of these “free to good home” kittens and all of these pet owners not fixing their cats so they keep popping out babies as if it’s a kitten-making factory in their living room. Creating thousands more kittens each year, keeping the kitties sitting in shelters and rescues from finding a home.
Too many cats and irresponsible and lazy pet owners. Not enough money, fosters, adopters, and volunteers.
And. It. Will. Never. Stop. This cycle will never stop.
Have you ever seen a rescue post an adorable kitten that’s up for adoption? How many comments and interactions did it have? 1 comment maybe? Okay, now have you ever seen a person post an adorable kitten “free to good home”. And how many comments and interactions did that post have? Yeah. Exactly our point.
Let’s talk about those cute kittens for a minute. People get them “free” way to young. Mommy needs to teach them how to be a cat. This means they need to be with her at least 10 weeks. They need to learn the litter box, eating, interacting with animals/people, grooming & just be a good cat. Those tiny kittens more than likely will go through fading kitten syndrome. You will call a rescue to help because your “free” kitten isn’t worth a vet visit because it will be expensive and by the time you realize the kitten is failing, it’s to late. It’s not fun holding a Dying kitten as they gasp for their last breath and you cry till their body is cold. Every single one takes a piece of your heart and we only have so much to take.
Rescues literally lower their adoption fees next to nothing at times like this (even though vetting that animal more than likely cost them $150-$300) and people still won’t apply because…. well, lazy. “Too much work” to put in for a 15-20 year companion/best friend. Or $150 is “too expensive” for a fully vetted cat or kitten.
It’s all only getting worse each day.
Don’t be surprised when the rescues you follow and lean on for support and help start posting that they’re closing up shop. We are not okay. And who’s to blame? I’ll give you a hint - it’s NOT mother nature. It’s the irresponsible pet owners and those that feed strays, but don’t fix them.
STOP bashing rescues!
If you think something is off, GO HELP them!
Stop being a keyboard warrior running your mouth behind a screen.
We do this for the love of animals!
I don’t want an at a boy or a pat on the back.
It’s a money loosing endeavor but that one you save makes it worth it.
Lastly
When you call a rescue for help, at least offer food, cleaning supplies or maybe find out who they use for vetting and call, put money on their account.
