10/14/2026
A few weeks ago we learned about a situation where cats and kittens were found in deplorable condition with some deceased in their kennels at what was known as a rescue just a few hours away. Sadly, one of the shelters we work with had transferred some of their cats to this organization. When the news broke they scrambled to get their surviving cats back and in doing so exhausted all of their foster homes which left no options for the ones coming into the shelter. When they reached out for help we were fortunate to be able to place five ringworm laden sweeties and this cutie to help them avoid euthanizing.
Every time a story like this gets uncovered it makes it harder for everyone. The word “rescue” to identify organizations in our industry has never done a good job of encompassing what we actually do or what we should be measured by, but taking in an as many animals as possible certainly isn’t it. It is the easiest thing in the world to say yes. It requires no skill or effort and very little thought. Saying yes comes with immediate gratification and when done publicly praise and an influx of funds, but what follows that yes is what matters and comes with far less fanfare. The work it takes to care for living beings, coordinate fosters/volunteers/vet care/ongoing fundraising efforts and everything in between to maintain successful outcomes is mostly out of sight. There are absolutely wonderful moments along the way, but the majority of this work is a million not particularly fun, boring, repetitive tasks that all add up to being able to create a better future for the lives that depend on you. It’s an enormous responsibility for a field that has almost a non existent barrier of entry. And until a greater emphasis is placed on quality of care and outcomes rather than on the number of animals an organization takes in, these stories will continue.