Rescue. I need to vent. Ukrainians. I have admiration.

[hamsterjill]

Last edited Mon Mar 21, 2022, 07:54 PM - Edit history (1)

I do rescue, specifically cats, and mostly TNR. I’m in Texas. We have our fair share of idiots in Texas. That’s no surprise. We have a massive dog and cat overpopulation problem down here, exacerbated by the people who refuse to spay and neuter and be responsible. To many down here, animals are just property and are treated accordingly.

A lot of us have spent a whole lot of years trying to change that, educate people, and generally save those pets that we can.

The pictures coming out of Ukraine of people fleeing with their pets have just simply touched me in a way that I’ve not felt in a long time. I am inspired by these people and their devotion to their pets.

Today, someone here in Texas sent me a picture of a dog and cat curled up together. The dog is older and has gray hair on his face. The cat is middle age. Their owner has decided to become a traveling nurse and is looking for a new home for them. Together. Hopefully to someone who has some land so that they can run around. Really?

This person has NO idea what kind of pipe dream she is asking for. COVID has cut a lot of spay/neuter resources and we have a surge of puppies and kittens looking for homes. Finding a place for an older dog and cat TOGETHER will be near impossible. Finding homes for them even separately may be as well because the older pets compete with the puppies and kittens.

I’m officially going to hell. I responded to this plea saying that while I appreciated the fact that this person was trying to find a suitable situation for this dog and cat, that the likelihood of finding that here is pretty nil. I sent them a picture of a grandmother leaving Ukraine with a suitcase, a dog on a leash, and two cats tucked into a Fanny pack around her waist. I asked them to please look at that picture and perhaps reconsider keeping the dog and cat themself.

So many people down here simply refuse to see the obvious. They get a pet and if and when it becomes an inconvenience, they just want someone else to take it off their hands. It’s not that simple. There are no magical places for these pets. A pet is a lifetime commitment whether you change jobs, have a baby, move to a new apartment, etc.

If you’ve read this far, thank you. I just needed to get this off my chest. I know that there are times when pets must be rehomed. I really do understand that. And trying to rehome is certainly much better than the alternative that we see down here a lot - either turning them in to the pound as an owner surrender (which means they can immediately be euthanized for space) or just out right dumping them somewhere.

I will use my best efforts to try to find a place for the dog and cat, but I seriously doubt that I will be successful.

I will continue to be inspired by the Ukrainians.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[blm]

1. 💕💕💕

😢🤞🏽

[XanaDUer2]

2. Pets are forever

Thank you for what you do

[Gidney N Cloyd]

3. A lot of the rescues here around Chicago transport pets up from Texas and Alabama.

I've heard a lot of sad stories about the conditions they were found in. I'm not sure why some states seem to get the overpopulation problem while others don't.

[hamsterjill]

4. Yes they do.

And I am most grateful for the rescuers’ help AND the people in other states who adopt from Texas.

A great deal of the problem is attitude towards animals, I believe. Compassion and empathy aren’t high on a lot of Texans moral compasses. We have a lot of good people down here but the bad ones will make you cringe.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

5. Othello is my best friend

He literally saved my life.

The day I adopted him I knew we were together forever. I could never part with my black and white wonderful. I love him to the bottom of my soul.

The only circumstance I would have to leave Othello is my own death.

I have become very suicidal before. I try my best to stay out of the psych hospital for his sake. After all he is the one who gives me a reason to live.

[hamsterjill]

6. I love hearing this. That you value him so greatly.

He is your soulmate and his presence gives your life purpose. You hang in there!!! Othello needs you. If you ever need to talk, we are here.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

7. Thank you.

Been thinking of adopting another cat,too.

As usual kitty will choose me,and Othello,and like Othello this kitty will be treated like the god/goddess they are.😻❤️💓💗💖

Love to all kitties everywhere!

[SheltieLover]

10. I love reading about your love for & dedication to Othello!

[MLAA]

8. Good for you, it sure needed to be said and you did it perfectly.

[SheltieLover]

9. Ty for the work you do!

Here in redneck TN, people have the same attitude you described as being prevalent in TX!

When neighbors move out, they just throw their dogs & cats outside!

The Ukranian people are so amazing! Especially for their care & love for our planetary neighbors!

[hamsterjill]

11. Oh, I've heard about Tennessee, too.

I totally see the same thing. People move out from somewhere down here and leave a bunch of unfixed, unhealthy cats behind. Or turn the dogs loose and just drive away. Can’t be bothered. Happens all the time. The humans never get caught or held accountable.

Breaks my heart, and in reality, gives me horrible anxiety because the cats have to be, at a minimum, trapped and fixed. Many are sick and sometimes the kindest thing is to let them go - although I usually arrive at that decision after a period of trying to fix what’s been done to them, and realizing that there are some things that can’t be fixed. It takes a toll over time - on any and all of us who care. I have no monopoly on the compassion fatigue. It affects everyone who sees abuse and tries to help.

Thanks for your kind words.

[slightlv]

12. You can vent like that anytime!

I'm with you 100%. I'm in mourning right now for my best friend, who died a week ago tomorrow. He was a stray someone just let loose to wander. Despite pictures on every block and posts online, no one ever claimed him. Well, he claimed me. The hole he has left in my heart hurts so bad I can't stand it some days. And yet, there are so many people for whom the companions mean so little they can just turn them loose or turn them in, or euthanize them without a moments pain of thought. I don't understand them at all, and I don't want to. They're not my kind of people, and they're probably republicans!

I've done TNR for years, unofficially. For years in KC, we did it with our usual vet at his prices, because we didn't know there were places that offered it for cheaper. Most of the cats (and dogs) I tried to rehome were a lost cause, and they stayed with me. I couldn't turn them out into the cold, heartless world. Each one was a precious life.

Besides losing my beloved yellow tabby, Sweetie, I have two cats who have been with me for so long... one is 23 and the other is 20. I know they'll cross the Rainbow bridge any day, but I try not to think about it too much. I've got 9 cats here now and one dog who couldn't find a family for 2 years... all spent in a shelter. If we were closer, I'd take the dog and cat in a heartbeat. It breaks my heart they are so close to each other and can't find a family to give them the later days they deserve.

I lived in Texas (I'm ex-Air Force). This was before the Repub takeover of government. Back then, it had it's problems, but San Antonio was a great place to live. I went back for my MIL's funeral and couldn't even find my old stomping grounds, the city had changed so much... and so had the attitudes of the people I met. It hurt then, 'cos SA was my "home of heart" for so many years. My SIL and her husband are moving back this Spring. I think she's just plain nuts. Why go someplace you're a 3rd class citizen? Especially with the changes the state will probably go through with climate change.

You can vent about the "babies" any time. I'm standing right beside you. The work you do is precious. You're caring for the "least of these," the Lady's children. May she bless all your days.

[hamsterjill]

13. Thank you so much.

I’m so sorry for the loss of your baby but I am so grateful for the ones you’ve saved. Thank you for all of your efforts. Every one fixed results in fewer that must suffer.

I’m actually in San Antonio. We started the “no kill” movement officially back in 2004. Eighteen years later, things look better on the outside (new ACS building and better PR), but in reality not much has changed. Like you, I have difficulty turning them away and as you will well understand - - they find US!!! They know who to come to.

You are to be commended on giving yours the long lives. I lost two in 2021 that were at least twenty. My boys. I still feel them on the bed with me at times. They were my protectors.

Yes, Texas has changed and not for the better. Were I not connected here via the rescue and family ties, I would move in a heartbeat.

Thank you again.

[Dreampuff]

15. You are a saint for being there to help animals.

I also love your rant. I have noticed the same thing and have thought of how kind the Ukrainians are and what common sense they have. One of the news stories was showing an animal shelter where several of the people didn't flee because they wanted to stay behind to take care of the animals. And many people carrying their pets. Poland also deserves cheers for welcoming the people and the pets.

I limit my time watching stories about this invasion because it seriously disturbs me, but I think we could learn an awful lot from the Ukrainians about many things we seem to have forgotten. Not sure we ever quite measured up to them. It is so disappointing they weren't allowed to join nato. Can you imagine what kind of awesome allies they would have been? I'm far from a warmonger, but it just seems like there is something more we need to be doing.

[love_katz]

14. Thank you and bless you for this.