32 Cats, Note From Ill Owner Left With Ala. Vets

[Are_grits_groceries]

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) -- Five veterinary clinics in eastern Alabama received 32 surprises in the last week: Healthy cats in containers and carriers, along with notes from an anonymous donor saying she is dying from cancer.

The notes signed by ''Miss R'' beg the vets to find her pets new homes.

''My time is very, very short,'' the donor wrote. ''There is not enough time to find homes for my children another way. I beg you not to let them die because I have to, please!''

''Please do not kill!'' was written in capital letters on each of the containers.

Veterinarian Kim Bond said she found three plastic containers poked with holes sitting at her clinic's front door when she got to work at 7 a.m. a week ago.

Each cat's name, age, description and medical summary was written on its container. At least four other clinics received cats in Lee County, about 50 miles northeast of Montgomery.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-ODD-Cats-Last-Request.html

[shireen]

1. so sad ...

that lady must have been heart-broken, sending her kitties to the vet. But she did the responsible thing, making sure her little ones were given to people who would try to find homes for them.

[mike_c]

2. recommended because I'm devoted to my cats and can SO relate...

...to what that poor woman must have gone through. What a sad story! I hope it has a happy ending for the kitties.

[MelanieArt]

3. From the end of the article:

''These cats were dearly loved,'' Bond told the Opelika-Auburn News. ''They're not feral cats or neglected cats.''

Most have new homes already. Veterinarian Buddy Bruce at Animal Health Center still has the six males dropped off Thursday at his clinic and he's offering discounts on all vet services, such as shots and neutering, to anyone who adopts one of the cats.

The identity and location of the donor is unknown.

''Other vets that I've talked to say the same thing, 'Let's do what we can to find these kitties homes,''' Bruce said. ''These are her children. She took care of the situation the best way she could.''


So happy to hear that the cats will be okay. The poor woman who had to give them up. :(

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

4. Recommending and weeping at the same time. This is so incredibly sad. My cats

are like my children too.

:cry:

[undergroundpanther]

5. I wish this happened closer to me

I would have took one or two in.
Precious cats..hope her last wishes are respected. I hope this woman sees her cats all 32 of them again somehow.

so fucking sad.Another reason this world sucks so bad.

K'N'R if any Du'ers looking for a new cat out that way,contact the vets.Maybe you can help.

[roguevalley]

6. God bless her and her kids. I feel the same way about my four

dogs which is why I go to tai chi and do everything I can think of so that I can live longer than they do. If my elderly boys ever had to carry on without me I would die faster. Bless her, I love her and don't know her but I can relate.

[KoKo]

7. People, animals, kids, birds, creatures of the sea...all dying.......

We protect what we can...we do the best we can.....

[undergroundpanther]

9. I know

but I don't think people are willing to do what it really takes to make a serious difference,because it would take some drastic things people would find uncomfortable,labor intensive,not what they are used to, or just hard,like getting rid of the suburbs,getting used to mixed zoning and living closer together,getting rid of car culture,telling the pentagon to go away,and clean up the military pollution,and forcing companies to clean up the fucking messes THEY made ASAP.And consuming alot,less ,and not worshiping the idea of profit and growth.Deciding to not have kids,or one or two is enough. sharing more and insisting companies make things that LAST..An reducing light pollution,noise pollution along with other pollutions.And that is just the beginning..

[Waiting For Everyman]

8. What a sweet, loving woman.

I hope she was able to see this article, and know that they're being looked after. She must've cried each time she dropped them off, and left hoping for the best. I'm glad her faith in people was justified this time.

[undergroundpanther]

10. I couldn't imagine how hard that was for her to do

seeing her sweet fur child through cat carrier holes, knowing he was meowing in confusion and abandonment fear as she left him there,while she was most likely very,very sick,herself just hoping someone would help...

I wish I could destroy what ever it is that causes situations like that woman and her cats,to be,happen .Whatever it is a force a being that makes reality be so fucking cruel to life.I want to catch it and beat it to a pulp and kill it.If it is a "god" I want it DEAD so shit like this never has to be..

[InvisibleTouch]

11. Glad to hear most of them are already placed.

A K&R for the rest of them, so they'll also find loving homes.

[snappyturtle]

12. K&R Last week my 92 year old mother asked me, "What will happen

to my cats when I die?" Rest assured her family will find good homes for them. I am 1300 miles away and can't take anymore in....all full at the inn here. But, we'll find homes for them. She has one indoor house cat that is her constant companion....devious little thing keeps Mom 'busy'! Mom is an amazng woman....still lives alone and does very well but she's worried about her cats. Interesting how pets can become so important and fulfill a need that even humans can't. That is why I feel so badly for the lady in this story....what a huge loss for her on top of her personal situation.

[bean fidhleir]

13. That's why I haven't adopted any more - I'm 68

My last one died 14 months ago at age 25 - the least-longlived lived 16 years. There's no special reason to think I'll even live to be 85, much less 95.

I don't want my last moments to be spent in sadness and fear, wondering what would become of my cats.

[tuckessee]

14. kick for all Cat Lovers/Worshippers. n/t