Rescue....

[catnapper]

I have had a short discussion with a friend tonight. We were discussing cat rescue, and she didn't seem to consider herself a rescuer. I personally beg to differ and I can cite a hundred cats she's successfully fostered off the top of my head.

What do you consider to be rescue? Is it something as simple as finding a home for the stray that found refuge in your garage or is it wading through snow banks to save that pregnant mama cat before her kittens emerge into the world, then hand feeding them after mama turns them away? Perhaps both and everything in between?

When you think of rescue, what do you think about?

[Laura's Babies]

To me, a rescuer is anyone that gives a kiity (or other animal) a life it would not have otherwise had... a home, love, medical care, a dry,warm safe place to sleep, food... any or all of the above.

[Grace]

What Laura said.

We have 5 cats; 2 of them were chosen by us; the other three just happened to cross our paths.

[Lizzie]

For me, a rescuer is someone who takes in a cat (or other animal) for that animal's good and in spite of the rescuer's inconvience. So, someone who goes to a shelter to adopt because they want a cat or dog, while this is a great thing to do, is not a rescuer. Someone on the way to work who sees an animal that needs help, stops and does what is needed in spite of knowing they are going to be metaphorically shot when they get in late, they are a rescuer. It's accepting a cat that you don't really like, or that is going to cost you more than you can afford, or that has behavior that you really wish you didn't have to deal with. It's when the benefit to the animal outweighs the benefit to the rescuer. Although, those of us who rescue (and I'm very small time) know that the friendship, companionship, trust and fun that we get from our rescued animals makes us feel blessed in spite of all the problems we face.

[jenluckenbach]

See, I consider myself a "volunteer with a rescue group". I am a foster mom (BIG time!!!! ) I donate a lot of time, money, effort and LOVE to the homeless (cats) but I don't consider myself a "RESCUER". I don't trap ferals. I don't stop and pick up strays off the street. I don't go into hoarders homes to bring the cats out. To me THAT defines a rescue.

[K & L]

I believe rescue is anyone helping a feline, whether it be foster, TNRing, or just finding a home for one cat, or giving a homeless cat a home. There's just different levels of rescue. Any cat saved, or helped, is a cat rescued!

[Sonia59]

I believe rescue is anyone helping a feline, whether it be foster, TNRing, or just finding a home for one cat, or giving a homeless cat a home. There's just different levels of rescue. Any cat saved, or helped, is a cat rescued!

I would say the same. There are just various degrees of involvement in rescuying.

[catmandu]

a Rescuer is to me,someone who takes a Cta from a Bad Sitauation whether they are homeless or not,and gets them to a place where they are loved and respected.
A Good Furr Ever Home that the Poor Cat gets is a Gold Star for the Rescuer at The Rainbow Bridge,and Rewards are Great for Those Rescuers.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I don't stop and pick up strays off the street.

But you do, Jen! I seem to remember a certain kitty...don't remember if he was hanging out in your back yard, or maybe a neighbor's backyard? Anyway, you took him in and fostered him - albeit through the "rescue group", but it was still you who got him off the street. So there, you are a rescuer!

[kimlovescats]

Here is what the dictionary says:

res·cue ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rsky)
tr.v. res·cued, res·cu·ing, res·cues
To set free, as from danger or imprisonment; save. See Synonyms at save1.
Law. To take from legal custody by force.

n.
An act of rescuing; a deliverance.
Law. Removal from legal custody by force.

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I believe that anyone who comes to the aid of a kitty who otherwise would be miserable, lonely, sick, in harm or caged for most of their life, is a rescuer!