Why do I do it????

[pomtzu]

Every time I take the dogs to the groomer at Petsmart, I just have to stop by the adoption center and check out all the kitties. I always find at least one that I would love to bring home, but with my son's 2 cats, we have agreed on our limit of 2 dogs and 2 cats, so it's not an option for adoption of another. I keep saying that I'm not even going to just look anymore, since I leave the store feeling bad that I can't bring another home. Yesterday was no exception.

In addition to the regular group from the Humane Society, they had about a dozen from a local rescue group, and they were all special needs cats. Of course I had to read the card on each cage that listed their bio. How sad! Some were deaf, one was deaf and blind in one eye, another with brain damage, another with partial paralysis, but the one that grabbed me had such a sad story. His/her (? - I didin't take note of that) story just made me sick. He was named Gypsy aka Buckshot, and was a huge and beautiful long haired orange and white, and probably part Maine Coon - about 2 years old. He was found as a stray - emaciated, matted, and full of buckshot! How could someone do that??? He was vetted and most of the buckshot removed, altho some remains in his shoulder and therefore he will develop arthritis as he ages. He obviously thrived in his foster home, and looked like the picture of health. What an absolute sweetheart he is - so mellow - and he just hammed it up for me - rolling around and showing me his big beautiful belly and wanting scritches and belly rubs. It broke my heart to have to leave without him. I was so upset - I just wanted to snatch him up and bring him home. How could anybody have been so cruel and abusive to such a beautiful animal - or any animal??? Sometimes I just hate my fellow man.

Then after I got home, I realized that I got so wrapped up in that cat, that I forgot to leave a tip for the groomer. That made me feel even worse. So now I have to call the store this morning and find which groomer did the poochies, then go back down and leave her a tip. Of course I'll probably go talk to "my cat" again and leave the store feeling down in the dumps again. I'm just a big marshmallow - I hate it!!! I wish I was tough sometimes........

[Randi]

When you love cats it's difficult to go and look if you can't take one of them, so I understand your frustration. It's so sad that so many kitties need homes.

I guess the only thing we can do when we can't take in any more animals in our homes, are to try to convince our friends and family how wonderful they are, and hope they'll take some. And to keep spreading the word of how important it is to get them fixed etc. It would be nice also if people didn't get cats/dogs from breeders.

It might help a bit if TV stations and newspapers/magazines had some programmes and articles about the situation.

Sending positive thoughts that they will all be adopted.

[catnapper]

I too get caught up in their stories. Its hard NOT to!

I just want to strangle people sometimes. How can people do anything to cause harm to a pet? I've heard so many stories, and when you think you've heard it all, someone tells you a new one.

[Taz_Zoee]

For the longest time when I first started volunteering at the shelter I couldn't even go look at the dogs without getting tears in my eyes. The cat section was more difficult to avoid since I had to walk right through it to the volunteer room. But over the months I just tell myself "all of these animals WILL find homes". And that really helps. Sometimes I'll see one that really tugs at my heart, but I know they are forever safe.

[Medusa]

I can't go to the Humane Society or even pet supply stores on adoption day because I'm a marked woman. My heart can't take the ache any more. Unfortunately, the story that you told of buckshot kitty is an all too common occurrence around here. I live in a semi-rural community and people (I'd say "men" but that would be a compliment) brag about using cats for target practice. They say that they're doing people a favor by ridding the community of ferals and pests. They make me sick. So don't feel too bad, Ellie. You're not alone in how you feel.

[catmandu]

I just cant go in that room , as I have the maximum number of Cats allowed and I couldnt adopt if I wanted to.
But they dont know that and its
Hey Mister over here
I would be a great Cat
Hey Look me over
I would love you furrever
And be your Friend and make you happy
Pleeease dont go away
Hey Mister COME BACK!!!
pleease

[pomtzu]

I can't go to the Humane Society or even pet supply stores on adoption day because I'm a marked woman. My heart can't take the ache any more. Unfortunately, the story that you told of buckshot kitty is an all too common occurrence around here. I live in a semi-rural community and people (I'd say "men" but that would be a compliment) brag about using cats for target practice. They say that they're doing people a favor by ridding the community of ferals and pests. They make me sick. So don't feel too bad, Ellie. You're not alone in how you feel.

I live in the same type of area with the same goings-on. Too darn many people with guns and Redneck mentality. I had just never met a survivor "up close and personal".

I need to think more like Taz when she says that now "they are forever safe and they will find homes". I'll have to remember to think like that the next time I look thru the adoption center.

I did have to go and talk to Gypsy when I went back in this morning too. Gosh - she is so beautiful - and yup - it's a girl. Of course she had to perform for me again. At least she could have ignored me!