Sweet Annie needs a favor

[Nomilynn]

Originally posted by aly
I think you are doing the right thing with Boomer. It is a different situation and he is already your cat. You will make his trip and adjustment to his new home much better since he feels comfortable with you.

I totally agree. There have been several PTers who have taken their own pet with them when they've had to move overseas.

[popcornbird]

Jen, I think it is wonderful that you are willing to do so much to ensure sweet Annie gets a wonderful home. No doubt, PIF's family would make wonderful parents for her and I truely believe she would be happy with them.

That being said, I would like to say something. You know that I very much consider you a friend and respect you, so please don't take anything I say in a negative way. I am only saying this out of concern.

$1,135 is no doubt, a lot of money. I can definitely understand a person spending that much, or even more, to take their pet with them when moving overseas. I'm not *sure* though, if I feel the same about spending to send an animal to a *new* home, overseas though. I know there are many cats in England that are in need of a loving home and would love to move into the care of PIF's family. I also know, that there are MANY people, here in the US, who *would* be willing to take Annie in, and provide her with the best of love and care. Because of that, I don't know how I feel about spending all that money when it isn't completely neccessary. Putting the money issue aside, I also worry about Annie and the long journey, that she would be making alone. I do think it is worth having an animal travel when one has to move with its family, but I don't know if its worth making an animal go through all that to get it to a new home overseas. This is my concern, and know that I say it with respect, while acknowledging that you have the best of intentions in mind, and are trying to do the best you can for Annie. I know that, so please don't mind anything that I said.

I wish the best for you, for PIF, and especially for Annie, and pray that whatever you do turns out to be the best in her interest, as well as in the interest of her future family. I will be following Annie's updates, and praying that the journey is easy on her, and that everything goes smoothly. My questions are just out of concern, and I would love to hear and understand your reasons for this, as I am positive you must have good and well thoughtout reasons to do this, that perhaps we don't understand because we don't know as much as you do.

[PayItForward]

.....arguments but I can guess what I have missed.

Yes, It would be best for Annie to stay forever with Jen in America but she deserves a forever home.

Second best to find a local home but if she couldn't find one as a cute kitten, she is going to struggle as a difficult young adult.

If anyone suddenly appears at Jen's with a good home for Annie in the next months, I have already said it would be best for Annie to stay in America, rather than stress her out with travelling.

But do you realise someone at the rescue wants to return her to a barn life as they think she is unadoptable *shudder*

I even wrote a new write up for Annie, to help her find a home but even being cat of the month has not help Annie.

Here are the writeups I did for Jen's special fosters.
http://www.piftails.com/main/OneByOne.html

When Jen posted the first thread suggesting we adopt Annie and asked for money support. I emailed her saying if we decided to adopt Annie the cost would be our responsibility to ship Annie over and Jen altered the thread.

We have/will have $830 for Annie's journey, it was only when the cost was $300 more than I had budgeted for that I was worried, I was moved by the fact so many people said they wanted to help, that I allowed this thread to be created.

I am so thankful that SAS's Breeder friend give us the correct additional costs, as I thought I had researched all the costs before we even decided to adopt Annie.

I am more negative than Jen, I actually expected the mixed reaction. Why transport a cat so far, it was and is our responsibility ? We have no right to ask for help with the additional unbudgeted for cost.

I will leave this post up today to allow any replies to my post to be posted and then ask Karen to lock it so it will drop off the lists.

But please keep up with Annie's journey, she might be a month or two late due to the addition $300 we'll need to save but she'll will get here and I'll be posting a million photos.

PIF

PS. If you have a friend who will be suitable to love Sweet Annie in PA, USA let Jen know, I would miss her but I have to think about Annie first

[jenluckenbach]

Jenny,
I am sorry I even opened my BIG mouth
The only thing I can say is DON'T you all think we KNOW! ? ! ?Everything you argued about has been covered in conversation.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Jen and Jenny,

I trust the two of you to make whatever decision is in the best interests of Annie.

I, for one, am excited that Annie has found a home, even if it is expensive to get her there.

There are strong points on both sides of the argument.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I am sure that some PT'ers will make a donation, whilst others will view it as a waste of money.

As with all donations, and even moral support, this is a personal decision.

[Logan]

I'm a bit surprised at you guys. Jen and Jenny didn't ask for an opinion, they gave people an opportunity to send them a private message if they felt inclined to donate towards the $300 needed to get Annie "home". One thing I know for certain, if Jen, an experienced rescuer, feels this is in Annie's best interest, then I'm not going to question it. Jenny and Jen, I wish you both the best of luck making this happen, and I hope Annie will be very happy in "Merry Ole England"!!!

[catnapper]

I don't understand what the big hub-bub is. The trip is long and will startle her... but its one trip and will be over when she's in her new home. Why startle her twenty times over by bringing her to adoption events to be on display and then packed back up into a carrier for the return trip? One big trip will save her many anxiety ridden little trips.

As for the money? Don't people pay half that much for a full-bred cat... some might even pay more depending on the breed. The thousand dollar cost should not be an issue for something that will bring joy to their lives for another 20 years. The only cost that is outrageous in people's minds is the traveling one.... since the others are all shots and proceedures she'd likely have anyway.

As for Annie being scared in a new country, she'll be fine Its a mazing what a little love and patience can do to.

Should Jenny be deprived of a wonderful new pet that she's fallen in love with just because the cost is high and the trip is long? Jen has known Annie for 8 months. Jen would not risk sending her overseas is Annie wouldn't be able to handle it. Come on, use common sense... Jen's as loving and commited to cats as anyone on this board; do you honestly think that she'd put a cat purposely in a situation that would traumatize her forever?

I think what they are doing is wonderful. I've met Annie and I think she'll flourish in her new home in England.

[aly]

People are not being unreasonable or rude. Opinions were expressed in very friendly ways and very valid points were raised. I appreciate PIF taking the time to explain the situation and wish it was explained like that from the get-go.

I have to admit that I was a bit taken aback by the plea for money for this though. I think a group of people should have been pm'd and asked for help. But the public soliciting did make me uneasy in this situation. When PT cats are sick and really need the money, are people going to be less likely to contribute because they have been donating to less necessary things on this board? I don't want to see it get to that point. I constantly have fosters that have vast medical needs that I can't even afford. I work it out though and wouldn't ever ask the kind people on here to give me money. I really think those donations should be saved for emergencies.

I am also a very experienced rescuer/foster mom/shelter worker and I know there are many people willing to take in cats like Annie. I've fostered ferals and semi-ferals before and was able to place them with wonderful people like PayItForward (but they were local). Its really all in the approach you take.

Just because people have differing opinions, it does not automatically mean they are attacking you. Being able to take constructive criticism makes you a better, stronger person.

With all that said, I think once Annie gets to PIF and is over that long flight, I will be very happy. I know she will have a wonderful home there.

[Nomilynn]

Originally posted by Logan
I'm a bit surprised at you guys. Jen and Jenny didn't ask for an opinion, they gave people an opportunity to send them a private message if they felt inclined to donate towards the $300 needed to get Annie "home".

Jen also asked for moral support, and PT being the kind of place it is, when we have a concern for an animal those issues WILL be brought up.

I only posted my opinions because I'm concerned for Annie's well-being. If you don't choose to see/believe that then you are missing the point.



Jenny - thank you for your post. It is very clear to me that you are thinking of the many sides of the issue, and thank you for clearing up some confusion. I hope that whatever does happen, that Annie and you are more than thrilled with the situation

[moosmom]

My main concern was Sweet Annie and the long ride to the UK. So why, after all these posts voicing the same concerns, was I made out to look like the bad guy here???

[Logan]

Moral support

Naomi, I'm not trying to fight with anyone, so please don't misunderstand what I said. But to me, "moral support" means support, and in this case, I took it that Jen was wanting to make anyone who couldn't/wouldn't contribute feel ok about that. At the time your girl was so sick, I couldn't offer anything but prayers and "moral support", but I did do that, and frequently. My prayer list is "knee deep" at all times. I don't always agree with or understand people's decisions either, but I'm learning to try and be supportive, regardless.

Best intentions, I promise.

[Prairie Purrs]

From my experience with "scaredy cats," I doubt that a trip in a cargo hold without people around would be horribly traumatizing for Annie. Riding with the passengers--all those people!--would probably be harder for her. And if the adoption agency has been considering returning her to barn-cat status, this may be Annie's only chance.

If Jen was passing the hat at the office to get a birthday gift for our friend Jenny, I doubt anyone would be offended or question whether it was necessary. And helping out in this instance isn't going to make me less likely to help someone else out, to whatever extent I'm able to do so. Friends help friends in whatever way they can--sometimes money, sometimes prayers and positive energy.

[shais_mom]

First off, Jenny (PIF) your post was beautifully written. And I thank you for not thinking that those of us that have concerns, have it out for you or Annie or Jen L b/c that is truly not the case.
I do applaud you for willing to take on sweet Annie and the expenses, I wish I could have afforded to rescue a dog from NY after the WTC attack, but I couldn't. There is no shame in that either. I do not agree with outside cats, so I don't understand how someone that is in rescue is wanting to make a cat a Barn outside cat. In reference to

But do you realise someone at the rescue wants to return her to a barn life as they think she is unadoptable *shudder*

that statement. If they want to do that then why rescue the kitty at all?
Once again, PIF thank you for understanding that we don't have it in for you and that our concern is also Annie's well being.

[PayItForward]

Originally posted by shais_mom
First off, Jenny (PIF) your post was beautifully written. And I thank you for not thinking that those of us that have concerns, have it out for you or Annie or Jen L b/c that is truly not the case.

I understand everyone concerns as I share some of them and I have previously thought about everything that was raised.

I wanted to thank everyone for their opinions , whether I agree or not. What I was impressed with was the universal concern with Annie's well being. That is why Pet Talk is a very special place.

The happy news, due to one very large donation, I think we'll get Annie here very soon. A special heart felt to that special lady you know who you are

I think everyone has had time to state an opinion, so as I mentioned in my earlier post I am going to ask Karen to lock this thread.

Thankyou PIF