Why do I do it????

[Lizzie]

Fortunately for me, the cats in the adoption room at "my" Petsmart are from the shelter where I volunteer and I know the adoption counselors are very selective so I don't need to worry about those cats. The place where I easily lose self-control is the geriatric and clinic rooms at the shelter. The desire to scoop up another elderly cat so she/he can spend their last year(s) snuggled on the bed with me is so strong that it's fortunate the shelter won't let me add to my foster group which stands at eight. Last time I was there, I had to meet with the vet in the clinic rather than in the usual small office, and saw a cat who had simply stopped eating and was fading away. The shelter does what they can but their staff is there only eight hours a day, not enough to give syringe feedings that would give a cat like this a chance to turn around. I wanted to beg the vet to let me take her, to see if I could help or simply to let her die in more comfort, but I knew they would say "no". And, in truth, rightly so since it would take time away from the other fosters in need. There is only so much time, so much money, and only two arms, always very frustrating when you see the constant need.

[GILL]

I don't dare go to any of those places. The last time I went too a shelter was to pull 1 we came home with 2. At that time our limit was 6, shortly it went to 12 now we limit too 15. As it is I have a baby coming from S.C. in 2 weeks. It seems that the girls are starting to out number the boys. Us guys still have a 1 up advantage.
The one thing that I can recomend is getting involved with transports. It does not matter cat or dog. This past Sunday we moved a real sweet dog. Picked him up in N.J. and took him too CT. He now has a forever home on 3 acres in CT. This guy had been in the shelter a very long time. All he wanted to do is give hugs and kisses. When you get a kiss from a pitt bull you know you've been kissed, that tounge is a mile wide.