Poll .... Your HONEST opinion PLEASE!!!

[jenluckenbach]

1) ALL rescue organizations need to say NO sometimes.
2) If all you can help is 1 animal, you've done good. So you need have NO guilt FOR THOSE YOU need TO TURN AWAY.
3) Going into debt over your head will not help anyone.
4) You can not save the world.
5) Charge a set adoption fee even for those animals that have not cost you that much (because the next animal might cost more) The idea is to have it even out in the end.
6) Ask for a drop-off fee. If a person wants to relinquish their cat badly enough, they can make a donation towards its care. (Our local SPCA charges for drop-off)
7) The more animals that pass through your doors the greater chance that you will encounter deaths. This is a fact of life.
8) Find other people also interested in rescue and start up an organization that can possibly one day be turned into a full-fledged non-profit organization that can then start doing fund-raising etc. ALL groups start with one person.
9) An most importantly know this:

YOU'VE DONE GREAT THINGS AND WE ARE ALL PROUD OF YOU !!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Originally posted by sasvermont
"Do what you want and can do....and listen to your heart. "

Kim, I also agree with this. Please don't feel guilty about not being able to save every cat or kitten that comes your way. In my eyes you are an angel and have done so much good for these poor homeless cats.

[kimlovescats]

I don't know what to say except, you ALL are such wonderfully loving and SPECIAL people!!! You have truly touched me, and helped me to step back and take a look at the situation through YOUR eyes. This is exactly what I needed. I tend to be my own worst enemy at times, and I was unable to see any clarity to this situation. Thank you for helping me see more clearly, and helping me to realize that I have done some good.

I love you all!

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

You really do wonderful work, and it is an emotianal and financial sacrifice for you to do so. But I am sure the rewards are great, when you know that you have saved a life, and found a little furkid a forever home!

I will not even pretend that I have done 10% of what you do, but I have nursed a kitten into the small hours, and gone back to check a couple of hours later to find that it has gone to the RB. It hurts, but I always focus on the fact that at least the kitten knew how it felt to be held, and loved and fed, and when it passed on it was in a soft warm bed.

I am totally in awe of the work that you, and other rescue workers do.

I would ask myself - even if the animal passes to the RB - "would the animal have been better off if I had not intervened" - the answer will disctate what you should do. And I am sure you will find that in 99.9% of cases, the animal is better off in your care.

I have posted this poem before, but I'd really like you to read it again!!!!

(((HUGS)))

Julie

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We Are Their Heroes
Copyright © Jim Willis 2001, all rights reserved


If you worry that you have not made a difference, you have,
for only those who do not worry about it have not.
If you feel overwhelmed, if the weight of problems is too heavy to bear,
remember it is a shared burden
and the strength of numbers can accomplish much.

If you think society and government are blind,
it only serves to remind that we need to change
one mind at a time, one law after another.
We effect change by cooperation, not by isolation.

If you consider that we cannot save them all,
and what difference does one make?,
you ought to know the joy of the one who is saved.
Mourn those we cannot save, it is a eulogy to their being.
Do not let their loss be in vain.

Be kind to yourself, remember your needs
and those of your family and friends of every species.
If you give everything, what will you have left for yourself,
or for them?
Strive to be happy and healthy. You are needed.
Achieving balance in life is a lifelong struggle.
We who help those who do not have all that they need
should be among the most grateful for what we have.

Be proud of your accomplishments, not your opinions.
The quality of your efforts is more important than the quantity.
Forgive your own deficiencies - sometimes your caring is sufficient.
Everyone can do something, it is up to you to do the thing you can.
A kind word and a gentle touch can change a life.

If anger wells up within you, because people are the problem,
remember your humanity and that people are also the solution.
Concentrate on specific needs, pay attention to the individual -
they make up the whole.
See beyond the unlovable, the unattractive,
the impure and the wounded -
see that their spirit is as deserving as the rest. Help them heal.
Their eyes are windows to their soul
and the mirror of your sincerity.

All species, all beings, share this Earth in a chain of life.
Care more about what makes us alike than what separates us.
Policies, rules and regulations are not infallible.
Apply them judiciously, interpret them wisely.
No decision based purely on money is ever the right one.

Listen to your heart. Sometimes we have to do that which
we are most afraid of.
Be true to yourself and your beliefs.
Family may abandon you,
friends may disappoint you, strangers will ridicule you.
People shun what they do not understand.
Help them to understand - kindly, softly, gently.

Those who do not respect all life are to be pitied.
Often the wrongdoer is as in need of help as his victims.
Forgive, then teach by example.
Educate yourself or you cannot hope to teach others.
No action based in hatred is ever right
and anger drowns out wisdom.

Yours may be a voice crying in the wilderness,
make it a voice to be respected.
Listen more than you talk, be courteous and reliable.
Learn to ask for help. Never waiver from the truth.
Know that it takes a lot of strength to cry
And with every defeat, we learn.

All Creation celebrates that which is in its own best interest.
The Children are our hope - nurture them.
Nature is our legacy - protect it.
The Animals are our brethren - learn from them.

Your rewards will not be material, but they will be meaningful,
and the courage of your convictions can survive anything.
We are small boats cast adrift on a cruel sea,
but someday the tide will turn toward a safe harbor.
No matter how dark the storm clouds,
or deep the pain of heartbreak - never forget:
We are their heroes.

[bisi.cat]

This is such an overwhelming and emotional post and it shows how much love you all have for cats and how caring you all are...but there are people out there who aren't that way and these people try to burden their decisions to you, they don't think about their cats or you, they are only concerned about themselves and these are the people, who all make us sick and angrey...

But always remember these people will always exist and it's tough to ever change their attitude, even if you would take in all the cats they want to get rid off...these people would remain the same knowing that they have reached what they wanted so easily...

Your work is so awesome...so don't ever let you feel bad, because one of those idiots want to push you in responsiblity for something you aren't responsible of...

Like every shelter you have to set restrictions, but always remember you have done more than any could ask for...you've helped so many cats and made them happy, but you cannot help them all...to help them all would mean to change all people's attitude towards other beings and who has ever succeeded here completely?!

YOU ARE DOING GREAT WORK, KIM!!!
Don't you ever forget that!!!

[catmandu]

That is a tough question , because no matter what , we cannot rescue Every Cat! And at 12 , I think that I have reached my limit as the Last Two , thank God , I was able to get into a Better Place. But there are still Cats that come around and I will feed and shelter them , the best that I can. But I cannot take anymore in , although the little Tabby , Sweetie Pie is coming around , and shes only one more!People are so irresponsable!

[kimlovescats]

Ally......... what a WONDERFUL and BEAUTIFUL poem..... thank you SO MUCH for sharing this!

Thank you also Bisicat and Catmandu for your support and kindness!