They already had dogs that do not look so good. And kids.
The aftermath was unwanted lives.
The first time I saw their porch, it was crawling in kittens who were starved.
They immediately relinquished the five kittens, when I asked, and I took their mother to be fixed, but they wanted her back. I had no choice but to return her, but she was at least fixed. Heartland took the five kittens.
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| Five kittens, and their mom. Mom was fixed and returned, the five kittens went to Heartland. |
They would not let me take a pregnant young gray kitty to be fixed. She had her kittens and wouldn't nurse them. They all died. I found one dead kitten by their porch.
I went and got that female. They no longer wanted her. Fortunately, Heartland also took in Cayenne. Thank you Heartland Humane.
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| Cayenne, cat number six removed from Gray Cat trailer. |
It was not long after, I found out they had yet another adult female with kittens. What? They didn't want them, as they were sick. KATA went and took that mom and three kittens. The count is up to 10 removed, with one fixed female returned. It was the next day, the guy at the trailer said they didn't want the two teens left. He claimed repeatedly they'd have them ready to go, but never did. So I went and trapped them. Only then was I told there were four more unfixed cats there, but they wanted the adult male back. I trapped three of the four. Kiki and Elton, went to a Wilsonville foster lady, after they were fixed. I returned the adult male, after he was fixed. Count now is 12 relinquished, two fixed and returned.
Yesterday I trapped that final teen, Lucky. Two cats fixed and returned, 13 relinquished. Now they have pitbull puppies, who will grow up to eat a ton of food each. How will they feed them, their other dogs and the two cats, keep them flea free, worm free, vaccinated? I worry.
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| Lucky |
But 13 are safe and the other two fixed. I tell this story as an example. Not of the work involved in solving just this one situation. Cleaning up after someone's impulse to get a kitten that was never fixed requires lots of resources. 13 families will have to decide to adopt, in order for them all to get homes. While thousands of other cats and kittens also hope for a home, because this one trailer is hardly uncommon. 13 families. For the cats bred at one trailer. Come on, folks, we can do better than this. Fix your kitties!
I am making a plea is all. Before you get that free kitten or puppy, think about it a day. Ask yourself if you can provide for the kitten or puppy--shots, spay, neuter, training, litter. Investigate how much these things will cost. Educate yourself on issues surrounding cats and dogs, such as diseases they can get and spread to other cats and dogs, or even to people, overpopulation issues, all that.
It's like having a child. Having a child is very very expensive, from prenatal care to childbirth, then all the clothes, diapers, food, toys, education. Most people understand they have to plan for a child and the money to support a child and educate themselves on all the issues.
You tell an excellent cautionary tale of pets and what can happen. And you are so very correct. We can and should do better.
ReplyDeleteI would hope we could do better. Would not take much to do better.
DeleteSigh.
ReplyDeleteIt happens here too. And fills me with despair. And anger.
I am so glad that thanks to your work a lot of those cats have a much better life ahead.
At least at that one trailer...but, given their history, I bet if they see a free kitten, they'll get it, without even blinking or thinking.
DeleteThis reminds me of a childhood lesson forever treasured. When our precious adopted mutt got pregnant my parents paid for her neutering as soon as possible. Maybe it could have been done sooner but I can't judge inexperienced and devoted young parents of four kids. That counts double or more when Dad asked adopters to pay for each of the three puppies. He only asked five dollars USD but in the 1970's that probably made a difference to the dogs' outcome. At least that's what he hoped. And I never forgot.
ReplyDeleteI know neutering humans is totalitarian, but the statute tempts me. Bless you for your valor.
Ha ha, on neutering humans. I can be all for it, and say so, because I'm spayed myself. Your dad was way ahead of his time with those dogs.
DeleteI'll have to pass the praise on to my father. :)
DeleteIf only the people that have an impulse for a free kitten read your blog, they might do better. But something tells me that they spend their time in other ways. I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that I am thankful for your work as it is being figured out.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if they read it, but I'm not sure it would change them. I started the blog long ago, to keep records of cats fixed, but also, to show anyone inclined, how vast and difficult the problem of overpopulation really is, hoping to inspire others to fix their own pets and get involved.
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