people, people, people
/rant/
As many of you know, we live in the country and are frequently the recipients of abandoned pets.
The local humane society does take strays but they charge $85+ whether it was dropped at your home or not and they are a kill shelter. We do have a no-kill shelter that charges $35 per animal for surrendered or $0 as long as you can prove they aren't yours - that is almost impossible because any kindness shown to animals is returned 100 fold. We've called our local sheriff's office to be told they will not pick them up and their recommendation is to shoot the nuisance animal. Our solution has been to find a home for whatever we can and we have had to put down some dogs who were running the livestock. It may seem heartless but I would like to point my finger back at the idiot that dumped their city slicker house pet out in the country to make or break. House pets are not raised/bred to take care of themselves and have none of the kung fu needed to make it on their own.
Truly. If you can't afford/don't have the energy/ have no paitence for raising a pet for at least ten years, then don't get one. It really is that simple. Or if you have to surrender them, take them to a shelter. Do not drop them in nature where they have no idea how to hunt and end up either starving to death, the meal of other wild animals, or shot because they are chasing someone's livestock for an easy meal.
/end rant/
Case in point, last weekend. We are playing outside with the grandson when JR says he hears something. He goes tripping across the bean field yelling 'Here kitty, kitty.' and comes back with this little ball of fluff. This kitteh is well socialized and obviously someone's discarded pet. And he can't be more than 2 months because his family jewels are just starting to descend. Unfortunately for him, he will be losing them at the closest chance I get.
We took him to the house and bathed him first thing, he was infested with fleas and I didn't want them to travel to my house. He immediately claimed me as mom. After getting dry, he made himself known to be hongry and needing to potty. Showed him where the litter box was and the food and water. After using the potty and getting a full belly, he casually curled up on my shoulder. He was not at all afraid of our adult fur kids and unconcerned about the hoomans, although by the end of the week he was dodging the grandkid. But that's just smart thinking.
Deeks is tolerant of him and deigns to play with him from time to time, but then he tolerates the dog too so that isn't saying much. Copper seems to think he is a better toy than Deeks because he plays chase back although he is such a little thing he doesn't get far before Copper comes chasing back. My dog is retarded and should have been named Opie.
So now I have a new kitteh. He's a cute little bugger and in need of a name since he seems to have no plans to go any further than five feet from wherever I am.
I had planned on uploading his pic but lj is being wonky lately.
As many of you know, we live in the country and are frequently the recipients of abandoned pets.
The local humane society does take strays but they charge $85+ whether it was dropped at your home or not and they are a kill shelter. We do have a no-kill shelter that charges $35 per animal for surrendered or $0 as long as you can prove they aren't yours - that is almost impossible because any kindness shown to animals is returned 100 fold. We've called our local sheriff's office to be told they will not pick them up and their recommendation is to shoot the nuisance animal. Our solution has been to find a home for whatever we can and we have had to put down some dogs who were running the livestock. It may seem heartless but I would like to point my finger back at the idiot that dumped their city slicker house pet out in the country to make or break. House pets are not raised/bred to take care of themselves and have none of the kung fu needed to make it on their own.
Truly. If you can't afford/don't have the energy/ have no paitence for raising a pet for at least ten years, then don't get one. It really is that simple. Or if you have to surrender them, take them to a shelter. Do not drop them in nature where they have no idea how to hunt and end up either starving to death, the meal of other wild animals, or shot because they are chasing someone's livestock for an easy meal.
/end rant/
Case in point, last weekend. We are playing outside with the grandson when JR says he hears something. He goes tripping across the bean field yelling 'Here kitty, kitty.' and comes back with this little ball of fluff. This kitteh is well socialized and obviously someone's discarded pet. And he can't be more than 2 months because his family jewels are just starting to descend. Unfortunately for him, he will be losing them at the closest chance I get.
We took him to the house and bathed him first thing, he was infested with fleas and I didn't want them to travel to my house. He immediately claimed me as mom. After getting dry, he made himself known to be hongry and needing to potty. Showed him where the litter box was and the food and water. After using the potty and getting a full belly, he casually curled up on my shoulder. He was not at all afraid of our adult fur kids and unconcerned about the hoomans, although by the end of the week he was dodging the grandkid. But that's just smart thinking.
Deeks is tolerant of him and deigns to play with him from time to time, but then he tolerates the dog too so that isn't saying much. Copper seems to think he is a better toy than Deeks because he plays chase back although he is such a little thing he doesn't get far before Copper comes chasing back. My dog is retarded and should have been named Opie.
So now I have a new kitteh. He's a cute little bugger and in need of a name since he seems to have no plans to go any further than five feet from wherever I am.
I had planned on uploading his pic but lj is being wonky lately.