05/21/2020
THE FAMOUS FIDO GUARD PROGRAM:
Every day at Famous Fido we know we are going to receive multiple phone calls throughout the day from people who are seeking opportunities to give up on their companion animals.
While there is a lot of emotional turmoil involved in handling these cases, we want to share with you the other side of it, and show you some successful outcomes we have been able to achieve recently.
When these people call it is important to remember they have taken the time to search for a no kill shelter, and that there is some part of them that cares about the outcome for the animal.
At Famous Fido, we listen to their concerns and ask questions to capture what the whole picture of the situation the person and the animal is experiencing. From there, we offer counseling and solutions as appropriate.
In this socially distanced time it is important not to forget to have compassion for one another, and extend that to our world's animals.
This week we spoke to the neighbor of a lady who had passed away at 88 years old, leaving behind a cat in a vacant house. The cat was 13 years old, had not been spayed or received any vaccinations, but she had been in the same home her whole life. The family of the woman that had passed all live out of state and had no interest in giving the cat a home, and they neighbor mentioned she was allergic.
The future for this cat seemed pretty bleak. Most senior cats experience depression when they are displaced and moved into shelters and stop eating, which can cause fatty liver and other medical complications.
So where's a 13 year old cat with seemingly no hope to go?
After having constant correspondence with the neighbor, she decided to take the cat in. Allergies are something that can be worked with if a person is willing to step up and do the right thing for an animal. She visited the pharmacy to get some allergy medication, so the cat would be able to live with her, and spend the rest of her life in peace.
This incredible outcome has eased our anxious souls about this cat. It was a situation that at first seemed hopeless, but with counseling a solution became possible!
Another intervention case that we are working with now, is for a pregnant cat. The guardian for this cat has been responsive to our counseling efforts and is also committed to seeing his cat through for success.
The pregnant cat is currently being housed for at Famous Fido, and will have a peaceful and safe environment to birth her litter. The kittens when born will be vetted and adopted out in pairs to the right homes for them. The mother cat will be spayed, vetted and returned to her home with her guardian.
This guardian has been very consistent with checking in on the well being of his companion, but was not aware of the danger his cat would be put in by being allowed to roam outside, unfixed.
Through our educational resources and counseling services, we have been able to reach a solution for the benefit of the kittens, and for the mother cat.
This week we have also been working with the family of a chihuahua, that without our counseling, would be at a shelter right this moment.
This chihuahua was at risk of being given up because of barking, and snapping at her children. Animals that snap are rarely looked at when at a shelter, or if at a kill shelter, would likely become victim to euthanasia. It's not fair either for an animal that has a home, to lose it only to wait years, or the rest of its life in a shelter facility. And so, we worked, and had hours of conversation with this person to give the chihuahua a second chance.
By setting boundaries with the children, and working on training, this dog now has a hope better than the aforementioned possibilities.
The guardian sent us an email this morning saying, "he is worth me trying harder," and this was music to our ears.
Every animal is worth trying hard for, and there is always a solution for those who seek it.
The Guard program is all about giving understanding and providing resources to the community in need of help, and we are always looking to grow our counseling team.
If you think you might be someone who wants to make a difference and reduce the number of animals surrendered to shelters each year, reach out. You would be doing a wonderful thing for the animals that need homes, and for the community who need our help.
To apply to be a part of the counseling team, email [email protected].
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