05/30/2024
Great read. As a community, if you see a problem.. try to be a part of the solution. Rescues (as well as clinics) are trying their absolute best to help with population control, but too many times get blamed for not doing enough.
I would like to apologize to you for every animal rescuer you feel has ever let you down, been less than cheerful or said no to helping you. I would also like to explain to you why you need to extend grace to all of them. ❤️
They are all volunteers. This means on top of their normal lives (YES! Rescuers have jobs, spouses, children, friends, parents, pets of their own, foster animals, cars that break down, doctors appointments, grass to mow, laundry to fold, etc.) they CHOOSE to help people because they deeply care about the welfare of animals.
All day long they hear or read:
❗️Oh my gosh, please go help that poor cat right now!
❗️I really need your help! I've got 8 cats here and 2 are pregnant.
❗️I couldn't afford to get my cat fixed, but she is indoor only so I thought it was fine. But she got out and now she's pregnant. I need you to help me get her fixed and I'll give the kittens away.
❗️I need you to come out and get rid of all these cats!
❗️I just found five 2-day old kittens and the mama has rejected them. You HAVE to come and get them!
❗️I'm moving in a week so I need you find my cat a good home pretty quick.
While most of those sound like reasonable requests, the problem is "I need", "I want", "you have to". Guess what? We don't. We want to, but we don't have to.
It would be so refreshing to hear:
✅ I would like some advice as to the best and safest way to rehome my cat.
✅ I just found young kittens, what is the best thing for me to do for them?
✅ These cats have to stop breeding. What do I need to do to make that happen?
✅ I know I should have fixed my cat even though she stays indoors, but she accidentally got out and now she's pregnant. What is the best course of action to make sure this doesn't happen again? And how do I go about the process of rehoming the kittens and making sure they are properly vetted?
✅ I found a stray cat that needs medical help. May I come pick up a trap and if I catch him, what do I do next?
You see, rescuers are no different than you. They are just regular folks with a little more knowledge (that they are always happy to share with you!) as well as supplies you may need (that they are happy to loan out!). But there's only a handful of people doing this and they can't be everywhere at once. You have to realize they are dealing with multiple situations and locations DAILY. That's where you have to step in and offer to help them! Afterall, you wouldn't be reaching out to them if you didn't care about the animal as well. You can be just as valuable to that animal in need as they can with the right guidance and supplies. Be that "somebody" the kitty needs.