10/21/2025
Thinking About “Selective Rescue”…
Lately I’ve been noticing a trend in rescue circles that’s got me thinking. Some cats seem to get all the attention- Siamese, fluffy ones, polydactyls, cats with flipped ears… the “cute” or “unique” ones. And I get it, they’re adorable and probably go home fast. But it makes me wonder: are we really rescuing, or are we just picking the easy-to-adopt cats?
I mean, the shelters are overflowing- millions of cats end up in rescues every year, and sadly, hundreds of thousands don’t make it. Are we leaving behind cats that are older, shy, or have medical issues just because they’re harder to place? And are the homes these “easy” cats go to really thinking about the cat, or just how they look?
I struggle with this. I get why rescuers might want to pick cats that get adopted quickly- it helps free up space- but is it really morally right to choose based on looks or popularity? True rescue should mean saving lives, not just the easy ones.
A perfect example: when a group of cats I was involved with was rescued, there was a line of people ready to adopt the white fluffy ones… but not a single offer for the black one. Once some more research was done, it turned out the people who wanted the cute fluffy cats weren’t even adequate pet owners- they wanted a “cute cat,” not the real responsibility of caring for a living being.
What do you all think? Is selective rescue okay if it helps some cats, or should we be thinking bigger picture about who really needs us?