Hi,
So this is something I feel very strongly about but I'm not sure my friends and family quite understand.
*a disclosure* I realize that there ARE circumstances where it is inevitable to give your cat up for adoption. But I think in a lot of cases this is not so.
Today I was searching Craig's List for random stuff and saw a post: Pure Breed Himalayan Cat $650. So I clicked on the post out of curiosity and saw a picture of a very beautiful white Himalayan cat. The person was selling him with papers and cat accessories because they "moved into a new apartment that didn't allow cats." So seriously, *if* the cat was a pure breed (and I don't know how much they typically go for, but I do know that pure breeds are up there in $$) then the person must have paid A LOT of money for the kitty. Why would you give it up (it was only 1 1/2 yrs old) after such a short time if you invested that kind of money into an animal? Unless the cat was not a pure breed and the person was being sleezy...
But even so, when I was adopting my kitten I looked on Craig's list as well and saw SO many postings of people giving their cat up because
1). they moved somewhere that didn't allow pets. - Well as a cat owner and also a renter I have found A BUNCH of places that allow cat ranging from $0 -$500 pet deposit. And seriously, especially with a cat that allegedly costs $650 wouldn't you try to sneak your cat into your place anyway?!
2) They have allergies.- Did they not know about their allergies before they got the cat? and if they did know, why would they adopt one? and if their allergies were THAT bad, how did they not know? And why didn't they try to treat their allergies?
3). They don't have time to be with it anymore. -Unless you're getting deployed, deported or get into a high-powered job, why would you adopt an animal in the first place?!
Even a friend of mine didn't get her outdoor cats spayed even though i bugged her a couple times and even found a cheap clinic for her. THen the cat got preggers, had a kitten, she didn't take the time to train the kitten to the litterbox and then adopted it out because it was peeing all over the place...
I guess my point is that so many people DON'T realize that a pet is a lifetime commitment and cats and dogs live a good amount of time. If you're not willing to make the life long commitment then why do you even bother? Because kittens are cute? and then they grow up to be adult cats which are less cute and now have behavioral problems because they didn't get enough attention or just have that type of personality? I have seen so many people on this site going so far to keep their cats despite severe health and behavioral problems. I just wish the larger cat-owning population had even half as much devotion to their animals as you guys do.
Ok I'm done. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
So this is something I feel very strongly about but I'm not sure my friends and family quite understand.
*a disclosure* I realize that there ARE circumstances where it is inevitable to give your cat up for adoption. But I think in a lot of cases this is not so.
Today I was searching Craig's List for random stuff and saw a post: Pure Breed Himalayan Cat $650. So I clicked on the post out of curiosity and saw a picture of a very beautiful white Himalayan cat. The person was selling him with papers and cat accessories because they "moved into a new apartment that didn't allow cats." So seriously, *if* the cat was a pure breed (and I don't know how much they typically go for, but I do know that pure breeds are up there in $$) then the person must have paid A LOT of money for the kitty. Why would you give it up (it was only 1 1/2 yrs old) after such a short time if you invested that kind of money into an animal? Unless the cat was not a pure breed and the person was being sleezy...
But even so, when I was adopting my kitten I looked on Craig's list as well and saw SO many postings of people giving their cat up because
1). they moved somewhere that didn't allow pets. - Well as a cat owner and also a renter I have found A BUNCH of places that allow cat ranging from $0 -$500 pet deposit. And seriously, especially with a cat that allegedly costs $650 wouldn't you try to sneak your cat into your place anyway?!
2) They have allergies.- Did they not know about their allergies before they got the cat? and if they did know, why would they adopt one? and if their allergies were THAT bad, how did they not know? And why didn't they try to treat their allergies?
3). They don't have time to be with it anymore. -Unless you're getting deployed, deported or get into a high-powered job, why would you adopt an animal in the first place?!
Even a friend of mine didn't get her outdoor cats spayed even though i bugged her a couple times and even found a cheap clinic for her. THen the cat got preggers, had a kitten, she didn't take the time to train the kitten to the litterbox and then adopted it out because it was peeing all over the place...
I guess my point is that so many people DON'T realize that a pet is a lifetime commitment and cats and dogs live a good amount of time. If you're not willing to make the life long commitment then why do you even bother? Because kittens are cute? and then they grow up to be adult cats which are less cute and now have behavioral problems because they didn't get enough attention or just have that type of personality? I have seen so many people on this site going so far to keep their cats despite severe health and behavioral problems. I just wish the larger cat-owning population had even half as much devotion to their animals as you guys do.
Ok I'm done. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.