Just having a bad day I guess.... Need a random rant...
First off, I'm very happy b/c I've got the perfect home for Vinnie, my black foster boy. He's going to a co-worker and friend I've known for over 6 years. He will have a great life, she lost her last cat of 20 years and her dog to cancer, both just last year. It broke her heart, she loves her animals and provides wonderfully for them. I have nothing but great respect for her, and we get along wonderfully and are always discussing animals and rescue work.
Yada, yada.... anyway, so I am taking Vinnie to work tomorrow at 5, when she gets off, (it's my day off) to make it easier on her b/c she lives a good distance away, and in totally the opposite direction of my house. Anyway, I was explaining to her that I would provide all his medical history, paperwork, food, care package, etc.. for her tomorrow when I bring him, and I tell her his adoption fee, and she gave me the rudest look and said "You never said anything about that". I just didn't even know what to say to her. I was totally floored. It would have been different if she was just some random person, and I would explain to them everything the cats have done, etc... but I never expected it from her. For crying out loud, my workplace has even pooled donations for me before for cats. So she knows what all I do, we discuss it all the time. Another co-worker that has a family member that recently adopted a cat from me overheard this and was shocked as well...
It just really offended me b/c it was her. I never would have pegged her for a person that would expect something for nothing, or anything like that. So I called her tonight, and explained to her that everyone that has ever adopted a cat from me, including my own mother has donated. And I went into depth of what Vinnie has received. She had kept making the comment that he was already neutered when I received him, but I explained to her that he has been leuk tested, vaccinated for rabies, leukemia, and distemper. Fecal tested and dewormed, and flea treated. In addition to being fed for the last month and a half. So trust me sister, I'm not pulling one over on you here! As anyone that rescues knows, the adoption fees do not start to cover your expenses, but that isn't the point anyway. Yes, you work to recover a little, it goes towards your next one. And to be quite frank, Vinnie's adoption fee covers about his office call and exam and one vaccination. Granted he is probably one of the "cheapest" rescues I've had, especially since he was already neutered, but by "cheap" I still mean $200 dollars of care.
I guess I just have never felt like I was taking something from someone before. I've NEVER had anyone question the adoption fee before. I did tell her on the phone tonight, that if she doesn't feel comfortable, she isn't obligated to take him. She immediately said, "Oh no, it isn't that, I know you put alot out of them, etc..... it isn't a problem".... I guess it is one of those things that you can't take back a first impression kind of thing... you know? No matter what she says, I can't get that comment or her look out of my mind.
Like I said, if it had been Joe Schmo, it would have been different, but I had a lot of respect and a good relationship with this woman, I think that is why it has bothered me so much.
All and all, I am not "settling" on this home for Vinnie, he will be loved and wonderfully cared for. Just amazed at her attitude.
First off, I'm very happy b/c I've got the perfect home for Vinnie, my black foster boy. He's going to a co-worker and friend I've known for over 6 years. He will have a great life, she lost her last cat of 20 years and her dog to cancer, both just last year. It broke her heart, she loves her animals and provides wonderfully for them. I have nothing but great respect for her, and we get along wonderfully and are always discussing animals and rescue work.
Yada, yada.... anyway, so I am taking Vinnie to work tomorrow at 5, when she gets off, (it's my day off) to make it easier on her b/c she lives a good distance away, and in totally the opposite direction of my house. Anyway, I was explaining to her that I would provide all his medical history, paperwork, food, care package, etc.. for her tomorrow when I bring him, and I tell her his adoption fee, and she gave me the rudest look and said "You never said anything about that". I just didn't even know what to say to her. I was totally floored. It would have been different if she was just some random person, and I would explain to them everything the cats have done, etc... but I never expected it from her. For crying out loud, my workplace has even pooled donations for me before for cats. So she knows what all I do, we discuss it all the time. Another co-worker that has a family member that recently adopted a cat from me overheard this and was shocked as well...
It just really offended me b/c it was her. I never would have pegged her for a person that would expect something for nothing, or anything like that. So I called her tonight, and explained to her that everyone that has ever adopted a cat from me, including my own mother has donated. And I went into depth of what Vinnie has received. She had kept making the comment that he was already neutered when I received him, but I explained to her that he has been leuk tested, vaccinated for rabies, leukemia, and distemper. Fecal tested and dewormed, and flea treated. In addition to being fed for the last month and a half. So trust me sister, I'm not pulling one over on you here! As anyone that rescues knows, the adoption fees do not start to cover your expenses, but that isn't the point anyway. Yes, you work to recover a little, it goes towards your next one. And to be quite frank, Vinnie's adoption fee covers about his office call and exam and one vaccination. Granted he is probably one of the "cheapest" rescues I've had, especially since he was already neutered, but by "cheap" I still mean $200 dollars of care.
I guess I just have never felt like I was taking something from someone before. I've NEVER had anyone question the adoption fee before. I did tell her on the phone tonight, that if she doesn't feel comfortable, she isn't obligated to take him. She immediately said, "Oh no, it isn't that, I know you put alot out of them, etc..... it isn't a problem".... I guess it is one of those things that you can't take back a first impression kind of thing... you know? No matter what she says, I can't get that comment or her look out of my mind.
Like I said, if it had been Joe Schmo, it would have been different, but I had a lot of respect and a good relationship with this woman, I think that is why it has bothered me so much.
All and all, I am not "settling" on this home for Vinnie, he will be loved and wonderfully cared for. Just amazed at her attitude.
