The worst feeling ever :(

Just got back from petsmart was buying toys for Jake. There were about 5 kitties there waiting to be adopted. One of them, a red tabby was sleeping with a toy mouse right next to him on top of his scratching post, he must have been playing and passed out with his toy still there, he was only 11 months Another red tabby was playing with the part of the cage where the door opens, and meowing frantically to get out. A calico was tapping on the glass at me, how ironic that there was a sign "no tapping on the glass" on my side...and the last one, Hank was a brown tabby who reminded me of Jake so much, and as soon as I walked by he moved right over so he can get a better look at the approaching person...I wanted all of them!!! why is life so cruel to put such little innocent babies in cages? Thankfully, it looked like they had "nice"cages at pets mart, multiple stories with a litter box at the bottom, a scratching post at the top and lots of toys....but still I left nearly in tears, because those babies had such hope in their eyes, they were clearly wishing they could get out of there, and I don't know if it's just me, but I think they saw hope in me ...and I couldn't fulfill their wishes, and it kills me

It's heartbreaking I know how hard it is to walk away.
The thing with Pet Smart though is they are adopting out cats from the SPCA's....think of all the crappy pet stores that are selling kittens at ridiculous prices. Pet Smart is atleast trying to do the right thing.

Yup, Petsmart is a great chain.

That is where I adopted these two furballs, via the citizens for animal protection adoption agency that operates from there.

They were really well cared for by their foster mom and Petsmart is smart in giving that high exposure environment for the kitties and more adopted kitties means more customers. Win win.

Oh, I know how that feels. I've seen so many kitties (and dogs) I've just wanted to take home. Especially looking at some of them at high kill shelters, knowing they more than likely wouldn't make it out alive, it's just awful.

Petsmart is wonderful, though, having the adoption days there. The last time I was there, there were two kittens, a gray tabby and a blue. They were so interested in everyone walking by and it hurt to walk past them.

I feel that way all the time. It makes me so sad... I know I can't handle more than three kitties though. I'm overwhelmed with the three I have but it still makes me feel bad that I don't have the space and money to rescue more.

It IS heart breaking....

Does it help you at all to think about how many rescued cats and kittens have been adopted out through Petsmart, even though you can't take them home? They've TOTALLY changed the face of pet store kitten selling, and have literally helped MILLIONS of kittens in need find homes!

You may not be able to take them all home... but there are people who can take one or two home - and DO!

At least the cats aren't actually under the care of any Petsmart employees and the corporation's idea of "care". I've seen far too many birds with untrimmed claws, overgrown beaks, and herps with completely inadequate provisions in Petsmarts and Petcos.

However if you want to do something good, support the rescue group in your area. If you can't adopt another cat a donation of money, food, litter, toys, etc would be appreciated.

I visit the cats at PetSmart too. It always makes me sad to leave them. They are trying so hard to be friends so they can leave.

I agree, it makes me feel bad for several days. I stopped in a PetSmart thats actually not as close as others but was out in the area. There were 2 stuffed in the same little glass cage (with the tiny holes to crawl through). I wondered if they were "friends" or found together, etc... They looked healthy and I guess as happy as they can be with the situation but I wanted the both so bad. I went back TWO months later and although they had other cats (different ones) in the other cages they still had those same two cats together I had seen earlier. I wondered how long they stay at a place like that. Being that its a facility for animals, idk, I guess they do the best they can but anyone know if they ever turn them over to a shelter or anything like that? Ive still not decided yet when, what, how old, etc... to get another but these sweet babies (they were older) seem so sad I have about resolved to the fact the next visit to the Dr. out that way I will be bringing BOTH home.

There's a PetsMart 2 doors down from where I work. I go there at least once a week to look at the babies. I've seen so many kitties get adopted from there it's unbelievable! While it's heartbreaking to leave them there, it's good to know they're getting adopted.

I always check out the cats for adoption at Pet Smart, even though I can't adopt them.

Originally Posted by LDG

It IS heart breaking....

Does it help you at all to think about how many rescued cats and kittens have been adopted out through Petsmart, even though you can't take them home? They've TOTALLY changed the face of pet store kitten selling, and have literally helped MILLIONS of kittens in need find homes!

You may not be able to take them all home... but there are people who can take one or two home - and DO!

Click to expand...

yup, definitely makes me feel better that people do adopt them. Don't get me wrong I love what petsmart is doing, and it really is the best way to get as many cats adopted as possible, because a lot more people are likely to see those faces in a store than at a shelter somewhere..
And I suppose it could be worse, because at least they have food, water and shelter there..
But their faces, they are just so irresistable..and they have so much wisdom in their eyes..

I know- it's hard.
I won't even look at the kitties at Petsmart.

Then I think about what we (as a family) did 2 months ago. Jasper was moved from IN to here. His owner couldn't take him b/c her apt didn't take cats. If we hadn't taken him- (and his owner's brother couldn't because his wife's allergic to cats) he would have wound up in a shelter- and probably been PTS b/c he's 10 years old and has "issues". Doing that would have been horrible for all parties involved- since his previous owner has "issues' to begin with.

Or given to my neighbor next door- who shouldn't have the dog he has b/c he's never home. Not that the dog's mistreated- I just feel really bad for this poor dog that's been through a lot- seen a lot, and is home by himself for hours. But I can't go in there by myself b/c for some reason this darn dog HATES me ( I think his ex-wife did something to the dog..........) And I've gone over there with treats and everything and he STILL growls and snaps at me. That wouldn't have been a really good situation for this kitty either.
Cheryl