Sad day at the shelter

i have been working at the shelter for several years and it is hard to take sometimes. But for some reason TODAY really got to me and I had to leave early. Going over surrender reasons for these cats and kittens made me feel sick. I am not sure why it just hit me so hard , I mean I know what can and does happen there and out in the world, but I guess my brain just wasn't accepting it. Anyway I feel really bad and sad. Anyone have a similar situation?

I've never volunteered at a shelter, I don't think I could do it.  When I was stationed at Ft. Lewis Washington I knew someone that volunteered at a dog shelter and she would tell me some of the reasons that people brought their dogs in. The one that really got me was a St. Bernard that was brought in because he got too big.  Everyone, including people who know nothing about the different dog breeds, knows that St. Bernards get huge.  I guess this person thought they were going to get the one odd St. Bernard that didn't get big.

Sorry you had a rough day there.  I don't think I could volunteer or even foster without getting too emotionally involved.  My Mom used to work for a company that helped people with disabilities get jobs and part of her job was arranging job shadowing experiences.  One client wanted to work with animals so Mom was able to arrange a few days of volunteer work at the local shelter.  One of those days Mom was in the cat room with her client when one of the workers came in and removed several kittens from one cage.  Mom made the mistake of asking where they were going.    

I think it was the next day that Pumpkin came home.  3 days later Bunny came home.  Bunny was 2-3 years when we adopted her.  (I was married and out of the house at that point; but you know, I had to be involved.  )  Bunny's paperwork said that she had had 2 previous owners.  One had to re-home because they were allergic, the other because they were moving overseas.  That is common enough around here.  But we later learned Bunny has inappropriate peeing issues.  It's been almost 10 years and she is still with my Mom.  She really is a love bug.  Unfortunately she taught Pumpkin her bad habit.

I don't volunteer at a shelter, but I know when I've been at Petsmart before visiting with the cats up for adoption I've reared up before reading the reasons they were given up for adoption.

I hate to see any cat/dog die just because a person can't take care of them. Please people, don't get a animal if you can't take care of it and have to give it up. It breaks my heart too to see the commericals on TV where people abuse the animals and don't have any money to feed them. :  They are just like your own children. Treat them with respect  like you would a person. 

dejolane

Unfortunately a lot of people think of pets as disposable. I couldn't take volunteering at our shelter but do go in often to donate things they need, and also to pay for the adoption of some unfortunate cat I see that is surrendered because 'owner died", or abandoned in house when owner moved'. It always brings me to tears to see them so scared and abandoned. When my Chrissy died I paid for the adoption of three cats in her name, I felt she would have liked that. They also have a program where you pay to 'adopt a kennel for a year' and they adopt out the animal in that kennel free to a good home. They really do screen them too, I was surprised at the number of people they turn down even though they are so crowded. It makes you feel so good to know you helped some poor cat in need. I want to volunteer maybe when I retire, but if I start bringing them home I know my husband would have a fit, we already have enough (HE says).  I thought they were like potato chips!

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that you have to deal with it day after day. I couldn't do it and I admire you for listening to them and not losing your temper.

Several years ago, we were having trouble with a couple of outside cats that kept coming up on our deck. I found out who the owner was and called her. And found out that she had put new living room furniture in her house and so the cats had to go outside. I was livid.

Winchester said:

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that you have to deal with it day after day. I couldn't do it and I admire you for listening to them and not losing your temper.

Several years ago, we were having trouble with a couple of outside cats that kept coming up on our deck. I found out who the owner was and called her. And found out that she had put new living room furniture in her house and so the cats had to go outside. I was livid.

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That is ridiculous.  I just got new living room furniture and my cats are still inside with me.  Cats can be trained not to claw furniture and a good vacuum can get the hair and dander off the furniture.  A good vacuum cleaner is essential, there is usually a thread going about the best vacuum to buy for cat hair.  There are adequate ones in just about every price range.

I completely understand how you feel. I do volunteer my time and also getting involved in a TNR org. in my new area. It is absolutely heartbreaking and angering to me when I see all of the cats/kittens suffering in shelters and the reasons they ended up there. It would be a perfect world if everyone would just spay/neuter. Hang in there, hun. Those cats/kittens appreciate you more than anything. Still, it is very hard to keep going back at times. They need us though.

I must say there are good days as well, honestly I can hardly contain my excitement when one of our cats ( usually a senior ) that have been there sometimes over a year, gets adopted by someone who wants the one that gets ignored. It drives me crazy when people return an cat for stupid reasons, but at least they bring them back. We try to get decent responsible adopters but sometimes they are good liars. One big problem is when cats are found outside wondering around , people will bring the cats to us and it becomes " stray status" and you can tell by what condition they are in that someone owned them but let them roam outside. Keeping these kitties indoors is very important so this doesn't happen and all the other things that can happen to them. We get " drop offs" that are in terrible shape as well and it just breaks my heart. Most days I remind myself that there is a potential adopter for every cat we have and sometimes we really see miracles( like folks that came looking for a kitten and instead adopt a special needs cat) if it weren't for that I could never work there.

I still have an application here to volunteer at our local shelter, but I just haven't filled it out yet. I'm so afraid of getting too emotional, and it doesn't take much to make me emotional. I know I'd want to bring every animal home with me and I'm afraid I'd be in tears all the time. But I imagine that the success stories make up for the sad ones. I admire you for being able to do what you do. One of these days I will fill out the volunteer app -- but I'm just not ready yet! I do visit the shelter and have donated items to them - cat beds, climbing posts, towels, etc.

I did volunteer and work at a shelter for years. Yes, it is hard and definitely not for everyone. It is sad why so many people give up their pets. The one I remember most this was in 2009 where a lady turned in her dog for being "ugly". And Charlie, the dog didn't want to be left. It was heartbreaking, but we asked that lady to leave because she was yelling at her dog for pooping on our carpet. We didn't care, she wasn't hers any more. Charlie was heartbroken and a sweetheart. Not ugly at all. Hang in there. I admire you for helping out the shelter animals; it's such a great thing to be doing and rewarding except for people giving up their pets for dumb reasons.

Kookie cats,
What keeps me from bringing every cat at the shelter (only three so far) home with me is I promise them I will return in the next few days to pet, excersise with toys and treats galore., and I know I will be right back. What kills me is the meowing and their little arms poking through the kennel bars. To get their attention off me when I have to leave I toss those little mice filled with catnip ( which I buy from petsmart, made by "toy shop")and I keep them in a bag of catnip so they are really strong smelling . They roll around and play in the tiny kennel and it keeps their attention for a while. I buy ALOT of them.I hope you will go ahead and fill out the application and see about volunteering. I am also emotional, but they need us so badly ,I get ALOT of joy from it. The cats are so starved for attention when you give them some they reward us with purrs, and sweetness. Totally worth the days that upset me so much. Let me know when you do it , ok?

Three cat night said:

Kookie cats,
What keeps me from bringing every cat at the shelter (only three so far) home with me is I promise them I will return in the next few days to pet, excersise with toys and treats galore., and I know I will be right back. What kills me is the meowing and their little arms poking through the kennel bars. To get their attention off me when I have to leave I toss those little mice filled with catnip ( which I buy from petsmart, made by "toy shop")and I keep them in a bag of catnip so they are really strong smelling . They roll around and play in the tiny kennel and it keeps their attention for a while. I buy ALOT of them.I hope you will go ahead and fill out the application and see about volunteering. I am also emotional, but they need us so badly ,I get ALOT of joy from it. The cats are so starved for attention when you give them some they reward us with purrs, and sweetness. Totally worth the days that upset me so much. Let me know when you do it , ok?

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I would love to take them all home with me but I live in a small apartment and the manager doesn't know I have Bella & Thunder. If I had a farm I would definitely have more cats. I think if you just go  to the shelter 3 times a week and spend some time with the kittens and dogs they would be just as happy.

I think a little bit of your time is better than none.