I'm looking for some feedback regarding an unspoken (at least for now) difference of opinion I have with the coordinator of the small TNR group I volunteers with. Our primary focus is TNR, which I completely support, but we inevitably end up doing some rescue as well. Since we don't have a shelter, the rescued cats end up being housed in a foster home, usually our coordinator's, until they're adopted. In most cases, these are tame, abandoned pets who've really struggled to fend for themselves in the neighborhoods. However, our coordinator has become increasingly determined to return them to where they came from as long as they'll be fed, regardless of the situation. She keeps emphasizing that our mission is TNR, not rescue, and that she doesn't want to turn into a shelter where we warehouse cats. I totally understand where she's coming from, but really find myself struggling with returning some of the cats.
The latest one in question is a very friendly two-year-old, male, who was abandoned by his owner. He was rescued after our coordinator found him attacked by a dog with serious injuries to his tail.
He'd been front declawed, but not neutered. An elderly woman in the neighborhood had been feeding him. The cat has since been fixed and his injuries have healed. It's been a month or so and we've had no luck finding him a home. We've tried Petfinder, flyers, newspaper ads, etc...Today, I'm taking him to an adoption fair. But, our coordinator says if he's not adopted in the next couple of weeks, he's going back to the site. That's just wrong.
A declawed cat has no business being outside. Look what happened to him before. Sure, he was being fed, but what if something happens to this elderly woman. Then what happens to the cat?
It would be irresponsible, and cruel, to put this guy back. Granted, cat rescue
may not be our primary mission, but once we rescue them I believe we're responsible for doing what's best for them and that's not putting them back into situation where they're at risk. Guess that's easy for me to say since our
coordinator's the one responsible for their care. But, I'm tired of these ultimatums! Guess it's time to speak up.
Any ideas or feedback? Thanks for listening.
The latest one in question is a very friendly two-year-old, male, who was abandoned by his owner. He was rescued after our coordinator found him attacked by a dog with serious injuries to his tail.
He'd been front declawed, but not neutered. An elderly woman in the neighborhood had been feeding him. The cat has since been fixed and his injuries have healed. It's been a month or so and we've had no luck finding him a home. We've tried Petfinder, flyers, newspaper ads, etc...Today, I'm taking him to an adoption fair. But, our coordinator says if he's not adopted in the next couple of weeks, he's going back to the site. That's just wrong.
A declawed cat has no business being outside. Look what happened to him before. Sure, he was being fed, but what if something happens to this elderly woman. Then what happens to the cat?
It would be irresponsible, and cruel, to put this guy back. Granted, cat rescue
may not be our primary mission, but once we rescue them I believe we're responsible for doing what's best for them and that's not putting them back into situation where they're at risk. Guess that's easy for me to say since our
coordinator's the one responsible for their care. But, I'm tired of these ultimatums! Guess it's time to speak up.
Any ideas or feedback? Thanks for listening.