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I had a sad thought today about the SPCA. A year or so ago in our town, a lady became front page news because of all of the animals she had and neglected until the SPCA went out to investigate. I didn't know her, and the way she no longer cared for them is inexcusable, (I would go out with a jar and a sign onto the highway to beg for funds for my colony if I ever had to) but I wondered if she asked anyone for help and didn't get it.
The response and support from this incredible community have given me new faith in mankind's humanity and helped me to realize that just turning to people who love animals would be the best way to get help when needed. But what if she had called the SPCA for help and they refused?
Does anyone know? What is the general policy of the SPCA or ASPCA on helping in situations like that? Is the automatic response to just go in and take the animals rather than trying to find help and support?
I am older, 73, and although I am strong and healthy and definitely not lazy, what would happen if I suddenly died? In my case, I have made arrangements with the person I am giving my house to (knowing they will, at least, be gentle and kind if all they can do is have the cats put down upon my death).
The lady from hell said to me to stop the feeding completely for days until the cats could be easily trapped, i.e. until they are starving, which is cruel, in itself, to a colony of cats that have been fed twice a day, without fail, for over 18 years. Is that the only help they give in those circumstances. Isn't their goal to "Prevent' Cruelty? And, I didn't tell the SPCA I could no longer care for my Colony, I just said I needed a little help.
Because of the "lady from hell's" attitude, I would be terrified to ever again call the SPCA for help. I mean, I just wouldn't do it. So, what do people do?
Just thinking about all of this. And with the information about the cat that was so cruelly treated at the facility in North Carolina that is being discussed on this site, it just makes me wonder, where does all of the donated money go in places like the SPCA. Is it all just a lovely front to get money? What goes on behind closed doors?
At our local animal control, (and I do not know if this is still the case), but when I was last there looking for a missing cat, all of the feral cats, or strays that seem feral, are put into one cage together about the size of a trailer. There is no place for the cats to hide from each other, just a few boards they can sit on. There is a cement floor, no litter boxes. There they all sit, females, males, kittens, neutered/spayed, or not, terrified, waiting until they have a noose put around their neck and are taken to another room to be put to death. It is sickening to see. And, if there are allowed to live for three days before being put to death, that is where they spend their last days, 24 hours-a -day.
I do want to emphasize, however, that when the SPCA wouldn't help (except for one case of canned food from their "free" food bin); that same animal control mentioned above, didn't hesitate to bring me two bags, 16 pounds each, of dry cat food within a day, and they deserve a great deal of credit for that.
I also know that our animal control gets the majority of its funds from County government. Our particular County government which is hugely dysfunctional, is not all that interested in funding anything but the bare minimum for the Animal Health Department.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.
The response and support from this incredible community have given me new faith in mankind's humanity and helped me to realize that just turning to people who love animals would be the best way to get help when needed. But what if she had called the SPCA for help and they refused?
Does anyone know? What is the general policy of the SPCA or ASPCA on helping in situations like that? Is the automatic response to just go in and take the animals rather than trying to find help and support?
I am older, 73, and although I am strong and healthy and definitely not lazy, what would happen if I suddenly died? In my case, I have made arrangements with the person I am giving my house to (knowing they will, at least, be gentle and kind if all they can do is have the cats put down upon my death).
The lady from hell said to me to stop the feeding completely for days until the cats could be easily trapped, i.e. until they are starving, which is cruel, in itself, to a colony of cats that have been fed twice a day, without fail, for over 18 years. Is that the only help they give in those circumstances. Isn't their goal to "Prevent' Cruelty? And, I didn't tell the SPCA I could no longer care for my Colony, I just said I needed a little help.
Because of the "lady from hell's" attitude, I would be terrified to ever again call the SPCA for help. I mean, I just wouldn't do it. So, what do people do?
Just thinking about all of this. And with the information about the cat that was so cruelly treated at the facility in North Carolina that is being discussed on this site, it just makes me wonder, where does all of the donated money go in places like the SPCA. Is it all just a lovely front to get money? What goes on behind closed doors?
At our local animal control, (and I do not know if this is still the case), but when I was last there looking for a missing cat, all of the feral cats, or strays that seem feral, are put into one cage together about the size of a trailer. There is no place for the cats to hide from each other, just a few boards they can sit on. There is a cement floor, no litter boxes. There they all sit, females, males, kittens, neutered/spayed, or not, terrified, waiting until they have a noose put around their neck and are taken to another room to be put to death. It is sickening to see. And, if there are allowed to live for three days before being put to death, that is where they spend their last days, 24 hours-a -day.
I do want to emphasize, however, that when the SPCA wouldn't help (except for one case of canned food from their "free" food bin); that same animal control mentioned above, didn't hesitate to bring me two bags, 16 pounds each, of dry cat food within a day, and they deserve a great deal of credit for that.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.