I'm not sure whether I need advice or to just vent, but I need to get this out somewhere and I know I'm among others who will understand.
I am so frustrated. No, I am beyond angry
! There should be some kind of test one should need to take (and pass!) before they are able to own or care for animals. I feel the same way about parenting children, but that's for another forum altogether. I don't even know if this will all make sense because I am that mad right now.
An friend of mine just called me. He called to ask me a couple of questions about cats. Since he was never a cat person, I was surprised by his sudden interest in all things feline. So, when I asked him what was up, he told me...
It seems his fiance had called him up in a panic over something she had witnessed at her sister and brother-in-law's house. Apparently, she had just returned from visiting them (it was her sister's birthday) and she was appalled at what she had seen there. They had somewhere between 10 and 15 cats living outside of their house (these were the ones she was able to see -- no word on how many were really around). They were all beat up, scrawny, and suffering from upper respiratory infections (or something that presented the same way). When my friend's fiance asked about the cats, she was told that they were not their responsibility despite the fact that they were allowed in the house from time to time along with their resident cats. They would be allowed to come in during the day to play with their indoor cats and would be able to eat and stay warm or dry during that time. But, at night, ALL of the cats were kicked back out (including their so-called indoor cats).
So, here are these poor kitties stuck outdoors with no shelter and no access to steady food or water except when they were allowed indoors during the day (about 1-2 times a week per the sister). And, to make matters worse, they were sick and had been sick for quite some time! But, no, there's more -- let us not forget about the "resident" cats who were kicked out and forced to live among the strays each and every night (still no shelter or access to food or water). But, that's not necessarily even the worse part...
Apparently none (yes, I did say NONE) of the cats are spayed or neutered. Not even their "pets." And, supposedly, this leads to a string of pregnancies and births all throughout the year. My friend's fiance said she saw two of the "indoor" cats with litters of at least 4 kittens each in the house. And, that's not mentioning the kittens and adolescent kitties running through the house and around the property.
The sister and brother-in-law claim that they have no money to feed the cats, get them their vaccinations, or get them spayed or neutered. However, they have no problem affording a large, flat screen television, numerous high-ticket electronics, and designer clothes
! Instead, the cats are fed table scraps and bargain cat food. None have ever been to the vet and the majority appear to have parasites (ear mites, fleas) and slight upper respiratory infections. It seems the only thing these people are doing right is that they keep the house clean and there is no catty smell (litter boxes are cleaned regularly). Everything else, though, well, sucks...
After I heard all of this in detail, I got the name and number of the humane society in the county in which they live. I've already left a message for them and am awaiting a return call. I've got no qualms about reporting these people and it's obvious to me that this is what my friend and his fiance wanted me to do (they did confirm this). In fact, they said they would have called themselves, but felt it would be better if it came from an outsider. However, they have said they will speak to someone if who I talk with thinks it's necessary. I understand their position and am just grateful they were willing to do something. Unfortunately, aside from purchasing some better cat food for the indoor cats and setting up a dog house with straw, food, and water outdoors for the strays, there wasn't much that my friend's fiance could do. At least it's better than it was. But, I'm hopeful that after speaking with the humane society (who does humane investigations) that something more will be done and that the cats (both indoor and outdoor) will be removed and given a chance at a happier, healthier life.
Why do people have animals if they're not going to take care of them? How can someone rationalize neglect and the total lack of regard for their pet's (or any animal's) well-being? What is with people and irresponsibility? It's so sickening to me.
I'm just completely shaken up by everything that's happened today. It's truly horrifying and it breaks my heart
.
I am so frustrated. No, I am beyond angry
An friend of mine just called me. He called to ask me a couple of questions about cats. Since he was never a cat person, I was surprised by his sudden interest in all things feline. So, when I asked him what was up, he told me...
It seems his fiance had called him up in a panic over something she had witnessed at her sister and brother-in-law's house. Apparently, she had just returned from visiting them (it was her sister's birthday) and she was appalled at what she had seen there. They had somewhere between 10 and 15 cats living outside of their house (these were the ones she was able to see -- no word on how many were really around). They were all beat up, scrawny, and suffering from upper respiratory infections (or something that presented the same way). When my friend's fiance asked about the cats, she was told that they were not their responsibility despite the fact that they were allowed in the house from time to time along with their resident cats. They would be allowed to come in during the day to play with their indoor cats and would be able to eat and stay warm or dry during that time. But, at night, ALL of the cats were kicked back out (including their so-called indoor cats).
So, here are these poor kitties stuck outdoors with no shelter and no access to steady food or water except when they were allowed indoors during the day (about 1-2 times a week per the sister). And, to make matters worse, they were sick and had been sick for quite some time! But, no, there's more -- let us not forget about the "resident" cats who were kicked out and forced to live among the strays each and every night (still no shelter or access to food or water). But, that's not necessarily even the worse part...
Apparently none (yes, I did say NONE) of the cats are spayed or neutered. Not even their "pets." And, supposedly, this leads to a string of pregnancies and births all throughout the year. My friend's fiance said she saw two of the "indoor" cats with litters of at least 4 kittens each in the house. And, that's not mentioning the kittens and adolescent kitties running through the house and around the property.
The sister and brother-in-law claim that they have no money to feed the cats, get them their vaccinations, or get them spayed or neutered. However, they have no problem affording a large, flat screen television, numerous high-ticket electronics, and designer clothes
After I heard all of this in detail, I got the name and number of the humane society in the county in which they live. I've already left a message for them and am awaiting a return call. I've got no qualms about reporting these people and it's obvious to me that this is what my friend and his fiance wanted me to do (they did confirm this). In fact, they said they would have called themselves, but felt it would be better if it came from an outsider. However, they have said they will speak to someone if who I talk with thinks it's necessary. I understand their position and am just grateful they were willing to do something. Unfortunately, aside from purchasing some better cat food for the indoor cats and setting up a dog house with straw, food, and water outdoors for the strays, there wasn't much that my friend's fiance could do. At least it's better than it was. But, I'm hopeful that after speaking with the humane society (who does humane investigations) that something more will be done and that the cats (both indoor and outdoor) will be removed and given a chance at a happier, healthier life.
Why do people have animals if they're not going to take care of them? How can someone rationalize neglect and the total lack of regard for their pet's (or any animal's) well-being? What is with people and irresponsibility? It's so sickening to me.
I'm just completely shaken up by everything that's happened today. It's truly horrifying and it breaks my heart