Once upon a time, not too long ago, I was in dire financial straits. Long story short, I wasn't really even in a position to care for my dog or cats. But I made it work, partly through temporary fosters (during times of homelessness), and pulled through. I had a stroke of luck and came into some money, and am now settled as nicely as any young person could ask for.
Through this terrible process, I met a woman who fostered my five cats, and we have been friends since. She is very active with the rehabilitation of ferals, despite being low-income. She just gives and gives, and is a true role model! She also often posts on FB ads for kitties that are in need of help, usually about to be euthanized in NYC or NC (we live in MA).
I never would've dreamed of taking any of them (okay, okay, I dreamed) back when I was so unstable myself. But now that I'm settled, I see these postings, and it makes me want to die inside, because I just want to help all of them! One in particular has caught my attention, because it's not through a kill shelter, but rather a private owner. He/she is giving away their cat, or euthanizing in two weeks if a home cannot be found for him. He is five years old and diabetic. They're moving and "can't take him." No need for me to elaborate on what I think of this nonsense.
Anyway, I am not a rescue. I'm just a young woman who hates to see suffering. But I also recognize that I need to know my own limits. I'm also Bipolar, so impulse control is exceptionally difficult for me. (It's how I ended up with my first cat in university, even though I wasn't allowed to have one... hahaha whoops. I got away with it, but that's another story entirely.)
For those of you who are, like me, constantly made aware of cats in need... how do you bear it? How do you say no? How do you know your own limits and where to you draw the line?
Through this terrible process, I met a woman who fostered my five cats, and we have been friends since. She is very active with the rehabilitation of ferals, despite being low-income. She just gives and gives, and is a true role model! She also often posts on FB ads for kitties that are in need of help, usually about to be euthanized in NYC or NC (we live in MA).
I never would've dreamed of taking any of them (okay, okay, I dreamed) back when I was so unstable myself. But now that I'm settled, I see these postings, and it makes me want to die inside, because I just want to help all of them! One in particular has caught my attention, because it's not through a kill shelter, but rather a private owner. He/she is giving away their cat, or euthanizing in two weeks if a home cannot be found for him. He is five years old and diabetic. They're moving and "can't take him." No need for me to elaborate on what I think of this nonsense.
Anyway, I am not a rescue. I'm just a young woman who hates to see suffering. But I also recognize that I need to know my own limits. I'm also Bipolar, so impulse control is exceptionally difficult for me. (It's how I ended up with my first cat in university, even though I wasn't allowed to have one... hahaha whoops. I got away with it, but that's another story entirely.)
For those of you who are, like me, constantly made aware of cats in need... how do you bear it? How do you say no? How do you know your own limits and where to you draw the line?