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We chose life rather than fear


In the last few days we have learned a lot about ourselves and the community. We did something that made us nervous and was out of our comfort zone. We gave away adult cats for three days. We have talked about doing this promotion quite a bit as a joke, especially during our busy kitten/cat season but we always felt uneasy about it and decided not to. Then we walked down that path just a little with the “name your own price” promotion and were pleasantly surprised at how well that event went and how wonderful the adopters were. So when we found ourselves literally out of space and cringing every time the door opened in fear it was another stray cat or dog or an owner who wasn’t willing to wait or help us, that we found ourselves in a bit of a moral conundrum. What do we do? Do we break our 15-month accomplishment of not euthanizing for space reasons or do we give cats away and reduce our dog adoption fees to an all time low to make space? When you really look at this issue like that then the decision is simple.


So we took a leap and on Tuesday the 16th of November we started publicizing this special immediately to get it rolling. Thank you News and Advance and WSET for helping us so quickly. We decided to do it for three days during the week since that is when we needed the most help. And you know, the most wonderful thing happened. People came out to adopt but more importantly, people made donations to help us cover the adoption fees. We had some wonderful adopters who just wanted to help us and provide a loving home for our pets. One woman was in her 70's on a fixed income so the money she saved on the adoption fee she could now put towards medical visits, fun toys and items for the cat.

Now I would be naive if I didn't think there were critics out there. I can hear them now: the wrong types of people would adopt, if they can't afford the adoption fee they shouldn't adopt, we are de-valuing cats by giving them away. But you know what we found? We experienced a lot of great adopters that were willing to give these pets wonderful homes. We still screened the adopters to make sure it was a good environment and a good match. People like deals and specials and there is nothing wrong with that. And then there's my favorite one about de-valuing cats by giving them away. You know what? I think we GAVE them value because we didn't kill them to make space. We decided cats were important enough to give them every opportunity and to commit to them to such a degree that we went out of our way to conquer our fears to do the right thing and save them.

We hope to set an example of this great experience and life-saving efforts to other shelters in the area that feel that they have no other choice but to kill 80-90% of their cats. They do have a choice - and the choice is simple: Value these cats and save their lives by going out on a limb and finding good homes for these animals and yes, even if you have to give them away.

Comments

  1. MissyNovember 20, 2010 at 1:05 PM

    I have a friend who volunteers at your shelter announce just how many dogs and cats found wonderful homes through your promotion.

    Again, I say congrats and GREAT job!! You not only gave great deals, you SAVED LIVES.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 20, 2010 at 1:14 PM

    I think it was an awesome, community friendly event. I brought my mother in law (90) over, her 19 year old cat passed away a few months ago, and she had heard about the promotion. She saw so many adult cats that she liked, but couldn't decide if she wanted to do it. Last night, she mentioned she really wanted "Sweetie", I didn't have the heart to tell her I saw that he was adoptd. But for his sake, I'm glad! The atmosphere was so positive, and the mood happy; it was "a good thing"!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 20, 2010 at 2:18 PM

    This is a no brainer. If there is someone out there willing to give the animal a decent home, don't kill it for Heaven's sake! Put it into that decent home without an adoption fee. I have sent you several hundred dollars in donations this year and would be disappointed to hear that you killed these animals because you couldn't find people to pay you for them, but could have found people to give them to.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousNovember 20, 2010 at 3:57 PM

    Here Here! Wish this blog could be shared with every pompous/rightous animal org that would sooner kill dogs and cats than trust in their fellow man. The "they're better off dead" line is the battle cry of leaders who refuse to accept personal responsibility for saving lives and instead blame others for their failure. Thank goodness for folks like you with your courage and commitment to saving lives.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MeredithNovember 20, 2010 at 4:37 PM

    There were so many great people that came out. As I talked to the potential adopters I felt more and more comfortable about the homes they were going to. It made a huge difference! Now there is a more manageable number of cats.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousNovember 20, 2010 at 10:53 PM

    Kudos to you...you did a wonderful thing this week for the community. Many animals were adopted and now have families to love and care for them. Your work is appreciated. I lost my beloved 10 year old cat to cancer last year. We adopted a cat from the Humane Society a few weeks later. While our previous pet can never be replaced, this cat has found his own place in our hearts.
    For anyone who had been thinking of adding a new pet to the family, and were motivated this week to make room in their hearts and homes, then it's a wonderful thing!!Thank you!

    ReplyDelete

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