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Blogs by Michelle Close Mills
Castles in the Sky: October 22, 2012 10/21/2012 6:39:05 PM
Rosalie My daughter Julie’s 12 year old cat Rosalie was a calico sprinkled with onyx and gold; the epitome of a lap kitty.
Rosie’s former owner began traveling for business and was going to drop the cat off at a shelter. So my animal loving daughter and her husband Stephen brought her home.
They knew that an old cat stood little to no chance of finding an adoptive family and would likely be put to sleep.
They adored her and the kitty loved them back. Rosie was all about love.
Then a few weeks ago Julie opened the door and Rosie ran out, chasing another cat.
She didn’t return. Every effort was made to find her.
No luck.
After nearly 14 days on the lam, Rosie finally came back. She was very sick; a skeletal bag of flesh and fur.
With no money for a vet, Julie took her to the SPCA to find out what might be done.
It wasn’t good news. Rosie had bone cancer and she was suffering.
Julie was forced to make a selfless decision. Anyone who has ever loved an animal knows that euthanasia is one of the hardest things we humans will ever be called to do.
The vet tech arranged Rosie on a heart shaped pillow and covered her with a little blanket while Julie sobbed and said goodbye.
Rosie breathed her last in my daughter's arms.
As Julie turned to leave she suddenly became aware of her surroundings; cages filled with meowing kitties and barking dogs. There were at least thirty or more.
“They're going to be euthanized. We’ve simply run out of room for them” the tech said.
Looking into the eyes of so many frightened animals and the small paws that anxiously reached through the cage bars made her physically ill. And there was nothing she could do to help them.
In a world full of tragedies, putting down thirty animals that day was utterly preventable.
The solution to the exploding pet population is simple and effective.
Spay or neuter every pet.
There is no excuse for not doing so. Many vets and most shelters have drastically discounted prices for the procedure; often as little as $50 will get the job done.
If you love animals, it’s imperative to stop them from populating the world with more unwanted litters; many of whom may meet a sad and lonely fate like those at the SPCA. Spay or neuter early in life. Kittens as young as five months of age have the ability to become pregnant.
And if you are thinking of finding a new pet, please visit kill shelters first. Their resources are stretched and their staff is continually faced with the unenviable task of choosing who lives and who dies.
Most shelter animals aren’t purebred and it’s doubtful that you’ll find any who have pedigree paperwork. But once you meet the critters, it won’t matter where they came from.
It’s where they’re going that counts; straight into your heart.
If we all do our part, scores of little ones who are literally dying for lack of a home will become a thing of the past.
