Here, you have to pick your cat on the web and make an appointment with Petsmart to go and see her. No more do they have cats for adoption in the store. They ship the cat to the store of your choice at the time of your appointment.
No more can you go to the shelter and let the cat pick you. I always did that. You have to apply and be approved before even visiting. I don't think I can pick a cat off the web. Same goes for buying a car. No more can you just go to the dealership and look at cars. You have to pick the car and make an appointment to see it.
I know we're in a pandemic, but years of this have made me weary. I swear it was easier to get my last mortgage; the banks were kissing my feet left and right for my business.
No more can you go to the shelter and let the cat pick you. I always did that. You have to apply and be approved before even visiting. I don't think I can pick a cat off the web. Same goes for buying a car. No more can you just go to the dealership and look at cars. You have to pick the car and make an appointment to see it.
I know we're in a pandemic, but years of this have made me weary. I swear it was easier to get my last mortgage; the banks were kissing my feet left and right for my business.
It´s crazy and cruel for both, cat and human alike.
Elderly and possibly lonely people are those who MOST need a good pet, for a ton of good reasons, and these idiots block just that?
Crazy.
Don´t know where you live, but maybe, if you visit a more "people´s" type neighbourhood somebody could offer you some extra kitty they have at home.
Or .... aren´t there classified ads or neighbourhood billboards offering them in adoption?
Or even facebook groups or something?
I guess the "official" shelter is not the best or only option, specially if run by such ******s, so avoiding them could be your best action.
Elderly and possibly lonely people are those who MOST need a good pet, for a ton of good reasons, and these idiots block just that?
Crazy.
Don´t know where you live, but maybe, if you visit a more "people´s" type neighbourhood somebody could offer you some extra kitty they have at home.
Or .... aren´t there classified ads or neighbourhood billboards offering them in adoption?
Or even facebook groups or something?
I guess the "official" shelter is not the best or only option, specially if run by such ******s, so avoiding them could be your best action.
It's more like the cat literally exists to comfort the human - dont they realize it's the other way around? Clearly a case of not seeing the forest from the trees. I think they should ask the cat which path it'd rather travel...guaranteed it'd rather go with you now, than gamble on someone "better suited" to happen by sometime in the future.
"I think they should ask the cat which path it'd rather travel..." We know the answer. Last time I was at a shelter (before the pandemic) the cats were all begging me to take them home. They literally stood in line waiting their turn to greet me. They know what's up.
Any cat I adopt will be lucky. There will be lots of attention and toys - and tuna. No question it's a mutually beneficial arrangement.
I understand these people are trying to do what's best for the cats. The questions they ask on the application, like "What will you do if someone in your home is allergic to cats" or "What if the cat scratches your furniture" are easy for me, but the answers are not good enough for them I guess. My house is still cat friendly, and I'm going to buy all new kitty condos and scratch posts. If someone moves in here and they're allergic to the cat, that person will move out.
I've lived with cats for 60 years. I think I have a lot to offer.
Any cat I adopt will be lucky. There will be lots of attention and toys - and tuna. No question it's a mutually beneficial arrangement.
I understand these people are trying to do what's best for the cats. The questions they ask on the application, like "What will you do if someone in your home is allergic to cats" or "What if the cat scratches your furniture" are easy for me, but the answers are not good enough for them I guess. My house is still cat friendly, and I'm going to buy all new kitty condos and scratch posts. If someone moves in here and they're allergic to the cat, that person will move out.
I've lived with cats for 60 years. I think I have a lot to offer.
Well I applied at another shelter, this one in Chicago. They called me back and the woman asked me a lot of questions, which I answered truthfully.
One of the questions was "Why do you want to adopt a cat?" Really, after spending the last 60 years of my life living with cats, most of them lived to be at least 20 years old, I have never surrendered an animal to a shelter, you ask why. "I want to share my home with an animal that needs a forever home." Hokey but true. "I want a cat for companionship and emotional support. I've lived my whole life with cats. And I get along great with cats and my house is ready for a cat today." It's true I'm all stocked up .And I even make the bed so it's comfortable for a cat, even though the house is empty. Every day. I sleep to one side to make room for her, even though she's gone. I make sure the screen door is always latched, even though there's no cat to dart outside. I just put her bowls away last week. I was hoping to see another cat eating out of them.
Her answer? "Maybe you should think about getting a service animal, you crusty old fartbutt." OK she didn't call me a crusty old fartbutt, but...
My buddy was over on Friday. He came over with his dog (a Corgi) and his young grandsons, aged 10 and 7. The ten year old was ecstatic to see Chloe again, but I had to tell him she was gone. Mocha is still looking for Chloe. What a sad day.
So the millennial eggheads think I'm ready for the glue factory. This seems so absurd, but what do I know any more. I guess I'm going to have to lie about my health status.
One of the questions was "Why do you want to adopt a cat?" Really, after spending the last 60 years of my life living with cats, most of them lived to be at least 20 years old, I have never surrendered an animal to a shelter, you ask why. "I want to share my home with an animal that needs a forever home." Hokey but true. "I want a cat for companionship and emotional support. I've lived my whole life with cats. And I get along great with cats and my house is ready for a cat today." It's true I'm all stocked up .And I even make the bed so it's comfortable for a cat, even though the house is empty. Every day. I sleep to one side to make room for her, even though she's gone. I make sure the screen door is always latched, even though there's no cat to dart outside. I just put her bowls away last week. I was hoping to see another cat eating out of them.
Her answer? "Maybe you should think about getting a service animal, you crusty old fartbutt." OK she didn't call me a crusty old fartbutt, but...
My buddy was over on Friday. He came over with his dog (a Corgi) and his young grandsons, aged 10 and 7. The ten year old was ecstatic to see Chloe again, but I had to tell him she was gone. Mocha is still looking for Chloe. What a sad day.
So the millennial eggheads think I'm ready for the glue factory. This seems so absurd, but what do I know any more. I guess I'm going to have to lie about my health status.
With absolute due respect and feeling your anguish, just trying to be practical.
1) I guess your sadness and anguish shows up, and makes them think you are unsuitable.
Or simply they are insufferable bigots, same end result.
Kludge: send somebody else to get it.
Family , a neighbour, close friends, you pick whoever you think suitable.
2) Just one suggestion, you certainly must know more, what about your "10 and 7" "virtual grandchildren" parents?
They clearly love you and your cats, they will be delighted to come visit "their" cat which is "temporarily" being taken care of by you, you are not "imposing" a pet in their household .....
If not them, somebody similar.
3) Plan B (I already suggested it before): go to a "less rich" part of your City or even a neighbouring one (or send somebody) and get a kitty there, from a household, forget shelters,
Later you take it to your trusted Veterinarian for all necessary vaccines, health check, etc., avoid bureaucracy.
No need to strictly follow "rules" which clearly are being misinterpreted and even turned upside down, just make a cat happy without all the unnecessary and counterproductive red tape.
1) I guess your sadness and anguish shows up, and makes them think you are unsuitable.
Or simply they are insufferable bigots, same end result.
Kludge: send somebody else to get it.
Family , a neighbour, close friends, you pick whoever you think suitable.
2) Just one suggestion, you certainly must know more, what about your "10 and 7" "virtual grandchildren" parents?
They clearly love you and your cats, they will be delighted to come visit "their" cat which is "temporarily" being taken care of by you, you are not "imposing" a pet in their household .....
If not them, somebody similar.
3) Plan B (I already suggested it before): go to a "less rich" part of your City or even a neighbouring one (or send somebody) and get a kitty there, from a household, forget shelters,
Later you take it to your trusted Veterinarian for all necessary vaccines, health check, etc., avoid bureaucracy.
No need to strictly follow "rules" which clearly are being misinterpreted and even turned upside down, just make a cat happy without all the unnecessary and counterproductive red tape.
I believe that in 100 years time, the world will look back at America today and shake their heads at how poorly the elderly were treated. I am only 20 years old, but my mother's side is Vietnamese, and we are taught to respect our elders. My grandmother and my grandfather are my biggest inspirations. They contribute more to the world in their 80's than most anyone else I know, regardless of age. My grandfather recently brought up a similar point about him adopting a new dog, and I told him that if he becomes unable to care for it, I would take the dog. Maybe you can arrange for someone in your life to take over for its care after you can no longer?
I'm very sorry for your loss. Have a good day!
I'm very sorry for your loss. Have a good day!
I think JMF's got a great idea there. Clearly these idiots are trying too hard to act as some sort of gatekeeper, given that they cant see the forest from the trees.
When I lived in an apartment building years ago, one cat I took on (for life) just showed up at the door all bright eyed. I believe these places are dumping grounds; the people doing that reason "someone here will take them". In that animals case, it was true. He became the terror of the neighborhood, beating the tar out of his competition, me oft nursing his infected woulds. I let him stay intact until he sprayed my 12 string... He ate his way out of the cardboard carrier on the way to the vet.
Maybe canvas such places, or put up a poster at a couple of them seeking strays for a guaranteed good home.
When I lived in an apartment building years ago, one cat I took on (for life) just showed up at the door all bright eyed. I believe these places are dumping grounds; the people doing that reason "someone here will take them". In that animals case, it was true. He became the terror of the neighborhood, beating the tar out of his competition, me oft nursing his infected woulds. I let him stay intact until he sprayed my 12 string... He ate his way out of the cardboard carrier on the way to the vet.
Maybe canvas such places, or put up a poster at a couple of them seeking strays for a guaranteed good home.
I'm thinking about all that stuff, plus some good old fashioned networking.
The shelters are overcrowded with cats and kittens and there's new surrenders every day. Plus you can't just pop in and visit any more; you have to apply for an appointment to visit, and indicate which cats you are interested in. They screen heavily before they grant an appointment to visit. It's madness!
I'm not really looking for a stray but I might take one. What I'm not looking for is more heartache. My first cat was a stray and she turned out great. She lived 18-19 years. Getting a "young" cat at a shelter (6 months to 2 years) that's already spayed/neutered, screened for health and behavior, and vaccinated, is the best bet for me I think. But hey, who knows.
My house does make a happy place for a cat, with people over all the time and spoiled rotten with naps and tuna.
Thanks to all. I sincerely appreciate everything.
The shelters are overcrowded with cats and kittens and there's new surrenders every day. Plus you can't just pop in and visit any more; you have to apply for an appointment to visit, and indicate which cats you are interested in. They screen heavily before they grant an appointment to visit. It's madness!
I'm not really looking for a stray but I might take one. What I'm not looking for is more heartache. My first cat was a stray and she turned out great. She lived 18-19 years. Getting a "young" cat at a shelter (6 months to 2 years) that's already spayed/neutered, screened for health and behavior, and vaccinated, is the best bet for me I think. But hey, who knows.
My house does make a happy place for a cat, with people over all the time and spoiled rotten with naps and tuna.
Thanks to all. I sincerely appreciate everything.
This has become truly comical and tragic. I applied at a shelter in the city a couple weeks ago. They interviewed me on the phone and I agreed to allow them to come to my house and interview me. BIG MISTAKE. They found multiple violations in my house and summarily rejected my application. Evidently my house is the Black Hole of Death for cats. And I've spent the last month getting my house ready for a new cat; cleaning up and putting stuff away, replacing the vinyl screens with "pet proof" aluminum screens (this was one of the violations because there's still a couple I have to bring to the hardware store), getting rid of tons of stuff including furniture, etc. And I knew it was going to be that way the second I answered the door because the woman was very young and she didn't like me one bit.
I found out I'm not alone. I was talking to my friend in San Jose (California) and the shelter did the same thing to him. They flat out rejected him because he had a cat door and he used to let his cat out into the fenced in backyard. He also applied to volunteer at the shelter (and was accepted) but several months later quit in disgust because they were so rude and condescending towards him.
I've failed two physicals since my beloved cat died. My blood pressure is sky high, my blood sugar was too low both times (ironic), my nutritional deficiencies are more acute, and now I have an irregular heartbeat. I don't have to wonder why. I haven't felt this demoralized in 20 years.
My friend in California had been talking about me moving in with him. I never wanted to do this but now I'm thinking about it. We both need a little help. And hey, at least he has a dog.
I found out I'm not alone. I was talking to my friend in San Jose (California) and the shelter did the same thing to him. They flat out rejected him because he had a cat door and he used to let his cat out into the fenced in backyard. He also applied to volunteer at the shelter (and was accepted) but several months later quit in disgust because they were so rude and condescending towards him.
I've failed two physicals since my beloved cat died. My blood pressure is sky high, my blood sugar was too low both times (ironic), my nutritional deficiencies are more acute, and now I have an irregular heartbeat. I don't have to wonder why. I haven't felt this demoralized in 20 years.
My friend in California had been talking about me moving in with him. I never wanted to do this but now I'm thinking about it. We both need a little help. And hey, at least he has a dog.
It's bizarre by American standards just ten years ago.
And sometimes when they "don't come back" it's because they found somewhere else to stay. An old neighbor had a cat that disappeared for months over the winter every year for years. It turns out that another family had "adopted" him too and they took him to Florida for six weeks over the Christmas holiday.
And sometimes when they "don't come back" it's because they found somewhere else to stay. An old neighbor had a cat that disappeared for months over the winter every year for years. It turns out that another family had "adopted" him too and they took him to Florida for six weeks over the Christmas holiday.
I understand your dilemma fast eddie, my aunt runs a non profit cat ‘shelter‘.
she goes out and traps perfectly happy cats from restaurant and grocery store dumpster areas then locks them up in cages in her damp dark basement for up to years on end, i was there one day as she went up a prospective adopters backside to the extent you’d think they were adopting a child! I even had to say something to her as the people left dejected and catless…….went something like “do you actually think that cat is better off in a 2’x3’ cage in your basement than living with those nice people?” that was 6 years ago and she hasn’t spoken to me since! I think its a power trip that insignificant people get wrapped up in.
I’d go black market cat fishin and forget about the bureaucracy 😎
she goes out and traps perfectly happy cats from restaurant and grocery store dumpster areas then locks them up in cages in her damp dark basement for up to years on end, i was there one day as she went up a prospective adopters backside to the extent you’d think they were adopting a child! I even had to say something to her as the people left dejected and catless…….went something like “do you actually think that cat is better off in a 2’x3’ cage in your basement than living with those nice people?” that was 6 years ago and she hasn’t spoken to me since! I think its a power trip that insignificant people get wrapped up in.
I’d go black market cat fishin and forget about the bureaucracy 😎
Damn straight.
Sounds like California is warmer than Chicago, in every sense of the word.
In the city some of the shelters sponsor trap/neuter/release for feral cats. People take care of them by feeding them and providing heated backyard shelters. They take them to the vet and everything. As a bonus the feral cats keep the rats at bay. They never stray far from their source of food and shelter. They may not want to sit on grampa's lap but they still live a dignified life. That sounds a lot happier than a cage in a dark basement.
I get it. Cats are delicate and sensitive. They have needs and they can be very deceptive, so you have to know what's up to take good care of them. I don't need a 20-something to explain that. I have 55 years of experience with cats.
I get it. Cats are delicate and sensitive. They have needs and they can be very deceptive, so you have to know what's up to take good care of them. I don't need a 20-something to explain that. I have 55 years of experience with cats.
Fast Eddie,
My two cents says to head out to Cali.
Sorry for your loss.
I think the Cali move is a win win win.
Human companionship.
The weather.
No constant reminder of your loss.
Helping others is one of the greatest feelings.
You are bound to be a pillar of the feline support community if only 10% of your passion and compassion is allowed to be expressed.
Jeremy
My two cents says to head out to Cali.
Sorry for your loss.
I think the Cali move is a win win win.
Human companionship.
The weather.
No constant reminder of your loss.
Helping others is one of the greatest feelings.
You are bound to be a pillar of the feline support community if only 10% of your passion and compassion is allowed to be expressed.
Jeremy
A "cat wanted" note on a laundromat notice board (if those still exist) might find you a kitty.