Being a shelter volunteer has its benefits. I get my ‘third kittyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] fix without adopting (I can only have two pets, which I already have, in my apartment). I get to share my love of cats with those lonely felines, as well as any soul who comes in to look at the cats (whether theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re adopting or not!!!). Then I have those cases where all seems difficult, if not nearly impossible. I had one of those recently.
A beautiful girl came into our shelter recently. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a two year old tortie/tabbie (torbie, right?) mix, with plenty of orange. I had a lady with two small kids come in last week to look at her. They werenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t the first ones to fall in love with her markings. We soon discovered her issues: She hates other cats. She also couldnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t relax with the kids around. She tolerated them, but that was the best she could do. Now, when I say she hated other cats, this was discovered as I was putting her back in her cage after seeing that family. She saw the other girl in the cage below hers and flipped out. She jumped back into her cage and promptly turned and swiped at my hand, drawing blood. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s also done this with at least two other volunteers. We marked on her cage card that she should be an ‘only catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] in an adults only home. Thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a difficult one to place. Most people who come in to look at the cats are either adding to their brood or have children…
I had hope anyway. I went back in for my normal day, this last Thursday, only to find my temperamental Torbie was still there. They even made her pet of the week in the newspaper. No luck. No one rushing in to adopt this girl.
On a side note: We are a kill shelter, but only based on behavior before they go into the Cattery (adoption room). I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t think I could abide volunteering for a kill shelter that kills based on time.
Thursday, sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s still there. We get people coming in, ignoring her. Then, about a half hour before I left, a lady came in, single, lives alone, no kids. She recently lost both of her cats, sisters. One last fall at 16, the other last month at the age of 17. She first fell in love with one of the kittens, a feisty little girl. But this one already has two adopters on her. Not much chance of her getting this kitten. She was about to leave, heartbroken, but I went back out and reminded her of this Torbie (she was very focused, tunnel vision for one cat). She came back into the Cattery with me and looked at her. I told her they would be a perfect match. I told her about the feistiness of this Two year old. She said she wanted to do the application process for her. She agreed that they would be a good match. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d have a good home, large space to roam, her own room to play in, and would be the ONLY cat. A pampered life. Just what this Torbie needs. She recognized that I am there to help cats find their right match. And Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m there for the welfare of the cat.
When I left for the day, she was headed in for her interview. I sincerely hope all goes well. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a good cat, loves head scritches, just doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t do well with other felines.
This is what makes it all worth while. Seriously.
A beautiful girl came into our shelter recently. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a two year old tortie/tabbie (torbie, right?) mix, with plenty of orange. I had a lady with two small kids come in last week to look at her. They werenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t the first ones to fall in love with her markings. We soon discovered her issues: She hates other cats. She also couldnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t relax with the kids around. She tolerated them, but that was the best she could do. Now, when I say she hated other cats, this was discovered as I was putting her back in her cage after seeing that family. She saw the other girl in the cage below hers and flipped out. She jumped back into her cage and promptly turned and swiped at my hand, drawing blood. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s also done this with at least two other volunteers. We marked on her cage card that she should be an ‘only catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] in an adults only home. Thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a difficult one to place. Most people who come in to look at the cats are either adding to their brood or have children…
I had hope anyway. I went back in for my normal day, this last Thursday, only to find my temperamental Torbie was still there. They even made her pet of the week in the newspaper. No luck. No one rushing in to adopt this girl.
On a side note: We are a kill shelter, but only based on behavior before they go into the Cattery (adoption room). I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t think I could abide volunteering for a kill shelter that kills based on time.
Thursday, sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s still there. We get people coming in, ignoring her. Then, about a half hour before I left, a lady came in, single, lives alone, no kids. She recently lost both of her cats, sisters. One last fall at 16, the other last month at the age of 17. She first fell in love with one of the kittens, a feisty little girl. But this one already has two adopters on her. Not much chance of her getting this kitten. She was about to leave, heartbroken, but I went back out and reminded her of this Torbie (she was very focused, tunnel vision for one cat). She came back into the Cattery with me and looked at her. I told her they would be a perfect match. I told her about the feistiness of this Two year old. She said she wanted to do the application process for her. She agreed that they would be a good match. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d have a good home, large space to roam, her own room to play in, and would be the ONLY cat. A pampered life. Just what this Torbie needs. She recognized that I am there to help cats find their right match. And Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m there for the welfare of the cat.
When I left for the day, she was headed in for her interview. I sincerely hope all goes well. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a good cat, loves head scritches, just doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t do well with other felines.
This is what makes it all worth while. Seriously.