Wednesday, March 11, 2020

teach your children

**a post from the mom

Over the weekend, a cat that was adopted 3 years ago was returned. They got a new puppy and the cat "wasn't adjusting" so he was brought back. After 3 years....and being declawed.

While this is enough to frustrate me by itself, I went back and looked at his paperwork. At the time he was adopted, they listed a kid age of 10 years. Which means the kid is now 13 years old.

And it got me thinking...what kind of lesson are they teaching her??

When kids come in to the rescue to donate stuff or volunteer, I try to make sure they know they are appreciated. They are the future of rescue. Their knowledge and compassion will lead us forward.

I do the same thing with my niece (aka the kid). She has been going with me to volunteer since she was probably about 4 years old (we would put her in a room with all the kittens and let them wear each other out). She and I go on vacation every other year and volunteer at Best Friends in Utah. She has gone to vet appointments with me with foster kittens.


I hope that kid grows up and learns better.

In the mean time - I know I'm at least making a difference with the kid in my life. 
 
We need to learn that kids learn so much more from what they see than what they are told. We need to be the example of compassion and responsibility. We need to be the better example. 

14 comments:

  1. Cats as "placeholder" or "consolation" pets until they can get a dog. UGH. So frustrating. I can't believe we're STILL having to deal with cats-are-disposable-dogs-are-real-pets attitude. Why does no one ever say "my cat doesn't like/is afraid of this dog, I'm taking the dog back"?

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  2. That is so great for kids to come into the rescue and learn all about cats that need homes. Well done.

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  3. Honestly, this information makes me angry, VERY angry. Yes, those parents are teaching their child that pets are disposable. Plus, they destroyed the cat's paws. If there is only one good thing about this scenario, is that they brought the cat BACK to your rescue, instead of dumping it. My heart goes out to the kitty, and I'll pray that his REAL furrever home treats him like the treasured family member he is.

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  4. I hate this! If you have a cat and must get a dog you get a dog that will work with your cat, like maybe not a crazy untrained puppy. You train your dog to leave the cat alone. You catify your house so the cat has tons of places to go to get away from the dog. In this case more difficult because they cut his paws up so he can’t climb. And if it doesn’t work you get rid of the dog because you keep your commitment to your cat.

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  5. That is a really good insight - teach your children well. My parents did not teach responsible pet ownership, but I ended up rescuing animals. Whether taught properly or not, adults make a conscious choice to do better or to carry on bad behavior.

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  6. It's really a shame for that cat and also for their child thinking that this is ok to do. We know your niece is going and is already has received so much wonderful information from you. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day. You are doing an excellent job.
    World of Animals

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  7. It really p*sses me off that these people returned the cat...after 3 years. *smh*

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  8. Ugh! I know my human would have totally returned the puppy - and DEFINITELY not declawed the kitty! Too bad the shelter didn't have a crystal ball so they could tell not to adopt out the poor cat to this stupid family. Sometimes you just don't know. :-( I hope there is a mark on their files so they can never adopt from you guys again. Or that they've already been told not to ever return.

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    Replies
    1. Well said. People like that should not be allowed to adopt ever again.

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  9. Hisses to them - it always takes time for animals to adjust to new pets.

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  10. This makes us mad and sad! How dare they!

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  11. Maybe the child is heartbroken over what his turd-parents did, and will remember...

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  12. That is very sad for that poor kitty. My two foster fails were both adopted and returned (Harley twice!), but at least they weren't declawed. I'm glad your niece has a great role model in you.

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  13. Sad to hear, those folks are idiots. Poor kitty, I hope she/he finds a forever home soon.

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