Posts Tagged ‘euthanasia’

Jesse : - )

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Jesse was surrendered by his owners to Animal Care and Control.  No one knows why.  As many of you know due to the extremely high volume of animals that come into the ACC, many do not live for long - they are euthanized to make way for ever more animals that come through their doors.  Bobbi and the Strays takes into their care many animals from places like the ACC - thereby removing them from the euthanasia lists and giving them a truly second chance at life.  Luckily, Jesse was rescued by Bobbi and the Strays and given this chance. 

Both of my cats had died - a few years apart - from cancer.  I was devastated and took a break from having any pets.  Then one day I decided it was time and I wanted to adopt a pair of cats.  Another volunteer, Carl, first suggested Jesse, a three year old - he was one of his favorites.  I also adopted a little 10 month old girl that I soon renamed Takoda. 

Jesse and Takoda got along pretty well soon after they arrived home, especially being together for the first time - and in a new place.  Now they are true pals - they chase eachother all around the apartment, wrestle, cuddle, and clean eachother. 

From when I first took Jesse home, though, he was afraid of some basic stuff.  Loud or strange noises of any kind - like a sneeze, a cough, dropping something, etc. would send him off into hiding. 

He also had no idea what a toy was.  When I showed him the toys I had for him he would whack them violently to get them away from him.  He had no idea what to do with them.  Slowly as he watched Takoda play with the toys and me - he started coming around.  Now he ENJOYS his toys SO much - especially the ones he can carry around in his mouth.  He even brings them to bed.  (He did have to learn not to play with them in the bed while mommy was trying to sleep, though.  Actually - I think he still may be learning this sometimes. :-) )

Another weird thing about him when I first adopted him was that he was afraid of people’s faces - everyones face.  And he used to smack me - kind of hard - in the head and face with both paws if I tried to put my face anywhere near him.  The first time I just thought he had to get used to me.  But who likes getting smacked in the head?  He never used his claws - so he was never nasty - just afraid - who knows what he had been through?  I already knew he never had any toys.  Who knows what else he never had. 

I tried not to look him in the face and would hold him under my chin or next to my face to get him used to being by a face. I would even quickly sneak in a kiss on his head and then look away or put him down. He still wanted to smack but I just made sure to hold his paws.  He even wanted to whack his veterinarian when the doctor tried to look in his eyes… 

But it took only just a little bit of time to show Jesse that no one was trying to eat him or anything.  Now Jesse loves to be hugged and kissed all over his head and face - all the time!  He even absolutely insists on being picked up, hugged, and kissed EVERY time I come home - even if I just go to throw the garbage out.  He even comes over and mushes his head right into my face - especially each morning - he LOVES faces now. 

Sweet Jesse

Sweet Jesse

He still ocassionally runs out of the room when I sneeze, though.  And he sometimes scares himself - where all of his hair stands on end and his tail gets all puffy - if he knocks something over too. :-)

All cats want to be loved and taken care of.  Isn’t that really what people want too?  Sometimes it just takes just a little bit of time for adoptees to truly understand that the lives they once knew are over - and that someone really loves them. 

Lap Time

Lap Time

You know what they say - adopt a stray and receive love everyday.  I can not imagine my life without Jesse and Takoda.  They make me smile and laugh every single day.

Jesse and Takoda

Jesse and Takoda

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Posted in Happy Tails | 3 Comments »

Never Say Never

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Sam was a yellow lab/shar pei mix that came to us from Animal Control in Staten Island. Their shelter was full and they were going to euthanize him and another dog named Tickles. Did we have room, they inquired? We, of course, are always full. There are more dogs needing rescue than people adopting but sometimes we are able to raise the funds to pay for two extra cages in boarding and that is what we did for Tickles and Sam.

The day they came in, I found Sam to be shy but friendly. His tail was between his legs and he stood there quivering. I eased him into the shelter and brought him back to the cage we set up for him.  He looked at me with uncertainity but followed me in. I left him alone to examine the comfy bed and new chew toys I had left for him.

Tickles was more outgoing. She covered my face with kisses and was very excited to be at our shelter. It was like she knew she was safe. She somehow knew she had escaped an early death. 

When I was leaving for the night I made an extra stop to Tickles and Sam’s cages. They were both on their beds all curled up. I had already turned the lights out so I couldn’t see them too well. I went into their cages and sat with them for a moment and pet them, telling them everything was okay now.

I never dreamed that either of them would be a “hard adoption.”   Sam was a cute lab mix and though he was scared, he was calm and friendly. Tickles was an adorable dog and though some people have prejudices against pits and pit mixes she was extremely freindly and outgoing, full of love and charm. Plus she was only 35 lbs and very short. The smaller dogs are easier to place in the city where many people live in cramped spaces.

However as the days wore on, Sam’s fear kept him from trusting new people. He was very in tune to body language and if someone leaned over him the wrong way or stared too hard, he felt he had to protect himself. His sensitivity to this suggests he may have been abused in his previous home. This broke our hearts and we were determined to do everything we could to help him. We took him to obedience classes. The first time I took him he refused to go down stairs. In fact he was petrified of them! It took me 15 minutes to get him down the steps to the class.

Another volunteer named Donna fell in love with Sam and continued classes with him. He picked up commands very easily and he mastered “sit’, “stay”, “come” and “down” very easily. He graduated the beginners class without a problem. However he didn’t do as well in his CGC class. Because he was very afraid of some strangers it was difficult for him to accept the touch of a stranger during certain tests for the CGC.

Sam seemed to withdraw more and more. Fewer and fewer volunteers were willing to walk him. People became afraid of him. With the volunteers and staff who knew him and who he trusted he was a loveable, playful puppy. He loved playing fetch, practicing his commands and just cuddling on your lap. But the people he didn’t know or trust saw him differently. “That dog will never get adopted!” someone once said.

But at Bobbi and the Strays we never say never! We never gave up on Sam. We continued to work with him and advertise him. We were committed to finding him the right home

Not long after, Sam’s angels came to meet him. They were a lovely couple that lived in Westchester county. They just moved to a home with a spacious grassy yard. They loved hiking in the beautiful Rockefeller State Perserve and planned to take their new dog with them. It seemed an ideal life for Sam. 

When they came to meet Sam, Sam loved them right away. He trusted them right on the spot and they didn’t let him down. They wanted to adopt him! It surely was the happiest day of his life so far!

We knew that there would be an adjustment period and Sam’s new parents understood.  He was always good with them and showed them nothing but love and gratitude. He can still be weary of some strangers but they continue to work with him to build his confidence.

The happiest moment for us was getting updated photos of Sam in his new home. He looked like a different dog. So happy and relaxed! The weight of the world seemed to be lifted off his shoulders!

Here are some photos that his new parents have sent to us. Doesn’t he look wonderful?

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Meanwhile Tickles, the petite outgoing pit mix is still at our shelter. This completely baffles us because she is an adorable, well behaved dog.  She goes out on day trips with volunteers sometimes who say she is great. She is housebroken, walks well on the leash, loves learning basic commands and playing with her toys. When I took her to Rockaway Beach a couple of times she was so happy to be there. She loved sniffing the sand and she stood at the waters edge taking in the salty air and the scenery.  She doesn’t give us any problems at the shelter. Its heartbreaking for us to see her stare out through the cage bars when we put her back in the cage for the night. She seems to be wondering, “Why hasn’t anyone come for me?”

Recently a volunteer made a video of Tickles in hopes that it would help her find a home.  Please click here to watch her video:  Tickles still needs a home!

We know that just like with Sam, there is a home out there for Tickles.  We just have to find it! Please spread the word about this wonderful dog so soon we can post updated photos of her happy and relaxed in her new home as we did with Sam.

To adopt or foster Tickles please email Adopt@bobbicares.org

For more info on this wonderful dog please see her bio on our website: Tickles Adoption Page

Here are the most recent photos of the beautiful Tickles taken at our shelter.

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Posted in Happy Tails, How To Help, Rescue Stories | 2 Comments »

Kitten Season

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

  

Well … Spring has sprung and it is “kitten season”. We have many kittens currently for adoption – or who will soon be available for adoption. I am sure that you will always, especially over the next few months, be able to find kittens for adoption at Bobbi and the Strays. We are always extremely happy when a kitten gets adopted into a great home.

 

 But sadly, for most, that is not usually the case. Many kittens die at a very young age due to diseases and the other dangers of living outside on the streets. Millions of cats (and dogs) are born each year to live and die homeless – or are caught but then euthanized because there is just too many of them and not enough homes.

 

 The really frustrating part of this is that most of these litters could have been prevented. Over 17,000 dogs and cats were euthanized in our own city last year. Even with more people choosing to adopt rather than buy, there is simply not enough homes for all the animals. While ten thousand humans are born everyday, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. The only way to keep the pet population under control is to spay and neueter.

 

 Spaying or neutering one dog saves 67,000 lives in six years if two survive each litter. Spaying or neutering one cat saves 420,000 lives in seven years if two survive from each litter.

 

So many well-meaning people have been feeding stray cats for months, or even years, and then seem surprised when kittens appear. It then turns into a never-ending vicious cycle… So if you encounter a stray cat – what should you do?

 

Simply feeding a stray cat and letting it go on its way is not doing much of a kindness to the cat – or the cat population in general. If you don’t help the poor creatures, chances are, nobody else will, and before you know it a small problem will mushroom into a big one – in your neighborhood - in your yard.

 

 If you are able to catch the cat, and/or kittens, adopt and care for it – wonderful. Of course even in-door cats with homes should be spayed or neutered. It is the best thing you can do for their health.  Please click HERE to find out the top 10 reasons why you should spay/neuter your pet. 

 

If you catch it but are unable to give the cat, or kittens, a home yourself, please try to find a home elsewhere. Bobbi and the Strays may even be able to help if you are able to keep the cat (even a dog, kitten, puppy) in your own home while a permanent home is being sought.  We can then help get the word out that this animal needs a home.  (Please note that Bobbi and the Strays is not equipped to handle feral cats. We are a “no kill” rescue group and currently only have temporary space.) 

 

You can also call animal shelters and rescue groups in your area until you find one that will accept the cat. Be persistent and patient, realizing that all shelters and rescue groups are overwhelmed by the enormity of the stray dog and cat overpopulation problem.

 

No one wants to admit that they may be contributing to the plight of homeless animals - certainly not the kind-hearted animal lover who always leaves food out for the neighborhood strays. Streets, shelters, and alleys are filled with too many “unwanted animals” whose only crime was being born in the first place. PLEASE do not allow the cycle to continue.   

 

If you are unable to easily catch and find the cat a home or simply cannot face the reality that some shelters who would accept the cat may have no choice but to humanely euthanize it, and you feel you must then leave the cat outside - then at the very least please GET THE CAT SPAYED OR NEUTERED and bring an end to the miserable cycle known as the “kitten factory”. 

 

Several groups can help you “Trap, Neuter, & Release” (TNR).  They will provide information on low-cost or even free spay/neuter clinics and may even assist you with catching feral cats and kittens.  Please click here for information on local spay/neuter clinics and TNR programs. 

 

 You can even help spay & neuter homeless puppies, dogs, cats, and kittens by becoming a Bobbi and the Strays Pet Guardian and sponsoring our spay/neuter program.  This very important program will help all of the animals that come into our care - and help keep more strays off of the streets and out of shelters too!  Please click HERE to find out more about this very important program.

 

And if you already have pets of your own, it is much better for their heath to have them spayed and neutered.  It also helps keep unwanted animals off of the streets and out of shelters too!  Please click here for great reasons to spay and neuter your pets.  At the bottom of that page - there is a link to some great resources for free or low-cost spay and neuter programs too. 

  dh_nanicat11

 

A kindness is NEVER wasted, although it can be misplaced. Please make sure YOUR kindness is in the proper place. : - )

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Posted in How To Help | 11 Comments »