Ping: Phil

Just wanted to tell you I got fired (again) yesterday from working
adoptions.

A couple came in to look at a kitten, and spotted a Boxer and started
squealing about how they wanted him. I told them he was a cat killer.
They didn't seem properly horrified at that aspect of his personality.
Couldn't decide whether they wanted the Boxer or the kitten. STarted
babbling about the dogs and cats they "used to have." So I turned them
down for ambivalence and lack of commitment. I *know* that kitten would
have a home until the "new" wore off then out it would go.

I don't know why I even try. If it was up to me, I wouldn't let 1/2 the
people who come through that door have a cat.

Sherry

wrote in message
oups.com...
Just wanted to tell you I got fired (again) yesterday from working
adoptions.

A couple came in to look at a kitten, and spotted a Boxer and started
squealing about how they wanted him. I told them he was a cat killer.
They didn't seem properly horrified at that aspect of his personality.
Couldn't decide whether they wanted the Boxer or the kitten. STarted
babbling about the dogs and cats they "used to have." So I turned them
down for ambivalence and lack of commitment. I *know* that kitten would
have a home until the "new" wore off then out it would go.

I don't know why I even try. If it was up to me, I wouldn't let 1/2 the
people who come through that door have a cat.

Sherry


I'm not Phil (obviously), but I wanted to let you know that I think you did
the right thing. Moreover, the people who run that organization are
*idiots.* They should be delighted to have someone who really cares about
the welfare of those cats and dogs. Instead, they seem to care more about
public relations. At least, that's my take on a situation like this. I
would guess that the people who wanted to adopt complained, and the managers
reacted to that instead of backing you up in what was a wise decision.

MaryL

MaryL wrote:


I'm not Phil (obviously), but I wanted to let you know that I think you did
the right thing. Moreover, the people who run that organization are
*idiots.* They should be delighted to have someone who really cares about
the welfare of those cats and dogs. Instead, they seem to care more about
public relations. At least, that's my take on a situation like this. I
would guess that the people who wanted to adopt complained, and the managers
reacted to that instead of backing you up in what was a wise decision.

MaryL

Thanks, Mary; I agree with you 100% of course. But I was half-joking
about the "getting fired" part. I'm on the board of directors and don't
actually work at the shelter that much. But I was down there working on
the "shower" fundraiser and just happened to be the only one available
to work the adoption when they walked in. Every time I do an adoption
they fuss at me for being too particular. But seriously, it's a real
source of frustration for me. I *am* the most picky about adoptions.
But I'm only one vote on the board.

Sherry

wrote in message
oups.com...

MaryL wrote:


I'm not Phil (obviously), but I wanted to let you know that I think you
did
the right thing. Moreover, the people who run that organization are
*idiots.* They should be delighted to have someone who really cares
about
the welfare of those cats and dogs. Instead, they seem to care more
about
public relations. At least, that's my take on a situation like this. I
would guess that the people who wanted to adopt complained, and the
managers
reacted to that instead of backing you up in what was a wise decision.

MaryL

Thanks, Mary; I agree with you 100% of course. But I was half-joking
about the "getting fired" part. I'm on the board of directors and don't
actually work at the shelter that much. But I was down there working on
the "shower" fundraiser and just happened to be the only one available
to work the adoption when they walked in. Every time I do an adoption
they fuss at me for being too particular. But seriously, it's a real
source of frustration for me. I *am* the most picky about adoptions.
But I'm only one vote on the board.

Sherry


Personally, I think it's good to be "picky" as long as it is done in a
diplomatic way (hard to do sometimes). Some people seem to think any home
is better than no home, and they will talk about how the animals otherwise
would be euthanized. Unfortunately, the part about euthanasia is
all-too-true. However, this line of thinking ignores the possibility of
abuse or neglect of the pets that are adopted, and it further ignores the
large number of pets that are eventually dumped right back at the same
facility or (even worse) dumped and abandoned by the side of the road. My
wonderful Duffy was the victim of part of this scenario. He had been
adopted and kept for 2 years, then returned to shelter -- and the ridiculous
story that was told was that even though blind, he managed to get to their
pet birds and killed one and was *teaching their sighted cat to also get to
the birds*! Then he remained at the shelter for several months until I had
the great good fortune to adopt him. He is a truly remarkable little guy
and is absolutely loving and adoring. I can't for the life of me understand
why any reasonable person would give him up. He has brought an incredible
amount of pleasure into my life. I first saw Duffy's picture on
Petfinder.com. When I adopted him, there was a lengthy questionnaire to
fill out, an interview process, and an introduction to Duffy. I was very
happy to go through this and even filled out the questionnaire (available
online) before I visited the shelter and took references with me. I would
like to see more of that type of process. (Of course, I must admit that
what started out as a deplorable situation for Duffy has turned out to be a
happy conclusion for both of us. For far too many, though, the end results
are entirely different.)

MaryL

My cats --
Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf
Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o
Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
news:1yFTe.6635$Ix4.289@okepread03...

wrote in message
oups.com...

MaryL wrote:


I'm not Phil (obviously), but I wanted to let you know that I think you
did
the right thing. Moreover, the people who run that organization are
*idiots.* They should be delighted to have someone who really cares
about
the welfare of those cats and dogs. Instead, they seem to care more
about
public relations. At least, that's my take on a situation like this. I
would guess that the people who wanted to adopt complained, and the
managers
reacted to that instead of backing you up in what was a wise decision.

MaryL

Thanks, Mary; I agree with you 100% of course. But I was half-joking
about the "getting fired" part. I'm on the board of directors and don't
actually work at the shelter that much. But I was down there working on
the "shower" fundraiser and just happened to be the only one available
to work the adoption when they walked in. Every time I do an adoption
they fuss at me for being too particular. But seriously, it's a real
source of frustration for me. I *am* the most picky about adoptions.
But I'm only one vote on the board.

Sherry


Personally, I think it's good to be "picky" as long as it is done in a
diplomatic way (hard to do sometimes). Some people seem to think any home
is better than no home, and they will talk about how the animals otherwise
would be euthanized. Unfortunately, the part about euthanasia is
all-too-true. However, this line of thinking ignores the possibility of
abuse or neglect of the pets that are adopted, and it further ignores the
large number of pets that are eventually dumped right back at the same
facility or (even worse) dumped and abandoned by the side of the road. My
wonderful Duffy was the victim of part of this scenario. He had been
adopted and kept for 2 years, then returned to shelter -- and the
ridiculous story that was told was that even though blind, he managed to
get to their pet birds and killed one and was *teaching their sighted cat
to also get to the birds*! Then he remained at the shelter for several
months until I had the great good fortune to adopt him. He is a truly
remarkable little guy and is absolutely loving and adoring. I can't for
the life of me understand why any reasonable person would give him up. He
has brought an incredible amount of pleasure into my life. I first saw
Duffy's picture on Petfinder.com. When I adopted him, there was a lengthy
questionnaire to fill out, an interview process, and an introduction to
Duffy. I was very happy to go through this and even filled out the
questionnaire (available online) before I visited the shelter and took
references with me. I would like to see more of that type of process.
(Of course, I must admit that what started out as a deplorable situation
for Duffy has turned out to be a happy conclusion for both of us. For far
too many, though, the end results are entirely different.)

MaryL

My cats --
Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf
Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o
Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e


We adopted our Fluffernutter from the SPCA when he was about 1-1/2 - 2 yrs.
old. He had been dumped there because he had fleas. I guess they never
heard of frontline or advantage etc etc. Never ceases to amaze me the
stories you get when people bring in their animals. We just had two
beautiful boys that we adopted out last spring returned. The people are
getting divorced and neither want the cats. Man, if that was around here
we'd be in the middle of a custody battle. Guess we need to ask people what
they would do with their pets in case of divorce now?

W

MaryL -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote:

: Personally, I think it's good to be "picky" as long as it is done in a
: diplomatic way (hard to do sometimes). Some people seem to think any home
: is better than no home, and they will talk about how the animals otherwise
: would be euthanized. Unfortunately, the part about euthanasia is
: all-too-true. However, this line of thinking ignores the possibility of
: abuse or neglect of the pets that are adopted...

This is not a difficult call for me. An ok home is better than getting
killed.

I don't see why an organization that practices euthanasia should have
the right to ask an individual for "references". What nerve. In the end
people who dump their animals do so for the same reasons (lack of
money, space, time) that "shelters" kill for. I think dumping is more
humane as it gives an animal another chance.

It is citizens who should set policies and priorities of a society,
instead of letting bureaucracies dictate to them. But, it is some
trouble, we get lazy, and that's how New Orleans are earned and
republics lost.

To Sherry: I understand your good intentions but the road to hell is
paved with those. There is nothing in your description to suggest that
the couple would have been abusive or careless. Maybe they were new and
nervous, or may be just chatty. If you had nothing but that to turn
down an adoption, and if your shelter practices euthanasia, will you
personally guarantee that that particular animal will not be
euthanised, come what may, no matter what, as long as you have a single
breath or dollar left? If not, I find your conduct far more shameful
than anything that couple did.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Just wanted to tell you I got fired (again) yesterday from working
adoptions.

A couple came in to look at a kitten, and spotted a Boxer and started
squealing about how they wanted him. I told them he was a cat killer.
They didn't seem properly horrified at that aspect of his personality.
Couldn't decide whether they wanted the Boxer or the kitten. STarted
babbling about the dogs and cats they "used to have." So I turned them
down for ambivalence and lack of commitment. I *know* that kitten would
have a home until the "new" wore off then out it would go.

I think you did the right thing. I wouldn't have given them a cat-
especially a kitten- either. Applications don't even scratch the surface-
you have to go on your gut instincts. I've known plenty of 'bad people'
that take much better care of their cats than 'good people' who have
'perfect' applications.

I've turned down people for not showing enough interest in or not paying
enough attention to my first-time owner spiel. I figure if they don't have
the patience to put up with me, they damn sure don't have the patience to
deal with a cat.

Then you get the ones who tell you their last cat was hit by a car, and
another just disappeared, and another was killed by a dog- and they plan to
allow the new cat out - free roaming- because cats are "free spirits".

How about the ones who think a cat learns fast from a good smack? Or the
ones that believe every female has the right to be a mother and her life
isn't fulfilled until she has kittens?

Reading some of the idiotic posts in cat newsgroups hasn't done anything to
reinforce my faith in human nature, either.



I don't know why I even try. If it was up to me, I wouldn't let 1/2 the
people who come through that door have a cat.

That's 5 times more than I allowed! My adoption rate was down to about 10%
when I finally realized I better stick to taking care of the cats and let
other people handle the adoptions. I even second-guessed myself about the
10% who managed to get through my 'interrogations' and 'inquisitions'.

Having a cat's live and future entrusted to you is an awful responsibility.
You have to do what you can live with and what feels right.

Phil

"Kiran" wrote in message
...
MaryL -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote:

: Personally, I think it's good to be "picky" as long as it is done in a
: diplomatic way (hard to do sometimes). Some people seem to think any
home
: is better than no home, and they will talk about how the animals
otherwise
: would be euthanized. Unfortunately, the part about euthanasia is
: all-too-true. However, this line of thinking ignores the possibility of
: abuse or neglect of the pets that are adopted...

This is not a difficult call for me. An ok home is better than getting
killed.


How do you define an "ok home"? There are worse things than death, even
though I think it is heart breaking to think about those innocent cats and
dogs that are killed. Haven't you seen any of the reports that have shown
neglected and abused animals?

I don't see why an organization that practices euthanasia should have
the right to ask an individual for "references". What nerve. In the end
people who dump their animals do so for the same reasons (lack of
money, space, time) that "shelters" kill for. I think dumping is more
humane as it gives an animal another chance.


Unlike you, I think it is an *obligation* of an organization that adopts out
animals to interview potential adopters and review references. Those
animals are in the care of these organizations, and there are many people
who would adopt pets for less-than-humane motives.


It is citizens who should set policies and priorities of a society,
instead of letting bureaucracies dictate to them. But, it is some
trouble, we get lazy, and that's how New Orleans are earned and
republics lost.


Actually, bureaucracies are comprised of citizens. Most of us complain
about bureaucracies when we are unhappy with the results, then we decry
those same organizations when they fail to show up or intervene when we
think that should be done.

To Sherry: I understand your good intentions but the road to hell is
paved with those. There is nothing in your description to suggest that
the couple would have been abusive or careless. Maybe they were new and
nervous, or may be just chatty. If you had nothing but that to turn
down an adoption, and if your shelter practices euthanasia, will you
personally guarantee that that particular animal will not be
euthanised, come what may, no matter what, as long as you have a single
breath or dollar left? If not, I find your conduct far more shameful
than anything that couple did.

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
news:1yFTe.6635

Personally, I think it's good to be "picky" as long as it is done in a
diplomatic way (hard to do sometimes). Some people seem to think any home
is better than no home, and they will talk about how the animals otherwise
would be euthanized. Unfortunately, the part about euthanasia is
all-too-true. However, this line of thinking ignores the possibility of
abuse or neglect of the pets that are adopted, and it further ignores the
large number of pets that are eventually dumped right back at the same
facility or (even worse) dumped and abandoned by the side of the road.

Oh, yeah! That the first thing most people say when I say no. "So I guess
you'd rather see him killed than with us?" I simply say, "No, I'd rather
see him in a home with people who are better suited".


My
wonderful Duffy was the victim of part of this scenario. He had been
adopted and kept for 2 years, then returned to shelter -- and the
ridiculous
story that was told was that even though blind, he managed to get to their
pet birds and killed one and was *teaching their sighted cat to also get
to
the birds*!

Personally, I think that story is an excellent testament to the indomitable
spirit of the cat!




Then he remained at the shelter for several months until I had
the great good fortune to adopt him. He is a truly remarkable little guy
and is absolutely loving and adoring. I can't for the life of me
understand
why any reasonable person would give him up. He has brought an incredible
amount of pleasure into my life. I first saw Duffy's picture on
Petfinder.com. When I adopted him, there was a lengthy questionnaire to
fill out, an interview process, and an introduction to Duffy. I was very
happy to go through this and even filled out the questionnaire (available
online) before I visited the shelter and took references with me. I would
like to see more of that type of process. (Of course, I must admit that
what started out as a deplorable situation for Duffy has turned out to be
a
happy conclusion for both of us. For far too many, though, the end
results
are entirely different.)


I always enjoy reading your story about Duffy!

Phil

"Kiran" wrote in message
...

To Sherry: I understand your good intentions but the road to hell is
paved with those. There is nothing in your description to suggest that
the couple would have been abusive or careless. Maybe they were new and
nervous, or may be just chatty. If you had nothing but that to turn
down an adoption, and if your shelter practices euthanasia, will you
personally guarantee that that particular animal will not be
euthanised, come what may, no matter what, as long as you have a single
breath or dollar left? If not, I find your conduct far more shameful
than anything that couple did.

Whoa! I think you need to walk a mile in Sherry's shoes before you
criticize how she walks! There's nothing worse than going against your gut
instincts by placing a cat and finding out later that cat lived a life of
misery and abuse or neglect. Sherry made the right call because she made it
from her heart with the cat's welfare as her first priority. I would have
made the same call.

The view down on the field is a lot different from the view from the
bleachers.