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My first trip to the Humane Society (LONG)
[Not sure which is the most appropriate usenet group for just general cat
discussion. This one, while being the most heavily trafficked, also seems to have the most flamewars and noise.] My sweet Ariel, who adopted me in April of 1990, passed away this weekend. Even after just a few days without, I knew I needed to find a new kitty. I decided to pay my first visit to the local Humane Society (Champaign, IL pop.150,000). I'd heard and read various and sundry things about the Humane Society over the years, ranging from praise, to horror stories. Knowing that the quality of the HS varies depending on city, I really didn't know what to expect. I got there at 5:00, an hour before closing. The first thing that struck me was the sheer number of people browsing pets. The person I spoke with said they do 10-30 cat adoptions per day. Cats and dogs are kept completely separate; I concentrated solely in the felines. I would roughly estimate between 100 and 150 cats were there. The majority in cages, some sharing cages, but never more than 3, and only in the larger cages. Those with special feeding needs and/or those on certain treatments were isolated in separate cages. The cats all seemed well fed. While a lot were sleeping (hot weather will do that), I didn't see any that appeared in any distress. A lot of talkative souls, a myriad of cats wanting to both give and receive affection. A much wider array of breeds than I would have expected. There were two "social rooms" that had several couches, a dozen or so "cat trees," baskets, and carpeted pillars. In each room were 10-20 of the more "sociable" cats, free to roam and interact. Plenty of food and clean litter. Each of the cages and rooms had information sheets in plastic about each cat, showing the cat's name, a picture, age, gender, neuter status, declaw status, temperment, special diet requirements, and date admitted. Plenty of help (volunteers) around to answer questions, or help you take a cat to one of the smaller "Get Acquainted" rooms. I asked them about euthanasia, and they said that the only time they euthanized was if (1) there were major health problems, or (2) the cat was so socially maladjusted that it presented a danger to a potential owner or other cats. I was surprised to find cats that had been there for over a year. This HS apparently go out of their way to NOT euthanize an animal just because it's been there longer. The person I spoke with lamented the comparative difficulty in adopting out adult cats; "everybody wants kittens." I'm guessing that's a big issue with families with children who only want "cute widdle kitties." This HS has taken an interesting approach to that: cats less than 1 year old are $100 to adopt, older than 1 year are $75. I had already made up my mind that if I were going to adopt, it would be an adult cat. I want to help by adopting a cat that might not otherwise find a home. The adoption fee covers current shots (except rabies), testing for Feline Leukemia, and microchipping. Two things I found interesting: You cannot take the cat home with you right then and there. There is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period, for two purposes: (1) helps avoid spur-of-the-moment adoption decisions, and (2) allows the cat to be given a final medical checkup before leaving. Also, you are required to take the cat to a veterinarian within 3 business days of adoption (rabies shot, county registration, verification of fitness). I fell in love with a gorgeous cat named Sadie. She's about 2 years old, pure black with gold eyes, and long hair (not sure what breed... long hair and poofy tail, but not the squished face of a Persian). When I picked up the puffball and placed her on my shoulder, she was immediately purring loudly and kneading my arm. Very happy kitty. Placed on the floor, she would jump up onto the chair next to me and either (1) want to walk onto my lap, or (2) plop down on the chair staring at me while flexing her paws happily. So I signed up for an adoption. Overnight, I kept thinking it over, and came to the decision that rather than just one, I should get Sadie a companion, since I tend to work long hours and am away most of the day. So back I went today, and instead of picking Sadie up, spent time introducing other cats to her, in order to see who might be compatible. After a few aborted attempts (1) a huge muscular male "alley cat" that was the biggest fraidy cat ever, and just hid under a chair after Sadie batted at his nose... wimp, and (2) an extremely talkative older lady that was just too old and crotchety to deal with a young whippersnapper, one of the staff suggested that since Sadie came from one of the "social rooms" maybe I should try one of the 20 cats that had been in there with her. Oh... DUH! Sheesh, I should have thought of that. So I go into the room to see what cat personalities are available, and over lopes "Goldy" (love the cat, hate the name), and he decides to make my acquaintence... forcefully. When I picked him up, he immediately meowed, licked my ear, and started chewing on my hair, purring softly. Mkay. I placed him in the room with Sadie, and after a quick "*sniff* Hey, I know you!" the two of them just went about their exploring and playing, very much at ease with one another. I spied on them for a little bit from outside of the room to see if any problems would develop. Nah... S'all good. Sooo.... as of now I'm scheduled to pick them both up tomorrow after work. Gotta pick up another cat carrier though. I found out afterwards that they encourage people to adopt cats in pairs, so there's no adoption fee for the second cat. I would have paid it anyway, so I'm going to give part of the second cat fee as a voluntary donation. Overall, I feel a lot better about the Humane Society (at least our local chapter) than I did beforehand. They seem to do very nice work there and genuinely care for the animals. -Dan |
#2
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Dan wrote:
Sooo.... as of now I'm scheduled to pick them both up tomorrow after work. Gotta pick up another cat carrier though. I found out afterwards that they encourage people to adopt cats in pairs, so there's no adoption fee for the second cat. I would have paid it anyway, so I'm going to give part of the second cat fee as a voluntary donation. Overall, I feel a lot better about the Humane Society (at least our local chapter) than I did beforehand. They seem to do very nice work there and genuinely care for the animals. Great, sounds wonderful! I'm glad you got 2. You'll have to keep us posted on what they're up to. I'm sure you have many happy times ahead with them. They sound like 2 lucky kitties. I'm sorry about your late cat, it's a nice tribute to him/her to give some others a home. Candace |
#3
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Dan wrote:
Overall, I feel a lot better about the Humane Society (at least our local chapter) than I did beforehand. They seem to do very nice work there and genuinely care for the animals. -Dan Hi Dan. You rule. Thanks for saving not ONE but TWO adult kitties. I am sure the HS will appreciate you donating money to them instead of paying an adoption fee for Goldy. Feel free to keep us updated...lots of us like to see pictures. FYI...I am a graduate of U of I...class of 94. So, I am familiar with Chambana and I think I even went to their HS one day just to see some kitties. I ended up getting my first kitty, Luna, from the HS of Chicago. They had the same policy...no same day adoptions and no weekend adoptions (iirc). Enjoy your new furbabies and like I said...PIX!!!!! pls. k. thx. Pam |
#4
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Dan wrote: snipped Sooo.... as of now I'm scheduled to pick them both up tomorrow after work. Gotta pick up another cat carrier though. I found out afterwards that they encourage people to adopt cats in pairs, so there's no adoption fee for the second cat. I would have paid it anyway, so I'm going to give part of the second cat fee as a voluntary donation. Overall, I feel a lot better about the Humane Society (at least our local chapter) than I did beforehand. They seem to do very nice work there and genuinely care for the animals. -Dan Condolences on Ariel's death. But... Congrats (a-little-in-advance) on your 2 new adoptees! :-) May they have long, healthy, & happy lives! Cathy P.S. I agree, Goldy's name, but mostly because it saounds like a name for a female cat, to me! g |
#5
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"Dan" wrote in message news:xt1ze.129661$_o.22350@attbi_s71... [Not sure which is the most appropriate usenet group for just general cat discussion. This one, while being the most heavily trafficked, also seems to have the most flamewars and noise.] My sweet Ariel, who adopted me in April of 1990, passed away this weekend. I'm very sorry to hear about Ariel. Even after just a few days without, I knew I needed to find a new kitty. I decided to pay my first visit to the local Humane Society (Champaign, IL pop.150,000). I'd heard and read various and sundry things about the Humane Society over the years, ranging from praise, to horror stories. Knowing that the quality of the HS varies depending on city, I really didn't know what to expect. snip Overall, I feel a lot better about the Humane Society (at least our local chapter) than I did beforehand. They seem to do very nice work there and genuinely care for the animals. -Dan Congrats on adopting two kitties! I enjoyed your post and detailed description of the shelter. If I was in the area, I would have to check it out. Sounds like my dream cat shelter, especially with the social rooms. I look forward to hearing more about them P.S. The group isn't always like this, you've caught us at a bad time. Stick around, and keep posting about your cats. -Kelly |
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#7
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On Thu, 7 Jul 2005 11:11:01 -0500, "Barb"
, wrote: That's a very nice story. You wouldn't care to divulge what city this HS is in? Some day, hopefully way in the future after my 2 year old cat's days are over, I will need to find an older adult cat as I don't want my cats to outlive me. My own experience at the animal league was so poor that I doubt that I will return although I do still donate to them. From the OP: Champaign, IL Just a comment on the OP's "local branch" of the HS. There is no global HS - anyone may use the names Human Society, SPCA, etc. Just to clarify for anyone who isn't aware. -- Janet B www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfr...bedience/album |
#8
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What a lovely story!
Enjoy them. They sound like an adorable pair : -T |
#9
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That's a very nice story. You wouldn't care to divulge what city this HS is
in? Some day, hopefully way in the future after my 2 year old cat's days are over, I will need to find an older adult cat as I don't want my cats to outlive me. My own experience at the animal league was so poor that I doubt that I will return although I do still donate to them. -- Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. |
#10
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Dan wrote:
Sooo.... as of now I'm scheduled to pick them both up tomorrow after work. Gotta pick up another cat carrier though. I found out afterwards that they encourage people to adopt cats in pairs, so there's no adoption fee for the second cat. I would have paid it anyway, so I'm going to give part of the second cat fee as a voluntary donation. Hi Dan, I'm very sorry for your loss of Ariel. I know she'd heartily approve of your new furkids Congrats! LAUREN See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe |
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