twt@uicsl.UUCP (03/27/84)
#R:opus:-26700:uicsl:19200011:000:2056 uicsl!twt Mar 26 20:50:00 1984 I have done some volunteer work at my local animal shelter (Champaign County Humane Society), and I am always amazed at the number of animals which are there for dumb reasons such as: Moving, can't keep If I had a pet, I'd make sure I could take it with me wherever I went. I had a rabbit, and if he couldn't go, then I wouldn't go either. Landlord won't allow In all leases, there are clauses as to whether pets are allowed. If they are not allowed, WHY get one in the first place??? Too many kittens (puppies) Haven't these people ever heard of spaying/ neutering? One in particular that REALLY got to me.. Wanted children to see kittens COME ON NOW ... that's really cruel. Heres being born how kittens get born, now let's take them to the pound so they can be put to sleep. Sometimes I wish I could be there and REALLY tell these people off when they bring their animals in. Let me take this opportunity to remind everyone to have their animals fixed. Don't take it for granted that you can find homes, or if you can't then the shelter will (how could someone resist such a cute kitten?). Most animals which go to the pound do not find homes. I know it's hard to accept, but it's a fact. Occassionally I find an animal that I grow particularly fond of, and the next time I go to the shelter, if its not there I just convince myself that it's found a home. And don't take it for granted that your female cat (dog) won't get pregnant, cats have a way of getting out when they want to, and male dogs have a way of getting into yards when there's a female around. Also, if you want, you can probably put in some hours at your local shelter. One of the toughest jobs there is is socializing with the animals, especially kittens & puppies. Young animals which don't have much human contact tend to get shy of humans, and have an even slimmer chance of finding a home, so sometimes they just need to be held and petted. I know it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it. Mary
hutch@shark.UUCP (Stephen Hutchison) (03/29/84)
| And don't take it for granted that your female cat (dog) won't get | pregnant, cats have a way of getting out when they want to, and male | dogs have a way of getting into yards when there's a female around. Not only that but if the owner lets their bitch in heat get loose, she will make a beeline for the nearest compatible hound. When I was in highschool, our chihuahua-terrier cross was the only dog on the block which was small enough to mate with a poodle some neighbors kept. They refused to spay darling, and wouldn't think of keeping her locked up in the house. She ran all over the neighborhood causing the dobermans and shepherds and such to get into fights. But the best of all was when she was let out one day, and tore over to our house, and began bashing herself into the door. Mother thought this was a salesperson, and opened the door, then had to try and separate the two madly copulating dogs. Of course the neighbors thought it was all our fault. (They left off when we offered to take their precious in to the Pound the next time she came onto our property.) However, we ended up getting Brandy castrated to prevent future problems. He was just as nasty and obnoxious a dog after as before. Hutch
rcd@opus.UUCP (03/30/84)
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...from a posting looking for a home for a kitten...
> ...as Margaret can't keep her much longer - 4 is really enough.
Gee, we have, lessee, 16 cats right now. How can 4 be "really enough"?
Granted, we raise cats, so things are always in flux. (Four were born
Monday; one departs to new home tomorrow...)
More seriously, but without intending to flame, I wonder how it happens
that people get cats they just "can't keep"? I know that it happens now
and then when someone discovers they are allergic to cats only after having
a cat for a while, or when the home/apartment situation changes so that
pets are no longer allowed, but these are rare compared to the number of
cats for which people suddenly "must find a home."
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{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd