Second Chance: Don’t Leave Me Behind

30 Oct Second Chance: Don’t Leave Me Behind

Kodiak

About 5 years ago I was abandoned by my people.  They had to leave town– I am sure for very good reason– and they felt that they couldn’t bring me along.  Fortunately, I was found and taken to Second Chance Humane Society (back when they had that tiny little “shelter” in town – wow have things changed for the better here!).  I was four at the time so it didn’t take too long before I was adopted – I am quite handsome you know.  Well, that was all great until very recently when my new family decided that they had to move.  So, here I am at Second Chance again…

It happens often, so I am not going to blame my former family.  There are many sheltermates here at Second Chance that arrived for the same reason as me, and it does no good to point fingers and make our people wrong.  But how do we stop this from occurring again?  Who or what is to blame?  The economy, which causes people seeking new employment to move away?  The property owners who don’t allow families to bring their cats with them?  The generations before who didn’t teach their children to relate to animals as family members?

Well, blaming anyone isn’t going to change the fact that I am now ten years old and homeless.  Do you know the diminished odds of a ten year old cat, no matter how sweet, mellow, and friendly (yes I’m talking about me here), being adopted?  Most people look at me and see a cat in its “final days” – regardless of how healthy I am or how long I plan to live.  Fortunately I know that I will eventually find a home as Second Chance will care for me until that happens – but how long will I have to wait?

So putting culpability aside, how can I prevent this from occurring to other pets?  My first thought is to have all animal adopters sign a form stating that if they ever decide to leave their pets behind they must eat cat poop for breakfast every day for a year.  Although that may actually prevent pets from being left behind, it is just my hurt and anger speaking (I know that situations do occur for pet parents that truly make it in the best interests of their pets to be re-homed), so I will move on toward more productive answers.

Oscar

I guess it just falls back on the culture humanity has created and that is where the change needs to be.  A major part of the Second Chance mission is promoting the human-animal bond, and we must continue to push the importance of pets in people’s lives, and of course the importance of people to our lives.  We must continue to emphasize the value of love over other human values.  We must build more pet friendly housing. And last but not least, we must find someone to adopt me…or if you are looking for a rockin’ new dog – Oscar…

Yo Dudes whaddup?!  Like Kodiak, I arrived here at Second Chance because of a life change that occurred amidst my former family as well.  Despite the girth of my head I am truly a jovial, charming and exuberantly friendly fellow.  I arrived with a wee little dog who was my bestest buddy so I do know how to be very gentle, despite again, the girth of my head.  I look forward to meeting and loving my new family…

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)

Second Chance Humane Society Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shop are both located in Ridgway, but service San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties. Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs. View the shelter pets and services online.