Second Chance: Pet Abandonment Hurts

16 Jan Second Chance: Pet Abandonment Hurts

Second Chance Humane Society Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shops 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 shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.

Regiis

Not long ago I had a family. I like to believe they were good people who fell upon hard times. Those hard times convinced them they could no longer care for me. I know there are lots of folks who get smacked down by life and can barely take care of their own needs let alone their pets. It happens. I am a cat and I am not going to judge anyone on this. I like to think they made a choice that they felt was in my best interest. However, their choice with regards to how to carry out that decision was not in my best interest.

I do not know what it is like to be so down that you believe you have to give up your pet. All I ask is that if you have the great misfortune of being in that situation don’t just leave your pet behind, alone, out in the cold and drive off.

I am a living being. I am a social creature. You were my family. It hurt my heart to be left behind. Aside from the emotional damage, this is also how pets suffer and die. And it is unnecessary as fortunately there are places like Second Chance Humane Society that can care for pets in need and find them new families.

After my people drove off, with all of their belongings but me, I was so cold and shocked all I could think to do was sit there in the snow and cry out. I kept thinking that they forgot me by accident and would be back, so I stayed right where they left me and wailed.

Neighbors heard my cries and came out to help me, but since they weren’t my people I got scared and I ran and hid. It took two nights of subzero temperatures before I realized being freezing was far worse than stranger danger. Now I am warm and safe at the shelter. I am in a big cozy cat room with other cats I like. Now I just keep thinking, “If my people had just brought me directly here that would have been a lot easier and less stressful for everyone.”

Amazingly, this kind of thing happens regularly. This is the raison d’etre I am writing this week’s Pet Column. After seeing four kittens brought in to the kitten room upstairs who had been abandoned on someone else’s property I’d had enough. Like me those kittens suffered needlessly. Now they are happy and playing. They were lucky to have been found. So people, let’s just skip the part where the pets have to suffer and if you can’t care for us – bring us here (or find someone who will).

My name is Regiis, named in honor of a Second Chance beloved canine who was also abandoned on the roadside. I am a three-year-old female Diluted Calico and when people meet me they remark that I am “quite stunning.” Despite my recent traumatic episode I remain affectionate, good tempered, curious, and cuddly. I enjoy other cats, but prefer dogs who keep their distance.

If you have room in your heart and home, please consider giving me a second chance at love and forever family. I won’t let you down.