When I was young I was a playful kitten from what I guess I was cute and I can only vaguely remember the day I was taken from my mother to live in my new home. I remember living with the family for a while, going out in the yard and playing. At one time I became pregnant and that is when my life changed.
My owners loved my kittens, there were five of them. They played with them all the time from the day their eyes opened, to the day they got rid of us. Well, not all of us, they kept one of my kittens, taking myself and four others to the local shelter.
We sat in a cage together for a few days, then a lady in a white coat picked each of us up, and jabbed us with a needle, not once but twice! And she gave us a pill. Thank heavens for that lady, she also squirted stuff into our ears, and this continued for a few days, but after that the ringing in my ears, which I had as long as I can remember, finally stopped!
Well anyhow we soon were put in a room together, myself and my four kittens, and people came in looked at us regularly. The kitten that looked just like me, a calico, was the first to go. Then the next and the next and the next. Finally it was just me. I was put in a room with many other cats, but we each had our own cage for most of the time.
Fewer people visited this room than came to the room where I was with my kittens, fewer people petted me, or talked to me, or played with me. The days drifted by, it was boring.
Then one day they took me to another room. There were lots of cats in cages in this room, everyone meowing or trying to sleep.
The lady in the white coat came into the room. She made her way from cage to cage, sticking each cat with a needle. Finally it was my turn.
That was the last thing I remember… I was one year old.
This pet story will play out over and over in animal shelters around the world. Cats (and dogs too) are often discarded after having a litter in favor of a younger animal. They are taken to animal shelters where a lucky few go up for adoption. Adult animals, even those as young as 1 year, are often passed over in favor of cuter kittens and puppies.
I strongly encourage anyone looking for a new pet to visit their local animal shelter and consider adopting an older animal. In the United States alone more than 2 million cats (mostly adults) are euthanized in shelters every year simply because there are not enough homes for them all.
I also encourage anyone who owns a cat, or dog, and has no intention of taking it to shows to prove that it is worth breeding, to have that animal spayed or neutered. Failing this the pet should be kept indoors. If a person cannot afford to have a new pet spayed or neutered they can opt to adopt one that is already fixed as this generally costs less than the trip to a veterinarian to have a “free” pet taken care of.
Related Links
Pros and Cons of Spaying a Female Cat
What Happens to “Free Kittens”
How Cats Give Birth to Kittens - and What to do
Common Cat Facts Most Owners Don’t Know
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Liked it
Emmie
On August 22, 2010 at 6:51 pm
This was so sad and made me cry. I could never do anything like that to any animal and it winds me up so much when people have such disregard for animals.
It was a well told story and let’s hope that a few more people that need to read this actually do.
Emmie
PR Mace
On August 22, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Powerful heartfelt story. So many people think pets are nothing and when no longer wanted just take them to the shelter. I hope this tale opens eyes. I have placed it on Face Book.
Ethics0006
On August 22, 2010 at 11:39 pm
I feel your situation because I also have a cat. When somebody hurt her thats hurt me also.
GodsGrace
On August 23, 2010 at 12:07 am
Sad news for the kittens
Jenny Heart
On August 23, 2010 at 12:46 am
Very heartfelt indeed Brenda!
Val Mills
On August 23, 2010 at 6:04 am
What a powerful way to start your message, Brenda. We’ve been owned by many cats over the years and several of these have been more than a year old when they came from the SPCA to live with us. This is definitely a touching article.
PSingh1990
On August 23, 2010 at 6:54 am
nice one..
thanks for share.
Kinga
On August 23, 2010 at 9:19 am
Great article. Very touching!
Kankutty
On August 23, 2010 at 9:23 am
An excellent story.Quite touching.Liked your style of writing.I am a new writer.
Thanks.
Francois Hagnere
On August 23, 2010 at 9:34 am
Cats give us so much love, they need our love and respect. This is a very hearfelt story. I totally agree. Thank you so much.
webseowriters
On August 23, 2010 at 10:21 am
Thanks for such a nice share
Netty net
On August 23, 2010 at 11:37 am
That’s so sad.
Anuradha Ramkumar
On August 23, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Very touching article. How could someone do this to these poor things?
Jimmy Shilaho
On August 24, 2010 at 3:31 am
You clearly are a pet expert, this is an awesome entry.
papaleng
On August 24, 2010 at 10:10 am
such a sad flight for mother cat.. Hope proper authorities continues to educate citizens about Animal shelters.
Ruby Hawk
On August 26, 2010 at 11:04 pm
It is sad to see an animal put down even when it’s due to health reasons but especially a healthy one.
Raj the Tora
On August 27, 2010 at 8:53 pm
quite a touching story indeed.
E McFarland
On September 5, 2010 at 5:51 am
This synopsis is so very true. I raised and showed Persian and Himalayan cats, but worked extremely hard to teach people that first of all, kittens do not have an immune system strong enough to be taken away from their mothers until the mother decides to wean them, and that could be any where from 12 to 16 weeks. Just because the kitten was eating some kitten food, did not mean it was off the needed mothers milk.
Second, kittens may be cute, but they do not bond as quickly as an older kitten, and kittens actually do not become adults until over the age of 2. Older kittens and adult cats bond quicker as they realize faster what and who gives the care, so just because they are cute and cuddley does not mean they are ready to bond with a human. The best pet cats are age one and up, as they learn very quickly that the human nurishes them, gives them attention, and cares for their needs….if they are a responsible owner.
I personally think it is totally disgusting that people want to take a small kitten and then when it is older, either ignore it until it breeds, or they loose interest when the kitten antics seem to fade and it is much larger. Well guess what….if a person gives that cat love and atttention and plays with it, those kitten antics will lasts a life time. Even grown cats love to play, it just takes a smart human to figure that out.
I also agree that if a person is not showing to better the breed, spay or neuter the kitten at four to five months old. It prevents a lot of health problems and adds years to the cats life.
I really wonder how humans would feel if after they “had a child or fathered a child,” they were taken and put in cage and when no one wanted to spend time with them any longer they were stuck with needle and killed. In my opinion, what is right for the goose is right for the gander, so in other words, if a person is so irresponsible and will not do right by the creatures that God created for us to care for, (the animals being the goose in this instance), then the gander should suffer the same fate. Yes I am blunt, but this is a very sore point with me. The most blood thirsty, irresponsible creature that God created is human, not animal.