I had meant to post some pictures for you all, but have been failing miserably as a photographer. Not a good shot anywhere, I do not have, sadly, that skill. But I will keep trying.
I do have something to say, though, if you will permit me a moment on my soapbox.
I received an e-mail this morning from someone in my Foster Kitty Group, passing on a, surely well intentioned, but completely idiotic e-mail, urging people to boycott PETCO because they support California’s mandatory spay/neuter law that is going into effect soon.
HELLO?! Can we get every state on board? YES, make some laws. Good first step. Something needs to be done about the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of un-wanted animals being killed each year, because They Do Not Have Homes. Applaud PetCo. And anyone else who is standing up and saying this has to stop.
Letters , like the one I was sent are simply incorrect and ignorant, and do more harm than good. Responsible pet owners will always be able to have litters if they want them.
It really made me angry. I want to scream and shout from the walls. Here is what I have to say….At the top of my voice.
Love and Spay/Neuter Your Pets,
Lorraine
Hello All,
I have to respond to this….
Something as simplistic as saying ” Boycott Petco, they support this ” does as little as saying ” If we have this mandatory Spay/neuter law, it will solve the problems. “
Obviously, we here , as Foster Parents for Kitties, are responsible to our pets, and doing more by taking care of Kitties that need homes. Most of you, like myself, probably also spend time at your local shelter.
I believe this law is a good first step, but we need more. I spend a lot of time in Los Angeles, and have been to shelters there. Not hundreds, and not thousands, but HUNDREDS of thousands of pets are being killed each year because there are no homes for them. If this law helps in any way, it will be worth it. Here in the country where I live, we have a no kill shelter that has 138 cats waiting. In big cities, shelters cannot, in any way, meet the demand.
(also here in the country, the prevailing thought seems to be “well, college is over for the year, can’t take kitty home, or wow she just had more babies, can’t find homes, well, no problem, we can just take them to the country and let them go and they can live on a farm.” Hi people. Would you like a number on the cats I have taken in, fed, found homes for who have showed up starving on my doorstep? Yeah. I’m angry about people not getting pets fixed.)
Remember when re-cycling started? Not a lot of people did it. But now, how weird would it be not to? Same with Spay/Neuter, if it can be an automatic, well yes, have to get them fixed, and that becomes the norm, then so very many animals will be saved. There will be people who don’t, as in re-cycling, but that number will become far less.
I have been following this debate for some time, and I know the criticisms , I do not believe it will discourage people from helping strays. The Pet Police are not going to come down on someone trying to help feral cats. I do not believe it will discourage people from getting a pet, because they can’t afford to get it fixed. I think it will make them think, well yes we can get it, and we will have to get it fixed. If people don’t realize that PETS COST MONEY they need to.
And there are a LOT of places that will help you acquire an animal that is fixed.
As far as the government interfering in our lives, well it is the sort of law that if you are doing the right thing, it will not effect you. But far, far too many people are not doing the right thing, and animals are breeding out of control. The government NEEDS to help out here, because we, and all of the people working to save animals lives each year, CANNOT do it alone.
The money from fines is being sent straight back into programs with shelters, and rescue, and to fund low cost spay/neuter programs.
Did anyone see the ELLEN show where she had Paris Hilton on? Paris mentioned she had 37 dogs, and Ellen, said, simply WHY? And Paris answered ” They keep having Babies…” It was the only time I have ever seen Ellen unable to speak or have anything to say. When she recovered, she said ” PARIS, you HAVE to get your pets fixed.”
People have to get their pets fixed. And they are not.
Best, Lorraine