All the Reasons Why [Cat Shelter Volunteer]

[SongDragon]

Many of you know I volunteer at a local shelter. I'm usually there Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, three to five (or one to three on Saturday). Some of the best friends I have made are other shelter volunteers. Yet there are so many reasons that shelter working just isn't good for me (not that I'd ever stop doing it, anyway).

One of those reasons came up today. As I may have mentioned before every now and then an illness runs through the shelter, and it's really difficult to keep it contained across so many cats with so many different volunteers coming in at different shifts. Well, another one hit, but it's much worse than the one we had last year (last year just about everyone had ring worm, which was a pain since humans can catch it, too).

Usually I'll come in a bit early, note if any of the Quarantine cats made it out front, throw my sweater in the back (Quarantine), and have a look and see if there are any cats that are new or came over from Surgery side (they're over there if they still need to be spayed/vaccinated/screened). Another thing I look for, but never want to see, is an empty cage in the back when I know no one has been moved out front. Well, already this week (when I came in on Thursday) one of the fluffballs (they didn't have names yet) was gone. But today I came in and the first thing I saw was several people, and the bottom cage (where the fluffballs and their mother always were) empty.

With complete dread that I knew the answer, I asked. And yes, apparently they had to be put down. Then I turned to the other cages. Apparently the case was not isolated. Four other kittens, that were a handful, but I was looking forward to seeing them out front, were also missing. The only kitten from back there that wasn't "missing" was Ace, and we're worried enough about him as it is, because he's not eating (he'll leave it all for Mom and try to get someone to try to take him out of his cage--he's no more than a handfull and he should be growing like a weed at this point).

They checked everyone else, but right now all look clear for the disease. But we're scared. At one point we had to shut down the shelter last year to visitors to get rid of the ring worm (so that it all became quarantine), but this isn't just a fungus that gives cats funny, itchy spots, this is deadly. No more fluffballs or Mama, and none of the three black and white, and one gray, kittens were spared. I'm such a wreck when these things happened. I tried not to cry, fought it for twenty minutes, but then when one of the other volunteers came in and I tried to explain what was going on all my control shattered. RIP little kitties.

As ever I'm grateful to my other friends that I volunteer with, because they cheered me up and made me laugh again, even though I had the horrible task of cleaning out all those empty cages with bleach water, as hot as I could hand it. I didn't want either of them to touch them and even risk bringing it back to their cats.

~SongDragon

[coffeegyrl]

What you are doing is important even if it rips your heart out. Think about the cats you save that get placed in loving homes. That is what makes it worthwhile.

[Peppermint]

I'm sorry Song. I wish I could be there to give you a huge hug. But you're wonderful with those cats (well, any cats really) and they need you. (((Song))) Hope things improve soon.

[hoops]

song,
you are an angel to all those kitties, they are very lucky to have you. someone who cares enough to miss them when they are not there, and to hope for them whene they are. so many go on to live happy lives in wonderful homes with people who let their kitties own them ( as it should be ). not a lot of people could do what you do. you have a gift.
peace
hoops

[aabram]

These cats are lucky to have you, Song. Don't you just want to take them ALL home????? :p

Annabel

[Bat]

Do they know what it is that is so deadly to the little denizens? I sure hope you have been able to nip it in the bud, but one can only mourn for those whose fortunes came too late to help. Sorry as I can be, as I know what it is to mourn a cat...it's bad enough one at a time, let alone a whole litter! Ouch.
It might not be a bad idea to completely sterilize all their little environments to ease the viral/germ load.

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Dear Song...

If just more people found the need to shed a tear for a kitten or offered their time, energy and soul with the only reward being to feel that you had given of yourself this world would be a far better place...

Song, Betty and I are far beyond impressed with you as a young person and a human being... You are a truely compassionate person and that makes you so special and elite in your own rite... It dosen't matter who else knows it but always remember when you start to feel you could have done more that you did what you could... And you gave unselfishly of yourself.... Yes Song, Betty and I will share a tear for those kittens, As will Betty's son Whitney who is a veterinarion but all of those kittens and other critters are blessed to have you and the other VOLUNTEERS that really do care and offer their dedicated service just to make it a better world....

Yes we will share a tear with you as will many if not all from this board, but you do us all proud through your service... Your a very special person Song... Thank you...

Best to you & Caroline and your Dad and whomever it was he spent his time talking on the cellphone to at the picnic... ;) And absolutely to the rest of your family... You represent them all well and you know it's obvious that you've been brought up in a wonderful home...

R. from Pa...

RIP Dear Kittens...

[hoops]

Song,
Tracy and i went to walmart ( yes i know, but this is a good story). when we arrived, there was a group of people huddled on the walk way. as we got closer we saw what the muddle was about. someone had a box of puppies, lab and boxer mix, and was selling them. OMG they were so adorable, Tracy and i just had to hold one. by the time we got there all six of them were sold and waiting to be taken home. they were gorgeous! Tracy wanted to buy me one, she also wants to buy me a kitten. she knows how much i love animals, especially the lost and left behind, and she loves them too. why do i tell you this? because i thought of you taking care of all of those lucky kitties who, while they are in your care, are loved unconditionally, much like these puppies will be. not all animals have this opportunity. many are so abused, they never know love in their lives. many die lost as babies in the woods somewhere, or in a bag, in the trash (sickening I know). but your kitties get your love all the while they are with you, and even if that is for just a few short days, it is love and more love than many ever get. I bow to you for your heart and your spirit. those little kitties are so very lucky to have you.
peace
hoops

[Judy]

Song, I admire you for having the courage to work at an animal shelter - I really do because I wouldn't have the guts.

Most shelters are plagued with ongoing infections, diseases, etc. When you adopt from our local shelter, you do so knowing there are great odd that your animal is going to develop some kind of respiratory problem...usually kennel cough. Two years ago I adopted a cat who had been brought in that morning & I sprung her that afternoon and she still came up with a cough. When I asked my vet if he thought the cat had arrived with the problem the answer was "a cat or dog is so suspectable to respiratory infections that you could bring in your perfectly healthy dog (who hadn't been vaccinated for kennel cough), walk her down the hall where the kennels are and back, and your dog would very likely develop an infection."

And because all of these things are a reality, people like me take the easy way out and hand over donations to shelters and people like you do the really hard work in loving the animals, caring for them, cheering with the success stories and crying when all is lost. You have my respect, Song.

[aabram]

When I first adopted two cats many years ago from Lothian Cat Rescue, they had a raging ear mite infection which took months, if not YEARS to clear up. That and the inevitable fleas led me to the vet at the earliest opportunity. Cherry and Bess were two sweet cats found on a building site, unloved and uncared for. I immediately fell in love with them, and it was natural to take them home. This is what started it for me and now Misty is the apple of my eye, with "Uncle Soo" and her grandson (Peep) makes up the Trio, along with Simba (just to annoy them and to make life fun for them, you understand :rolleyes: ) makes up the happy brood. Of course, you guessed it, Misty rules the home!!!! None of mine now came from a pet shelter, all were passed on from friends which has taken care of the ear mite, and the fleas, well that's ongoing now but under control.

Song, to see kittens die every day must be heart rending. The only 2 that didn't make it of Misty's weren't meant to be, but nevertheless, that was bad enough. What you go through everyday for these cats makes you a special person, caring for these little ones as I know you do. That you have to bear the thick end of the wedge and do all the crying for us and for them makes me proud of your contribution to animals. Working in the Advocates for Animals office is all very well (well, SOMEONE has to do the paperwork :rolleyes: That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!) but to be with the cats must be such an amazing experience. When they find homes, I bet that really makes you so happy. Taking the bad with the good, though, now that really takes courage.

I take my hat off to youi.

Annabel

[SongDragon]

Thanks everyone. I spent the entire weekend, except for sleeping, out of my room, so that I couldn't think about it. Did nothing for my workload, but did wonders for my peace of mind.

It's odd, unless it's feline leukemia we usually don't lose anyone. Every now and then we get colds, but just sneezing and so forth, and even so they're back in quarantine as soon as they get the sniffles. Most of our cats are very healthy and very annoyed at being in a kennel if someone else is on the floor. It's also a small shelter, and the most I've been there with was sixty-four cats (this place should hold about thirty). The biggest problems we have, usually, is kittens not eating because they would rather be taken out, a runny nose, or keeping the non-quarantine cats from running into the quarantine area.

I love working there most of the time. I get to play with everyone, and unless tragedy strikes it's a fairly steady flow from vet side (if new/unspayed/unvaccinated), to quarantine, to the front. I can name most of the ones we lost. Oh well, thank you everyone. I'm feeling better, now.

Bat, yes, they know what the disease is, I just can't remember the name.

~Song

[dragonlady]

My dragon friend...you have such a big heart for animals...i'm sorry that you had such a hard loss recently at the shelter...but those kitties had you for the time they were here...that was a good and special thing. Keep on doing what you are doing for those of us who simply can't handle the emotions of what you do. I'll keep adopting from a shelter when I take in new babies...but I couldnt volunteer regularly like you do...

-di

[aabram]

Bat, yes, they know what the disease is, I just can't remember the name.

~Song

I think we would all be interested in that if you could find that out for us, Song. Perhaps we might be able to help suggest ways of stopping any more of them dying needlessly.

Annabel