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Last week I broke the news about a sweet Mama cat and her two kittens who were one of many facing euthanasia at Henry County Animal Care & Control in Georgia. This came just a day after the joy of knowing we broke about 20 cats and kittens out of the same shelter. For some, it was literally a few hours before their time was up.
I asked for help for Angel Mama, knowing my resources for a foster placement are few and booked up with the first batch of Henry cats. There are lots of other rescue groups and families who could have offered to take them, but no one stepped forward. It weighed heavily on me, but I know there are lots of reasons why no one comes forward. One being the obvious problems with lack of open shelter space, donations are down from the poor economy, the difficulty rescue groups have placing adult cats vs. kittens. Yes, I get it, but I don't want to tell myself that it's okay for these kitties to die because of this or that excuse...it's just not right.
Then I thought about the numbers again; 300-500 animals are KILLED every MONTH at just Henry, alone. To me these are not only staggering statistics, they are immoral, wrong, atrocious. Then I found out that GA kills MORE animals than the ENTIRE United Kingdom every year! It was then I realized that I have to try to find a way to fix this terrible situation. I can't live knowing this is going on. I can't turn my back on it and I won't. I need to dig in and get some answers and find a solution. No more death. This is so wrong.
Yesterday I heard that 48 cats were at risk of being put down at Spaulding, in GA. By now they may all be dead. Maybe a few escaped to rescue groups. Maybe a few were given another day or two. I don't know any more than that. What I do know is bad enough. Who the HELL can put these animals down? How do they wake up it the morning and look themselves in the mirror? I know they are struggling, but why do they accept that this is the solution. I know. I am not walking in their shoes. I couldn't. I hope, that if they want help, they will reach out. We want to help them, but we need to find a way that respects both the people involved, as well as the animals.
Up until last night, I figured this post was going to be a memorial to the 48 cats at Spaulding and this lovely cat and her curiously marked offspring. They would fade into memory as just being another statistic. Three more cats who will never have a chance at a decent life because whoever cared for this mama, did not bother to have her spayed and chose to give her up to a place knowing she would be put down. I have no compassion for these people. I need to find it, but right now, I can't. There are so may programs and vouchers and Vets-for animals to not be spayed or neutered in this day and age is a shock to me. Do we live in a third world country?
Who, in their right mind, thinks it's still "cute" for the family pet to have a litter of kittens or puppies just to show their own children "the miracle of birth;" not taking into consideration the ripple effect of having more intact animals who will continue to multiply? I'm sick. I'm really pissed. Who, in their right mind doesn't know there is a SERIOUS problem with companion animal overpopulation? How many stories, like this, have to be told before everyone gets it?
There are kitties who died today and others that will die tomorrow. I ask that you consider finding a place in your heart to take a moment and think of them. Say a prayer or just think good thoughts so that somehow their short lives will have had some meaning. Somewhere maybe you could think about opening up your home to a shelter cat some day, like the ones here, so they don't need to be a statistic, too.
So what of this mama cat? Some will call it a miracle. I might be inclined to agree. Yesterday, a Vet who does S/N for one of the shelters, rescued this family! I don't have much more information on them, but I feel a great sense of relief. At least this family didn't have to die, too. At least this family will know a loving home, one day and this little family will get to have a happy ending, instead of just...an ending.
Comments
What the HELL is going on in Georgia???
Thanks for this post Robin. I just don't understand what the hell is going on in Georgia?
Why aren't people spaying and neutering? Why does Georgia kill so many animals?
Is it poverty? Education? I am sure it is both. There has to be community programs that
educate pet owners and offer clinics every week! Oddly enough my brother went
to Vet School in Georgia and is now a Surgeon in NJ. As a Vet he is eternally frustrated by
people's lack of commitment to caring for their animals. I sent money to Georgia, but obviously
it wasn't enough to make a dent. There has to be programs of education in the community,
and obviously that is NOT happening in Georgia. The SPCA should be using some funds or campaigning
for donations so that this state can not be the cat and dog murder capital of the US?
I would give to a campaign that funded such a program without hesitation.
If you here anything or a way that money could be directly channeled to this
please let us know.
Thank you again for all the hard work that you do!
We are with you.
I had tears in my eyes
I had tears in my eyes reading this...
How can people be so selfish?? It's hard to sleep at night knowing that so many dogs and cats are killed every day and no one seems to care. It seems like no matter how much you try to do, it's never enough.
At least that mama cat and her two babies were saved...
How to take Action
Hi Sunnys Mom,
Well said. There's a foundation called Maddie's Fund. I'm going to be writing about them fairly soon. They provide grants to groups who are interested in setting up programs to help turn Kill Shelters into No-Kill. From what little I know, they are founded by the man who started the No-Kill movement and have excellent financial backing. There is a group of rescuers interested in finding a way to begin this work in GA.
When we get things worked out...which will be awhile, I will post some articles on how you can help us. We're willing to do the work. We are probably going to need others to pitch in in other ways that they are comfortable with. I'd rather not constantly ask for donations for this and that litter...I'd rather just go for the big solution and work to end this great shame.
I'm not sure, but I don't believe Kill Shelters are a concern of SPCA. Don't they deal with cruelty cases? I also read somewhere that they actually have the highest percentage of euthanasia rates of all the big shelters-at 75%. I need to verify this, but if it's true...again...shame shame shame. Hope someone can shed some light on this statistic.
:-(
Count me in
I volunteer for a no-kill shelter in Georgia. I'm speaking only as a volunteer and no someone with any authority to speak for the shelter. However, I have some ideas on how the shelter can do more. (In our defense we do work with kill shelters in Heard and Paulding counties. I feel a little bit like I have to defend those of us who are in the state.)
Barring that, just tell me how I as an individual can help. I know applying for a Maddie's Fund is a lot of work.
You are so right, Robin!
When I read some of your posts I despair, thinking of all those hundreds of lives cut short (no, CATS KILLED) and how of few make it out, despite the heroic and fanstastic efforts of you and all the other people who work so hard. How can these places be called 'shelters'? I am trying hard not to draw very nasty comparisons, but there is no shelter, no haven there for most - just death because they don't happen to fit in with a certain human concept of what is acceptable.
Is some of the problem with the legislation in force? It sounds as if there are considerable barriers stacked up which in themselves prevent many adoptions and rescues and tend to maximise the killing, rather than minimise it. Might legislative change be one (of many) ways to start to address this shameful situation?
Yes...Legislation
Legislation is part of the solution, part is the fight to get the public to Spay & Neuter their pets!! In some parts of the USA, the message is working, in others, I hear the south is the worst, but cannot verify just now, but they just don't take it seriously enough. Also, S/N's are too expensive ...there are voucher programs, not enough, but the mindset needs to change. Vets need to drop their crazy prices and realize that if they get an animal in, lose money on a spay, they GAIN a client for lifetime...so what's the problem? They can make up for it on yearly exams or whatever, but NOT the most important thing. If S/N's were $25, most people could do it and the ones who can't, we could easily ramp up programs for them.
The problem is HUGE and there are LOTS of people working on fixing it-every one a fighter, every one committed and my hat is off to them. I hope to join their ranks more seriously soon, as I jump in to try to make a change, too.
I love your comment about shelters being mis-named.
:-)
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