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Cat Forum / General Topics / March 2005Pet Not so Smart
One of the worst cases of mishandled customer I've had the displeasure to have in a long time. A friend of mine asked me to visit a store, to interview with a cat that needs a home. Many of you know the details, and so I won't repeat them here. It was a Petsmart, or maybe not so smart. I got there, and met the kitty, who wasn't in that great a mood. I talked with the placement person. In maybe four or five minutes, she decided they would not be able to place a cat with me. And she told me the reason. I left the store, and contacted the friends of mine who referred me. They told me that the store called her up, and told her the details. I won't go into it very much here, but the store folks asked if their cat was OK (implying that I am a person who hurts cats, and that somehow I went to their house and hurt thier cat). I'm offended on several levels. 1) No effort to discuss with me why they were concerned, and what they think I oughta do better. Just toss me aside like some kind of defective reject, that can't do any better. 2) When the store person told me why, she did not tell me the real concern. Read: lied to me. 3) Immediately, and probably before I was out the door, the store person is gossiping about me "hey, let me tell you what just happened, and why we can't send Chris home with a cat" and implying things about me "Oh, how about your cat, AAA and your cat BBB, are they ok?". I'm going to write to the Pet Not So Smart store, and also try to find the adress for the main HQ. I am very displeased with them.  SignatureChristopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org www.mormons.com just look in the paper, you can get a nice kitten for free. :One of the worst cases of mishandled customer I've had the displeasure to :have in a long time. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] :I'm going to write to the Pet Not So Smart store, and also try to find the :adress for the main HQ. I am very displeased with them. > A friend of mine asked me to visit a store, to interview with a cat that > needs a home. Many of you know the details, and so I won't repeat them here. > It was a Petsmart, or maybe not so smart. I would point the at our local Petsmart the store has a cat adoption center but it is NOT run by the store. The store provides the space, a cat shelter about 30 miles away staffs it with volunteers, and runs the adoption process. The store has no further involvement except to provide the space, heat, electricity, etc. So you're beef should not be with the store, it should be with the local animal shelter that administers the adoption center. That's what I'm told. An outside agency. SignatureChristopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org www.mormons.com Stormin Mormon wrote: > A friend of mine asked me to visit a store, to interview with a cat that > needs a home. Many of you know the details, and so I won't repeat them here. > It was a Petsmart, or maybe not so smart. I would point the at our local Petsmart the store has a cat adoption center but it is NOT run by the store. The store provides the space, a cat shelter about 30 miles away staffs it with volunteers, and runs the adoption process. The store has no further involvement except to provide the space, heat, electricity, etc. So you're beef should not be with the store, it should be with the local animal shelter that administers the adoption center. On Mon, 07 Mar 2005 03:06:29 GMT, "Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61-#spamblock*-@hotmail.com> > In maybe four or five minutes, she decided they >would not be able to place a cat with me. And she told me the reason. But you're not going to tell us the stated reason? That kind of makes me suspicious. Maybe stormin' mormon's don't make good cat companions. All the mormons I've known (like 3 of them) seemed nice enough, but they were a little weird. Not that there's anything wrong with being weird. I plead guilty to that too. >One of the worst cases of mishandled customer I've had the displeasure to >have in a long time. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >with the placement person. In maybe four or five minutes, she decided they >would not be able to place a cat with me. And she told me the reason. There are several reasons we will turn down an adopter. 1) They let their cats outside. 2) Shots on their other animals are not up-to-date. 3) Their vet gives them a bad reference, we call them. 4) A former animal died for a particular reason. Hit by car. Didn't get to a vet when ill. 5) They moved and left other cats behind. 6) Other members of the family don't want a cat or are allergic. 7) The other animals are nor neutered or spayed. 8) The dog is not on heartworm medication. 9) They are buying the cat as a gift for someone else. We prefer they give a gift certificate and let the new owner pick out their own animal. 10) They live in an apartment which forbids animals or haven't paid the pet deposit. We check. 10) The dog is a breed aggressive to cats or has killed a former cat. 11) The children in the family are too young to have a cat. They run at the cats or poke them with toys. They get scratched and the cat is returned. 12) They complain about the adoption fee, tell us they are too poor to afford it and we know the cat will probably never get checkups or medical attention if it becomes ill. 13) They are a college student who will probably abandon the cat at the end of the term. 14) The cat just doesn't seem the right one for these people. For instance a shy cat for a family with multiple animals. 15) They plan to declaw the cat. 16) They want a kitten and are gone all day. 17) A member of the family has hurt cats in the past. 18) They discipline their animals using violence or harsh chemicals. There are probably more reasons, but I can't think of them now. >I left the store, and contacted the friends of mine who referred me. They >told me that the store called her up, and told her the details. I won't go [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >2) When the store person told me why, she did not tell me the real concern. >Read: lied to me. We frequently do not tell the adopter why they were turned down, for a couple of reasons. One, theyfrequently make a loud screaming fuss in the store which upsets the customers. They've asked us not to do it. Two, they may go to another rescue group and lie once they know exactly why they were refused a cat. >3) Immediately, and probably before I was out the door, the store person is >gossiping about me "hey, let me tell you what just happened, and why we [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >I'm going to write to the Pet Not So Smart store, and also try to find the >adress for the main HQ. I am very displeased with them. It's not the store's responsibility to accept or deny. I am surprised they called your friend. We normally do not discuss it with store personnel. BarB >>One of the worst cases of mishandled customer I've had the displeasure >>to [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > 1) They let their cats outside. That in itself is not a good reason to refuse someone a cat. It all depends on the location. Here in the UK most cats go outside and I for one wouldn't have a cat if I couldn't let it out. The other reasons I broadly agree with except where noted. > 2) Shots on their other animals are not up-to-date. > 3) Their vet gives them a bad reference, we call them. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > the > cats or poke them with toys. They get scratched and the cat is returned. That is down to the individual family, surely..? Some young children will do this, some won't. Some cats like children, some don't. An individual assessment needs to be made here. > 12) They complain about the adoption fee, tell us they are too poor to > afford it and we know the cat will probably never get checkups or > medical > attention if it becomes ill. You *know* how..? Everyone I know complains about spending money, me included..! > 13) They are a college student who will probably abandon the cat at the > end > of the term. Why will they..? What's wrong with being a student..? Again an individual assessment is needed. > 14) The cat just doesn't seem the right one for these people. For > instance > a shy cat for a family with multiple animals. > 15) They plan to declaw the cat. AGREED 100%...!!! > 16) They want a kitten and are gone all day. > 17) A member of the family has hurt cats in the past. > 18) They discipline their animals using violence or harsh chemicals. > > There are probably more reasons, but I can't think of them now. It sounds to me like your heart is in the right place, but you seem very aggressive in the way you do things to me. Here in the UK we don't work like that. When someone comes to our shelter and is interested in a cat, they take a look at those we have there, if they want to ask questions about the cats someone is always on hand to answer them as best we can. We don't always know if a cat will react badly to children as we can only go by what information is given by the previous owner, if there was one. If the cat was brought in as a stray we obviously don't know anything about it. We *always* do a home visit before anyone is allowed to take a cat home. As many family members as possible are interviewed and a check is made on the facilities available - do they have a cat flap if they plan to allow the cat outside (this is not the no-no here that it seems to be in the US) etc. What is the garden and local area like and so on. We used to do a follow up visit after a month or so to see how the cat is settling down, but due to time and staffing constraints we now only do this for the "vulnerable" cats such as those who are deaf or are FIV+. Ivor >>>One of the worst cases of mishandled customer I've had the displeasure >>>to [quoted text clipped - 95 lines] > > Ivor Also find this one a bit weird: 9) They are buying the cat as a gift for someone else. We prefer they give a gift certificate and let the new owner pick out their own animal. Always thought buying an animal as a present was a big NO NO! Must say that it really upsets me to see soo many animals from shelters being overlooked for a long time and then having to be put in newspapers and on tv to find a home. Cant help thinking that people should go to a shelter and give all their details and have a pet chosen for them rather than people being able to just choose the cutest ones, So that the older ones never find homes. SignatureBadger Badger Badger [snip] > Must say that it really upsets me to see soo many animals from shelters > being overlooked for a long time and then having to be put in newspapers > and on tv to find a home. Cant help thinking that people should go to a > shelter and give all their details and have a pet chosen for them rather > than people being able to just choose the cutest ones, So that the older > ones never find homes. So true. We have a delightful 14-year-old old black & white lady in our shelter at the moment, who has been there for a year. People keep coming in asking about kittens and walk right past this beautiful old girl :-( I'd take her myself if only my own cat would let me..! Ivor > [snip] > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Ivor Who is the boss in your house? Tell your cart to adjust or else! (Just kidding) >> [snip] >> [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > (Just > kidding) Do you really need to ask that question..??!!! Cart..?! She'll love it when I tell her you called her that ;-)) Ivor >>> [snip] >>> [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Ivor My computer hates me. MLB I've renamed t his thread for you. No charge. Trimmed excess text, too. SignatureChristopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org www.mormons.com On Mon, 07 Mar 2005 20:52:26 +0000, Ivor Jones wrote: >> Who is the boss in your house? Tell your cart to adjust or else! >> (Just [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Ivor My computer hates me. MLB > Who is the boss in your house? My cats are. >> Who is the boss in your house? > My cats are. Of course. You know the old saying, dogs have masters, cats have staff..! Ivor Ivor Jones at ivor@despammed.invalid wrote on3/7/05 1:47 PM: > [snip] > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Ivor Sad that she is passed up, all right. But at least she has a home of sorts at the shelter. What a wonderful thing to have a country with only no-kill shelters. The US is far behind. SignatureDiana Portal To My Pages http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/r/drdrive/ >Ivor Jones at ivor@despammed.invalid wrote on3/7/05 1:47 PM: > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >at the shelter. What a wonderful thing to have a country with only no-kill >shelters. What would you suggest a shelter do when they get full? There are basically three options when you have more animals coming in then you have going out, once all available resources are taken 1) Euthanize (kill) the animals least likely to be adopted and/or taking the most resources. 2) Refuse to accept more animals. 3) Provide substandard conditions (lack of space, lack of attention or lack of food) Which of the three would you prefer? I'm not a pet shelter owner, but I can think of at least one other option. You have not set up a realistic list of choice. SignatureChristopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org www.mormons.com What would you suggest a shelter do when they get full? There are basically three options when you have more animals coming in then you have going out, once all available resources are taken 1) Euthanize (kill) the animals least likely to be adopted and/or taking the most resources. 2) Refuse to accept more animals. 3) Provide substandard conditions (lack of space, lack of attention or lack of food) Which of the three would you prefer? >I'm not a pet shelter owner, but I can think of at least one other option. >You have not set up a realistic list of choice. What other options are there? >>I'm not a pet shelter owner, but I can think of at least one other option. >>You have not set up a realistic list of choice. > > What other options are there? In England publicity usually helps! Local news programmes and papers! Also more education on neutering and responsible ownership helps to stop things from getting too bad in the first place. SignatureBadger Badger Badger >>>I'm not a pet shelter owner, but I can think of at least one other >>>option. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Also more education on neutering and responsible ownership helps to stop > things from getting too bad in the first place. Indeed. Take a look at the Cats Protection website www.cats.org.uk to see how we do things here. Ivor >>Ivor Jones at ivor@despammed.invalid wrote on3/7/05 1:47 PM: >> [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > What would you suggest a shelter do when they get full? We have a network of volunteers who foster cats in their homes as well as the shelters so we can usually find a space somewhere. > There are basically three options when you have more animals coming in > then you have going out, once all available resources are taken [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Which of the three would you prefer? Which would you prefer if you were the cat..? There's *always* a way. Ivor Dave at somecalgaryguy@gmail.com wrote on3/7/05 8:15 PM: >> Ivor Jones at ivor@despammed.invalid wrote on3/7/05 1:47 PM: >> [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > Which of the three would you prefer? Objection! Counsel is attempting to lead the witness. How about putting Ivor on the stand and finding out how they make their no-kill system work? Perhaps it's number 4 or 5. Might even be both. SignatureDiana Portal To My Pages http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/r/drdrive/ > Dave at somecalgaryguy@gmail.com wrote on3/7/05 8:15 PM: > [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > work? > Perhaps it's number 4 or 5. Might even be both. Like I said, we have a large network of volunteer groups who work independently of the shelters. They take in cats and foster them just like you'd foster a child :-) We can usually find a space somewhere :-) Again, take a look at the CP website www.cats.org.uk for an overview. Please note that my views/comments are my own and should not be taken as the official policy or view of Cats Protection. Note that CP isn't the only charity concerned with cat rescue, there is of course the RSPCA (www.rspcs.org.uk). There is also the PDSA (www.pdsa.org.uk) but they are mainly concerned with the veterinary treatment of animals whose owners can't afford the fees. Ivor : [snip] : > Must say that it really upsets me to see soo many animals from shelters : > being overlooked for a long time and then having to be put in newspapers : > and on tv to find a home. Cant help thinking that people should go to a : > shelter and give all their details and have a pet chosen for them rather : > than people being able to just choose the cutest ones, So that the older : > ones never find homes. : So true. We have a delightful 14-year-old old black & white lady in our : shelter at the moment, who has been there for a year. People keep coming : in asking about kittens and walk right past this beautiful old girl :-( : I'd take her myself if only my own cat would let me..! I've had a number of cats over the year and only one came from a shelter and I got him last summer. I felt bad asking for a young kitten at first but even the workers at the shelter agreed with my reason. I had adopted another kitten a few weeks earlier (he was about seven weeks old when I got him) and was looking for a companion for him. SignatureKeep working millions on welfare depend on you ------------------- fwp@deepthought.com Buying a cat for a gift.... sounds like that nearly guarantees a mismatch. SignatureChristopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org www.mormons.com Also find this one a bit weird: 9) They are buying the cat as a gift for someone else. We prefer they give a gift certificate and let the new owner pick out their own animal. Always thought buying an animal as a present was a big NO NO! >Must say that it really upsets me to see soo many animals from shelters >being overlooked for a long time and then having to be put in newspapers >and on tv to find a home. Cant help thinking that people should go to a >shelter and give all their details and have a pet chosen for them rather >than people being able to just choose the cutest ones, So that the older >ones never find homes. I must say that you are getting very close to that Napolean complex here. Take me for instance, I was all set to purchase a pure breed of which I was going to spend about $800 get it shipped here via airplane, buy all accessories I don't own a cat now. All the proper veterinary care spaying nueturing etc so I am looking at probably $1500 when I hit the ground running. I wasn't afraid to spend the money but starting reading some newsgroups and I have decided to buy a cat from a shelter/rescue and probably give $400 to the shelter if I find a cat I like. And then you think you are going to tell me that YOU will decide which cat I am going to take...????.....I'm sure you can tell me lots of stories about bad owners and old cats that no one wanted but lets get serious here, it wouldn't take much for me to go back to my first plan if I ran into you at the shelter. I respect the work you do I really do thats part of the reason I decided to adopt to do a small part to help out myself but lets keep our feet on the ground here. Brad One has never lived till he has almost died.......life has a flavor the protected will never know. 335th Assault Helicopter Company Dong Tam Vietnam. I am proud to have served. > > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > I am proud to have served. Owning an animal of any kind should be about love. Not about how expensive or well bred it is. Most of the people in the shelters here, especially the cats protection league are experts in cats and would have a far better idea of which cat would suit your personal lifestyle. It's not about telling people what they should and should not have, its about what is ultimatly best for the animal and what home would suit THEM best. SignatureBadger Badger Badger [snip] > Owning an animal of any kind should be about love. Not about how > expensive or well bred it is. Most of the people in the shelters here, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > what is ultimatly best for the animal and what home would suit THEM > best. Precisely. When I first walked into the shelter where I now volunteer looking for a cat, I'd looked at three or four and then came to the next pen. The beautiful black and white girl who was there immediately jumped up, *ran* towards me meowing as if to say "take me home..!" and then she started purring, the loudest purr I'd ever heard..! She's been with me now for 2 years and she's taken over my life completely :-) Pictures of Missy at www.g6urp.co.uk/missys_page.htm - these are a little out of date but she's only grown more beautiful since then :-) If you're unfortunate enough to stumble across the picture of me on that site, I've grown uglier I'm afraid ;-) Ivor > [snip] > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Ivor Ivor, If she is more beautiful than that, it is a good thing that you are in the UK and I am in Canada.......You might have had some competion getting her. She is gorgeous!!! What a lucky little lady she is. I know that you both have and will continue to give eachother many years of love and joy. . > Pictures of Missy at www.g6urp.co.uk/missys_page.htm - these are a little > out of date but she's only grown more beautiful since then :-) If you're > unfortunate enough to stumble across the picture of me on that site, I've > grown uglier I'm afraid ;-) Ivor She's beautiful!!!! Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs >> >> [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] >not about telling people what they should and should not have, its about >what is ultimatly best for the animal and what home would suit THEM best. I hope you don't turn a lot of people off with that attitude no its not about the money thats why I want to give what I feel is a generous donation for an adopted cat but I would still not let you decide which cat I take home have you ever heard the term "you cant see the forest for the trees" Again I don't want to argue with you because I respect what you do and the amount of your personal time you spend for the long term good of these animals but I will not allow you to take this cat that is laying all over my lap for that old gray thats cowering back in the corner no matter how much that cat needs a home. Nuff said on my part. Brad LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL-PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING... " HOLY @#$%... WHAT A RIDE!" >>>>Must say that it really upsets me to see soo many animals from shelters >>>>being overlooked for a long time and then having to be put in newspapers [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > I hope you don't turn a lot of people off with that attitude Does that mean you don't think owning an animal should be about love and what is best for them? no its > not about the money thats why I want to give what I feel is a generous > donation for an adopted cat but I would still not let you decide which [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > cat that is laying all over my lap for that old gray thats cowering > back in the corner no matter how much that cat needs a home. Nobody would take that cat away from you, I was just trying to point out that looks can be decieving. That cat could have been scared and could have been just as loyal and loving lap cat as the one you have now. So are you gonna tell us all about your new kitty? :-) > Nuff said on my part. > Brad > > LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A > WELL-PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, > SHOUTING... " HOLY @#$%... WHAT A RIDE!" SignatureBadger Badger Badger >So are you gonna tell us all about your new kitty? :-) Actually I am kittiless still at this point I'm going on a rare vacation in april so I figured it best to wait till I get back. I'm having fun right now just soaking it all in and learning as much as I can. Brad LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL-PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING... " HOLY @#$%... WHAT A RIDE!" > > 13) They are a college student who will probably abandon the cat at the > > end > > of the term. > > Why will they..? What's wrong with being a student..? Again an individual > assessment is needed. Agreed. A friend of mine adopted a kitten as a student and when he moved at the end of term it would have been unthinkable not to bring out the cat carrier and take the cat! That cat got used to moving house over the next few years several times and lived to be 18 and a much loved pet by which time his slave had long since outlived his student days Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs Gosh as a college student an abandoned kitten showed up on our apt door step. Shiloh Mar Stiggins Fox (Shiloh for short) lived with me for 17 years. Not all college students are irresponsible. > >One of the worst cases of mishandled customer I've had the displeasure to > >have in a long time. [quoted text clipped - 71 lines] > > BarB > There are several reasons we will turn down an adopter. > > 1) They let their cats outside. Around here lots of cats/dogs and other animals die early because they are hit by cars, wild animals, etc. > 2) Shots on their other animals are not up-to-date. Around here if the cat doesn't have up to date shots it is illegal, against the law. > 5) They moved and left other cats behind. You'd be amazed at how often this happens around here. > 9) They are buying the cat as a gift for someone else. We prefer they give > a gift certificate and let the new owner pick out their own animal. Around here lots of cats are surrendered after Christmas, Rabbits after easter, etc. > 10) They live in an apartment which forbids animals or haven't paid the pet > deposit. We check. Around here the #1 reason why a cat is surrendered is they landlord doesn't allow pets. > 12) They complain about the adoption fee, tell us they are too poor to > afford it and we know the cat will probably never get checkups or medical > attention if it becomes ill. I spend on average more than $7,000 over the lifetime of a cat. Not being able to afford the adoptin fee is one thing, complaining about is another. I would also point out around here the adoption fee incudes the spay/nueter of the cat. The bottom line: the shelter can set their own rules on who they let adopt. Don't like it? Go to another shelter. >The bottom line: the shelter can set their own rules on >who they let adopt. Don't like it? Go to another shelter. Yes and no. While I agree, I also don't want to hear any stats from that shelter about how many animals they're euthanizing because they won't give a cat to a college student. > Yes and no. While I agree, I also don't want to hear any stats from > that shelter about how many animals they're euthanizing because they > won't give a cat to a college student. Let me put it this way: I attended college a number of years ago, I wouldn't trust any pet to many of the people I knew at college. First and foremost many dorms and apartments don't allow pets. Also many of the people I knew at college couldn't afford to feed themselves, much less a cat. Also i'm glad many of the people I knew at college could not have pets, otherwise they would have contests to see how much beer their cat can drink. > Also i'm glad many of the people I knew at college could > not have pets, otherwise they would have contests to see > how much beer their cat can drink. I tried that. My cat drank me under the table. When I woke up, my wallet was empty and the living room was full of cat toys. > Yes and no. While I agree, I also don't want to hear any stats from > that shelter about how many animals they're euthanizing because they > won't give a cat to a college student. Let me put it this way.....when I went to college 99 out of 100 of my classmates I wouldn't trust them with a any live animal at all. Very few college students are mature enough to be trusted with a live animal. A college student gets completey sloshed on beers and you're going to tell me that student is in any position to take care of a live animal? And don't tell me alot of students in college don't drink. I went to college, lived in the dorms and ran many of those beer blasts over in the student union. >>Yes and no. While I agree, I also don't want to hear any stats from >>that shelter about how many animals they're euthanizing because they [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > I went to college, lived in the dorms and ran many of those > beer blasts over in the student union. Yes, some college students take an active role in the beer blasts that go on in the colleges. However, it is not fair to discriminate against all college students just because some of them do drink. I have met some very responsible college students who would make terrific pet owners. (Probably better than some "adults" that I know). Just because one is a college student, does not mean that they are incapable of providing a loving home and companionship to a worthy pet. Just because they are a college student, does not mean that they can not afford to provide proper veterinary care to aforementioned pet(s). I think that if a college student can prove themselves worthy of being a responsible pet owner, then they should be allowed to have said pet. >>>Yes and no. While I agree, I also don't want to hear any stats from >>>that shelter about how many animals they're euthanizing because they [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > college student can prove themselves worthy of being a responsible pet > owner, then they should be allowed to have said pet. As I have said several times before in this thread (does nobody *read* what they are replying to..?) the way to go is *individual* home visits and assessments of *everyone* who wants to adopt. You will find that most of those who do home visits/assessments have a "knack" for determining who is and who isn't suitable to adopt a cat. They wouldn't last long in the job if they didn't. Refusing someone point blank just because they let cats out or are a student is discrimination pure and simple and needs to be stamped out. Once more, assess the individual *INDIVIDUALLY* !!!!!!!!! Ivor > Yes, some college students take an active role in the beer blasts that > go on in the colleges. However, it is not fair to discriminate against > all college students just because some of them do drink. I ran beer blasts at our college, I can count on maybe one finger the number of students who didn't drink. They may tell their parents they don't drink but you know what? They do drink. > (Probably better than some "adults" that I know). Just because one is a > college student, does not mean that they are incapable of providing a > loving home and companionship to a worthy pet. And many of the college students I knew couldn't afford $1.00 for the subway home or $1.00 to get something to eat, much less feed a cat. Just because they are a > college student, does not mean that they can not afford to provide > proper veterinary care to aforementioned pet(s). I think that if a > college student can prove themselves worthy of being a responsible pet > owner, then they should be allowed to have said pet. Many of the college students I knew when I went to college couldn't afford to take themselves to a doctor. The only reason they could see a doctor is because health insurance was tacked onto the tuition bill. I attended college, i'd be the first to admit many college students have no business owning anything living. This was from a large urban college in a big city with thousands of students. I would add as an example of how mature some of thsee college students are, I had a room mate who couldn't have a pet in the buidling, so he collected roaches in a large jar. By the end of the term, it was full. : > Yes and no. While I agree, I also don't want to hear any stats from : > that shelter about how many animals they're euthanizing because they [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] : with a any live animal at all. Very few college students : are mature enough to be trusted with a live animal. : A college student gets completey sloshed on beers : and you're going to tell me that student is in any : position to take care of a live animal? : And don't tell me alot of students in college don't drink. : I went to college, lived in the dorms and ran many of those : beer blasts over in the student union. I had a cat while I was going to college and it often ate better then I did. SignatureKeep working millions on welfare depend on you ------------------- fwp@deepthought.com >: > Yes and no. While I agree, I also don't want to hear any stats from >: > that shelter about how many animals they're euthanizing because they [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >I had a cat while I was going to college and it often ate better >then I did. Feeding them is not usually the problem rescue groups have with college students. Their lives are in a state of flux. They get new roommates, they graduate, they move, they marry, they have children. Any of these people may be allergic or hate cats. Every summer there are homeless cats roaming campuses. You would be surprised how many people tell us, and not just college students, that " I'm moving" is a perfectly acceptable excuse for dumping a cat. Asked what their plans are if they have a child, it's "find a new home for the cat". That's one reason we don't tell the adopter exactly why they were turned down; then they know what not to say to the next rescue group. We also exchange DNA ( do not adopt) information with the hundreds of other rescue groups in our area. We have adopted to college students who are living at home and have a parent who will accept the cat in the future. One of our requirements is that all the family members in the house must want the cat. BarB >>: > Yes and no. While I agree, I also don't want to hear any stats from >>: > that shelter about how many animals they're euthanizing because they [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >>I had a cat while I was going to college and it often ate better >>then I did. Most people live like this! Money is often tight in my house but the animals and children ALWAYS come first. > > Feeding them is not usually the problem rescue groups have with > college students. Their lives are in a state of flux. They get new > roommates, they graduate, they move, they marry, they have children. > Any of these people may be allergic or hate cats. Every summer there > are homeless cats roaming campuses. Any person can have people come to live with them, can get new jobs, can marry, can have children and any of them could be alergic to cats, homeless cats can also be found in the any area even the posh ones!!! While I completely understand your worries it does strike me that you are completely sterotyping a certain group of people to all be cruel to cats. Each person should be viewed individually. > You would be surprised how many people tell us, and not just college > students, that " I'm moving" is a perfectly acceptable excuse for [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > say to the next rescue group. We also exchange DNA ( do not adopt) > information with the hundreds of other rescue groups in our area. Does this information follow them for life? 99%of people grow up and change. > We have adopted to college students who are living at home and have a > parent who will accept the cat in the future. One of our requirements > is that all the family members in the house must want the cat. Totally agree with this point. > BarB SignatureBadger Badger Badger > >>I had a cat while I was going to college and it often ate better > >>then I did. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > > > To me that's the definition of a true cat lover! Recently I was chatting to a colleague at work and somehow the topic of hard times came up and I was telling her about when me and the SO both got made redundant at the same time and due to an administrative mess up, we had virtually nothing and I said "It was pretty hard going after we'd paid for the cat food.." She looked pretty horrified and said she wouldn't have thought of feeding the cat first. she'd have fed herself and worried about the cat not at all ("I'd give it to a home" she said) and I end up trying to explain that as far as I am concerned when you give a home to a cat you make a promise that it will never be hungry, thirsty, cold etc etc. After all it isn't the cats fault that you've lost your job so why should it suffer whether it's your fault or not? Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs >>>> I had a cat while I was going to college and it often ate better >>>> then I did. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Slave of the Fabulous Furballs Well said, Lesley - you are a true cat person :-) Me, I'm suspicious of anyone that refers to a cat (or any other species come to that) as an "it"... Ivor She did not understand that to us our cats are like children and what mother would let their child go hungry. We have two indoor cats and a stray that we feed even though our income dropped drastically after I left my job. But they all eat better than us. > > >>I had a cat while I was going to college and it often ate better > > >>then I did. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Slave of the Fabulous Furballs . > A college student gets completey sloshed on beers And what about those of us who in later years have been known to imbibe? No-one is saying anyone who drinks alcohol is not fit to have a cat are they? Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs (Who do you think drove me to drink?) |
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