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Summer Issue 2003
Tributes
A they say, one picture is worth a thousand words, and the picture of this cat spoke volumes. As you can plainly see, this poor cat was not what the average individual would consider pretty, let alone consider adopting. She was emaciated, had an injured eye, and she had hairless patches all over her body, almost as if she might have been burned or had some chemical thrown on her. In the shape she was in it was hard to believe she was still alive.
The cat was a stray that Carol Migalski had seen in the area for awhile, and she had become very worried over the cat's worsening condition. After several days, Carol was fortunate enough to capture the cat, and have her brought to TLC, where she could get the care she needed.
We took the cat to Animal Care Clinic of Homer Glen where she was treated by Dr. Robbins, and between the medical care she received from Dr. Robbins, and the care the Shelter staff gave her, she was beginning to improve. We all felt in a few more weeks she would be ready to find a good home. It was at this point in time I asked Sandi O'Brien to include the picture of the cat on the website. Sandi agreed and said the cat needed a name so she called her Phoenix which seemed apropos. Sandi also included a warning for those who chose not to view this picture.
What we weren't prepared for were the comments one person made who was appalled at what they saw, chiding us for having used bad judgement for including Phoenix's picture in with those of the other animals awaiting adoption at the Shelter. The party said, "How necessary was it to put a picture of that injured cat on the TLC website? That picture I am sure is not helping that cat get adopted any quicker. Here, kitty, we know you look like Hell and are about to croak so smile for the camera." That's how the controversy began. We did not do this to exploit the cat, or try to shock people, this was not done with any malicious intent.
I will admit whenever I looked at Phoenix it disturbed me too, but for an entirely different reason. I was upset thinking about what this cat must have gone through. I wanted people to see what we deal with at the Shelter, the sadness, the anger, the frustration we feel when we see animals in this horrendous condition. Cruelty has no boundaries, this cat was found in beautiful suburbia, where things like this are not supposed to happen, but they do.
Our motive for letting people see Phoenix was multi-purpose. First, we hoped that someone viewing Phoenix's picture and watching her progress, might decide they would like to adopt her and give her a good home with all the love she deserved. Secondly we hoped that folks viewing the picture would see what can happen to dogs and cats left to roam. The perils that can befall cats and dogs that are allowed to roam are too numerous to mention. I also wanted to make those that are unaware, some of the hardships these animals have gone through.
I was glad that person felt compelled to state how they felt, and hoped it touched others too. The vast majority of people were in favor of including pictures like this on the Shelter's website and here are a few of the comments they made:
"I find nothing offensive about showing the state of some of the kitties that end up in shelters."
"I was shocked to see such a picture, however, I think these types of pictures need to be viewed. Words don't really sink in like a picture."
"I made myself view (very briefly) the horrendous picture of the cat. To not view it would have somehow been avoiding the problem of all abused, abandoned and injured animals."
"If this motivates one person to be a responsible pet owner and care decently and humanely for an animal, then you've accomplished much."
We are saddened to say Phoenix's story did not have a happy ending. Unfortunately the poor little cat's health took an abrupt turn for the worse, and she was once again rushed in to see Dr. Robbins who deemed it best that Phoenix be euthanized. He gently put an end to her suffering, she would never feel pain or abuse again.
I am sorry that this was not a happy ending, but she deserves to have her story told, and though the sight of her picture is disturbing, we believe it is a picture that needs to be seen, and perhaps save another animal's life.
We also wish to note that Will County Girl Scout Service Unit #24 had a food supply drive, with each troop donating items the shelter was in need of.
Arbury Hills School for the money they raised and the dog and cat food they donated to help the animals at TLC.
The Bertha Fund as many of you already know was set up in memory of one of the nicest stray dogs you would have ever had the privilege to meet. Unfortunately this wonderful dog was in the final stages of heartworm, when she arrived at TLC, and as much as we had hoped she could be saved, that was not to be. That is when we set up the "Bertha Fund" in memory of this wonderful dog, in hopes of helping other animals brought to us in need of more serious medical attention.
As of late, your donations to the Bertha Fund have been used to help Shando the little Chihuahua. Shando was brought to us when his owner passed away. Shando had a lump on his side that concerned us and we were afraid it might be cancerous. Although Shando was eight years old, we felt he still had many good years left to live and lots of love to give somebody. We went ahead and Shando came through the operation with flying colors. We were even more elated when we found out the tumor he had was benign.
Now that Shando is fully recovered, the only thing that would make his life even better, would be to have someone adopt him and give him a great home!
PS
Shando would like to thank everyone who donated to the Shelter's "Bertha Fund", which made this surgery possible.
Whether it was a hat fit for Minnie Pearl or Christmas reindeer the TLC garage sale had it all and then some! After weeks of collecting Annie and Sharon had everything ready for the annual garage sale for the Shelter. They went through all the work of pricing, setting up and two days of selling, raising $1,536.00 to help the animals at the shelter. We especially want to thank Sharon and her husband Rich for allowing the sale to be held in their garage, once again.
The photo shows Sharon all smiles because the sale was going so well, and Annie on the right sporting her "Minnie Pearl" hat. Of course wherever Annie goes you are sure to see Baby, who is contentedly laying in Annie's arms. A special round of applause goes out to these two hardworking ladies for all they did to help raise money for the animals. We also want to thank everyone who donated items for the sale, and everyone who stopped by and made a purchase!