I completely agree with you on this issue......every animal I have ever had has come from a shelter or has been a stray... including the potbellied pig I had for 3 years...... We have cat at this time. A cat that wanted family. He was a stray at the apartments where we lived and was found to be at our sliding glass window for 2 weeks before I finally took him in.... What changed my mind????? He chose us.....or should I say he chose our dog as his friend. He was playing with my dog while the dog was on a chain outside... I had never had a cat before and was uncertain of the effects to my youngest child you has alergies.. I had still not deceided if we were going to keep him. I was feeding him Tuna. I still hadn't bought a box of food. We had been taking are of the cat for 2 days when he got hurt playing with the dog. Off to the Vet we went.... X-rays..... bandages.......and shots later. WE HAD A CAT!!!!! He is the best cat I could have ever asked for.... He's got personality galore and is loving (when he wants). So....... it's not a matter of breeding.. it's not a matter of purebred's....it's a matter of the heart...if you love animals and you show them that you do. they will be the best thing to ever come into your life......

Shannon
djcabo@mix-net.net

As for buying a purebreed, I think most people who adopt mostly resuces, deserve to have "a dream come true" if they want it that bad. I would not scorn anyone who buys a purebred cat as long as they mostly favor the strays. I have three strays and my bridge kitty was a stray. I dream of having a Birman one day. Did so with each of my strays but the strays always came first and the Birman dream set aside. I'll probably never have a Birman. I didn't even plan on my third cat, Gatsby. The need arose and I took him in. That's how it usually goes for all of us. No sin, though, wanting a purebred.

Maxine
The Brat Cats

Dear Lynnda,

Your commentary on shelter animals vs. pedigrees touched me deeply. This is a subject dear to my heart.

Over the years my association with 3 cat rescues has allowed me to see and hear more than I ever bargained for. Maybe if people spent time visiting shelters, getting to know the individual animals and hearing their stories/circumstances, they would think twice about purchasing a pedigree.

Every one purchased means one less home for an animal that desperately needs a home. If people insist on getting a pedigree cat, there are pedigree rescues. To actually fork over big bucks for "mass produced" animals when so many others have no homes is beyond my comprehension.

My latest shelter cat is Witch-Hazel. She led a bad life, was rescued by Kings Highway Cat rescue, and was then cooped up in a small shelter cage for 2 years before coming to live with us. I invite those of you who are entertaining the thought of purchasing a pedigree to visit Witch-Hazel's page and hear her story..... straight from her mouth. Then decide if you still want that pedigree, or if you want to make a dramatic difference in the life of a forgotten animal. Diane of DIABELLA LOVES CATS.....Visit and click on the WITCH-HAZEL button.

DIABELLA LOVES CATS

Hi Lynnda!

I, too, appreciate your page and all the good information you bring to the Internet. Reasons I have been given for not adopting a pet are

(1) "We want to make sure we get a breed that is good with children." (These people did look at a shelter but ended up getting a pet store pet that is NOT a purebred.) My response: Anyone who takes home a pet, no matter what breed, faces the possibility that it will not have a good temperment. You can play with the pets from a shelter with your child present and get a very good idea of how that particular animal handles children. It is also the owners' responsibility to make sure the children are taught how to approach animals. [sidenote: this puppy is sweet, but nips quite a bit. I've been nipped, and it HURTS. So much for getting that sweet-tempered purebred...

(2) "The [animal adoption institution] has strict rules. I'd have to get my landlord to sign a document stating it's okay to have pets and they have to review whether or not I would be a good animal owner." My response: Hello? Why do you think they should just hand over the animals to anyone? If you have a problem going through the process of animal adoption, perhaps you shouldn't adopt a pet. After all, the pet will require a lot of care--vet care, food and water, grooming... if filling out a little bit of paperwork is an inconvenience for you, what are you going to do if your pet gets hurt and has to go see a dr. in an emergency?

(3) "You never know where a shelter animal has been." Do you know where your petstore animal came from? I feel that by taking a pet into your home, you are investing in at least 12 years of caring for that pet. People should consider that any extra time it takes to adopt an animal or find a particular breed from a rescue group is minimal in comparison to the time you will spend with your pet. Based on MY PERSONAL OBSERVATION ONLY, people who tend to avoid shelters or rescue groups also tend to view their pets as "disposable." They seem to have an attitude of ownership rather than having a loving, giving relationship with them. I'm sure we all know exceptions to this rule, but I have noticed this. I can only hope that by giving people information, they will make the right decisions regarding pets and animals in general.

Sincerely,

Marcia Teckenbrock
Marcia@hep.net

I too feel the same way. We have 10 cats and 2 dogs. All were abandoned and most I got at the SPCA. People don't realize the joy that these animals could bring into their lives. My son died of cancer four years ago when we got Fluffy and Jerry, abandoned kittens , about four or five weeks old. I honestly can say that I don't think that I could have made it without them. Also, at the vets office they were going to have to send a 13 year old cat to the spca. the owners moved into a NEW house! She is 17 now and she is doing good. Three years ago she survived our moving from Delaware to New York and we moved her into a new house without any hesitation. She is a warm lovable cat. They all are! One of the dogs was dropped off by our house when only about 6 weeks old. The other ate two rugs at our old house, but with a lot of love and attention she is a beautiful dog. SOMETIMES, I WISH THE OWNERS COULD COME BACK TO SEE HOW WONDERFUL THESE ANIMALS HAVE TURNED OUT! I TOO, WISH PEOPLE WOULD REALIZE WHAT THEY ARE MISSING BY NOT ADOPTING A LOVING ANIMAL FROM THE SPCA, OR FROM ANY TYPE OF SHELTER.

~SANDY AND WALT KELLER FROM NEW YORK
wtk1@webtv.net

Hi Lynnda,

I've always been drawn to animals who seem the most helpless, and so I've always adopted homeless animals (age-ranges from orphaned newborns to adults) from shelters, rescuers, people who could not care for them, etc. My husband John and I are most comfortable with this, and so it has worked out very well through the years for the animals, and for us too. Not everyone feels this way. Some people can't seem to bring themselves to visit a shelter cuz they say they would feel guilty taking home only one... ... or they would get nightmares just from going to a shelter and facing the tragic consequences of over-breeding (planned and unplanned)... ...or they fear that a shelter animal will be diseased and they won't be able to afford vet bills to save the animal, or that the shelter animal will bring home something contageous to their other pets, despite keeping the new animal separated for a while (tho some people don't have the space to do this anyway). Some won't adopt "just any" animal cuz they are drawn only to a particular breed. Many people who feel this way do adopt their animals from breed rescuers. Others don't, cuz they say want only an animal who is a baby, and has started life with "the best advantages;" they fear that psychological trauma of abandonment or homelessness will cause the animal to "not be a good pet," or that possible "improper diet and health care" will cause the animal to "have health problems all his or her life." Still others say they feel "more secure" if they have the "papers" for the animal and know the hereditary background. And there are people who seem to feel that "you get what you pay for," and feel "more secure" with an animal that has cost them a lot of money. And of course there are the "competitive" people who DO like to tell their friends how much they paid for their animal, and show off the animal's papers, yes. Some people, who will only purchase an animal with papers from a breeder, are as good-as-gold to their animals, honestly love their animals with all their hearts -- but do NOT care about animals in general -- only THEIR animals count. Others are the opposite, being active in animal work, but comfortable at home only with animals with papers that they have purchased from a breeder. And many, many people just go to a pet store or breeder when they want to obtain a pet cuz they are only periphally aware of the tragic situation where animals, full of life and deserving to live, are having their lives snuffed out every single day simply because there is no human who wants to take them home with them.... ...And THESE are the people I think we can reach with statements such as the one you, Lynnda, have made on your web site! You are doing a wonderful job!

Hugs,

Linda G -----------
Linda & John & The Garvey Cats
of CATalina Island
Elanjae Productions/Video
_^, ,^_
elanjae@catalinaislandcats.com
ICQ #9642456
_^ , , ^ _ http://www.catalinaislandcats.com
All about our cats, our Island lifestyle, and our local cable TV show!

Lynnda,

Good for you both for spreading the word about the necessity of adopting and rescuing animals. It is of such importance that people realize the needs of these poor animals. Again, you are wonderful....hugs to all!

Kleeo, Spikey & Zoro
For the Love of Dogs