14 replies to this topic

[Marty]

It's that time of year again when snow birds are leaving for their summer homes, some permanently, leaving behind their animals, many to fend for themselves. I received the following urgent message from a friend today, the third such story I have heard this week about abandoned cats and dogs:



It seems that a woman who lived in Los Sabinos who had two cats has returned to the US leaving the cats behind. They are both about one and a half years old, are declawed on all four paws and are very sweet indoor cats. She reports that they are now living alone in the home, with neighbors volunteering to come in to feed them daily. However, they are very lonely, peeking through the door and need a new "Permanent Home.They are both long haired, one is black with topaz eyes, the other longhaired tiger brown shaded ombre with greenish eyes. She has no pictures now but is arranging for someone to take pictures which will be posted soon.".



She asked that I pass this message on to whoever might be interested in permanently adopting the cats. The neighbor who is looking out for them is Carol Banks who can be reached at 766-3065 to arrange to see them.



I would also like to pass on this reminder to our new Lakeside residents: When you arrive here and begin to settle in and tour the area and "window shop" exploring the cat and dog shelters, inevitably falling in love with those adorable bundles of fur that you decide adopt or rescue on the road.... Please remember that they deserve more than a "few hots and a cot" for the season. Just like children that are adopted, they are hopefully in a "forever" permanent loving home! If you must leave here please arrange for your animals to cared for if you cannot take them with you. But if you really do love animals please seriously consider making a donation to an animal group or shelter instead of adopting if it is "just for the season"

[Dogdaze]

QUOTE; "I would also like to pass on this reminder to our new Lakeside residents: When you arrive here and begin to settle in and tour the area and "window shop" exploring the cat and dog shelters, inevitably falling in love with those adorable bundles of fur that you decide adopt or rescue on the road.... Please remember that they deserve more than a "few hots and a cot" for the season. Just like children that are adopted, they are hopefully in a "forever" permanent loving home! If you must leave here please arrange for your animals to cared for if you cannot take them with you. But if you really do love animals please seriously consider making a donation to an animal group or shelter instead of adopting if it is "just for the season"

I think that this post is so important and so compellingly written that it should become a pinned post for all to be constantly reminded of the problem here.

I don't know how to bring that to pass and hoping that others agree and do know how to get it done.
Thanks.

[Luke]

I second that suggestion, Dogdaze.

[Wait. What?]

Exactly. This has been an issue for me since I've lived here–8 years. How anyone can abandon a pet once they're "done with them" for protection and just leave and do it again year after year is criminal! That animal, probably abused and scared, TRUSTED you and no doubt loved you. This cruel, irresponsible behavior is disgusting and vile. You traumatized that animal and your karma is gonna be a bitch. Don't ever let me catch you doing this. And if this you, shame!

[Catinmex]

It's beyond my comprehension how anyone can do this. If I hear of anyone who's planning to do this, not that they're going to broadcast it ahead of time, I am going to be in your face!!

[mexican yankee]

Perhaps printing that poignant paragraph in large print and posting it inside the animal shelters where would be adopters might see it - but then those who would actually behave in such a heartless manner would not likely see themselves.

[Mainecoons]

It's beyond my comprehension how anyone can do this. If I hear of anyone who's planning to do this, not that they're going to broadcast it ahead of time, I am going to be in your face!!

Call me, we'll help out! How could anyone be so low life as to do this?

[Texas Ranger]

Being a pet owner I find this topic thread is both important and extremly sad that it even has to noted. It is a disgrace that an xpat in any shape or form would even consider such nonsense to adopt a pet and then leave it behind for gardeners or neighbors to care for. Most people from NOB claim to be more evolved than the culture they visit yearly however doing something like this falls in a category that begs to differ. It should not matter if you are an animal lover or not common sense should prevail.

If you want a pet be responsible or pass on adoption. If you adopt a pet because you want it to protect you and your property or simply keep you company give the animal the same respect it gave you..it protected you for four to five months and it probably gave you unconditional love because you were providing it with hopefully a safe enviornment while you were here. Take it with you or at the very least arrange for something more than food and water every day.

And neighbors those of you that are approached by snowbirds returning home and leaving their animals stop reinforcing bad behaviour by thinking you are being nice to help and demand accountability. Perhaps a little peer pressure on what is acceptable animal adoption will begin to change the seasonal abandonment practice. You know what they say. You can judge the character of a culture by the way they treat their animals. I personally think it should read you can judge the character of a person by the way he or she treats their animals.

[ChrisB]

If we can help it they do NOT do it year after year. We wise up quick and name and actually descriptions go on our DO NOT ADOPT list. We remember our kids and where they went and get very suspicious when the same person comes back in a year looking for "another" dog.

[Texas Ranger]

Thats good to hear Chris. In the City I am from in Canada no one adopts from the shelters unless they go through a two week training and bonding course. It sorts out the committed adoptive people. I know its tough here as we have so many great animals looking for forever homes. I am happy to hear that there are some process's in place.

[MtnMama]

I am copying the OP in BIG letters so older eyes can read it:

It's that time of year again when snow birds are leaving for their summer homes, some permanently, leaving behind their animals, many to fend for themselves. I received the following urgent message from a friend today, the third such story I have heard this week about abandoned cats and dogs:

It seems that a woman who lived in Los Sabinos who had two cats has returned to the US leaving the cats behind. They are both about one and a half years old, are declawed on all four paws and are very sweet indoor cats. She reports that they are now living alone in the home, with neighbors volunteering to come in to feed them daily. However, they are very lonely, peeking through the door and need a new "Permanent Home.They are both long haired, one is black with topaz eyes, the other longhaired tiger brown shaded ombre with greenish eyes. She has no pictures now but is arranging for someone to take pictures which will be posted soon.".

She asked that I pass this message on to whoever might be interested in permanently adopting the cats. The neighbor who is looking out for them is Carol Banks who can be reached at 766-3065 to arrange to see them.

I would also like to pass on this reminder to our new Lakeside residents: When you arrive here and begin to settle in and tour the area and "window shop" exploring the cat and dog shelters, inevitably falling in love with those adorable bundles of fur that you decide adopt or rescue on the road.... Please remember that they deserve more than a "few hots and a cot" for the season. Just like children that are adopted, they are hopefully in a "forever" permanent loving home! If you must leave here please arrange for your animals to cared for if you cannot take them with you. But if you really do love animals please seriously consider making a donation to an animal group or shelter instead of adopting if it is "just for the season"

[kathymac518]

If possible, please post a picture.....it will help get them adopted.

[exHawaiian]

I have often thought there might be a way for the dog or cat to be fostered by snowbirds. They should have to pay for the room and board, socialization and exercise for the rest of the year, in advance. That way, if "their" pet has not been adopted in the interim into a forever home, the returning snowbird could have "their" pet again for the next 6 mos or so.

That might sound cold-blooded, compared to a forever home, but are there enough forever homes to adopt the annual deluge of abandoned pets?

But let's get real. Foster human children often get worse deals than that, being moved from home to institution, to another home, some nice, some awful

I really liked Texas Ranger's solution in Canada where a 2 week program must be attended prior to adopting the pet.

Some computer whiz could set up a spreadsheet type of program to track dogs in all the shelters, and who adopted them, fostered them, etc. If dogs here had ID chips automatically when spayed or neutered, this would help with identification Then someone would have to do the data entry. Oh well, I like to think big...

[Tingting]

I have a suggestion...START NAMING NAMES. If people are so heartless to do this to a trusting creature, they deserve the shame of being named. It might also encourage them to "snowbird" elsewhere. When you take a pet into your home, that´s it. If you have to move, the pet goes with you. Period. If you become incapacitated, then you make arrangements (if possible, obviously). If you can´t do this, then you don´t need a pet.