Pets are not disposable

Sometimes, you just can't help but take work home with you and things keep you awake or wake you up in the middle of the night, such as tonight. At least it's not about something involving scheduling, employees, or the every day operations of the place tonight. Just the occasional case that comes in that my mind has trouble wrapping itself around.

I'm fortunate that in the eight years that I've worked for a veterinary hospital, I have not seen many cases of animal cruelty. I work at a somewhat pricey hospital, so most of the patients we see are of the spoiled variety. (Really, people who will spend $300 on a dental procedure for their dog or cat are not generally animal abusers; although, we do still get the occasional client that thinks Ol' Roy is quality dog food--joke: I'm not saying that people who feed their pets Ol' Roy are animal abusers) Cases where a pet has been abused usually comes when one of our clients has adopted a rescue animal or has seen a kitten tossed from a car on the highway and, risking their own lives, rescues said kitten. One of our clients adopted a dog from a rescue group that had been taken out to the gulf in a boat, tossed overboard, and left. (Apparently, they didn't want to deal with a pregnant dog.) Luckily, some nearby boaters saw the incident and were able to pull the dog into their boat.

It has always rancored me when one of our clients brings in a dog or cat that they want to take care of or have "inherited" due to the fact that someone has moved out of their house or apartment and abandoned their pets. How can someone just leave their pet? This is an animal that has formed a bond with their owner, and sometimes, I'm sure the owner has a bond with that pet, but they just leave them. I try not to pass judgement on these people, because I don't know what kind of situation they're moving into, but still...We've seen them left because a baby was born; because someone is getting married and the fiancee doesn't like the dog/cat (Hello??? Why are you marrying them? Package deal!); because they're moving somewhere that they can't take their pets to, etc. I realize, that some may think that it is better than taking them to a shelter where they may be euthanized instead of adopted. Believe me....it's not.

Today, one of our clients came in with a cat that had been abandoned by its owners. She lived in the neighboring apartment to this cat and hadn't realized the owners had moved out. If she had known that they had moved out, she would have notified management much sooner about the incessantly barking dog next door. I don't know how much time had passed, but someone finally went into the apartment. The dog, by this time, was dead.

(Just letting that sink in a little)
The people who left them, probably weren't intending to be what they thought of as "cruel". They left food out. Too bad they didn't leave the water running in the bathtub or something. The cat was very cute and sweet (a bob-tailed, dilute tortie with big green eyes). She was not in horrible condition--she was alert and active. I have never seen a cat, in my entire life, go for a bowl of water like she did when I brought one in the room. She had it almost emptied in less than 30 seconds.

I can't imagine what this cat went through, what was in her mind, as she was there day after day with her housemate as the water ran out of the toilet bowl and then watching her friend and housemate die, knowing that she would too if someone didn't come soon. Wondering where that person was that had always taken care of them--fed them, kept their water bowls filled; petted them, played with them, gave a lap or bed to lay on.

The girl that brought her in just couldn't contain her tears, thinking that she could have saved the dog, too, but didn't get management to go into the apartment next door when the dog wouldn't stop barking. It's not her fault, but she feels terrible. She wants to keep the cat, but for right now, the cat is evidence in an animal cruelty investigation and had to be surrendered to police and taken to the shelter. A doctor there will examine her. Our client will have to go through the adoption process once evidence is gathered and a judge rules on the case. I just hope the cat doesn't get a horrible upper respiratory infection at the shelter. They do the best they can there, but URIs are inevitable.

So, how can people just leave their pets? Why don't they take them to a shelter if they can't keep them, or find a rescue group that will take them in? There are hundreds of rescue groups out there! How can they just abandon them and think that it's the best they can do for them?

I don't know how many people besides my friends and co-workers read my blog, but I want them to know this: Pets are not disposable. When you get a pet, it's almost like taking care of kids, when they're puppies or kittens, to taking care of aging parents as they get older. They are a commitment and a responsibility. They require veterinary care and preventative medications. There is no such thing as a free pet. They cost money. If you get one and find you can't take care of it, please, please find a shelter or rescue group that will. Don't just abandon them. They depend on you. They love and trust you. Don't break that faith because somehow, some way, it will catch up to your soul.