I Am An Animal Rescurer

by Mary
(North Carolina, USA)

It is March already here in North Carolina,USA and this morning I was thinking: Spring is around the corner and this brings on a HUGE responsibility for those of us who are dedicated Cat Rescuers. It is the beginning of what we call KITTEN SEASON.

This time of year is lovely and a much awaited time for many folks who have braved the bitter cold of winter.
BUT, for those of us who rescue Cats, it is the beginning of a NIGHTMARE.
This is the time of year that Cats get "Frisky" by nature and the results are hundreds of thousands of litters of kittens who will
(1) Never find loving homes.
(2) Die from starvation or disease in the wild.
(3) Be killed by larger predators
(4) Grow up FERAL and go on to continue to breed and create more kittens like themselves.

This is where we rescue people come in.
We get thousands of calls each day every Spring from people who have found a litter of kittens on their property and they want us to "come get them" and rescue them because after all, WE are called Rescuers.

Ok, lets look at what TRUE RESCUE IS:
True RESCUE is SAVING an animal from Abuse, Neglect and social demise. If we see a injured animal on the side of the road in need of medical assistance then we need to rescue that animal and get it to a vet for assistance.

If we see an animal being abused by someone then we need to contact the local authorities to report the abuse or neglect and have them to step in and rescue that animal.
THESE are expected duty's of ANYONE who calls themselves a Rescuer.

However, We ALL have yet another duty as Rescuers and this duty goes overlooked many times.
It is OUR duty to FIX EVERY PET THAT WE OWN, as well as arrange to have EVERY stray or feral we know of, fixed and vaccinated.

Yes, I know what your thinking: THIS COSTS MONEY and in these difficult economic times, money is hard to come by, so many people turn a blind eye to this need.
The results are once again, MANY unfortunate animals being born who will either die from starvation, disease or live a very hard, unhealthy life in the wild, suffering and reproducing as often as possible, thus continuing the problem of over population in Cats and Dogs but CATS especially!

So, we are responsible to do our part in aiding these animals in making sure they do not fall into this situation in their life.
As Rescuers or simply animal lovers, there are many things we can do that require no money to assist this problem.

If you see a stray or feral, Call your local Humane Society and report its exhistance and ASK for assistance to help them.
If they tell you they don't have enough staff to come out and pick up every stray that is reported then ASK FOR A REFERRAL to a group or groups that specialize in Cat rescue and MAKE THOSE CALLS and arrange help for the animals that cannot speak for themselves.

You may be asked to TRAP them and bring them in to the Rescue but this is the lease we can do to help.
Of course if you have some extra funds and can assist in Spaying and Neutering some of those Cats then GOD BLESS YOU!
Most areas have LOW COST Spay and Neuter Clinics where they will spay and neuter those animals and vaccinate them for a fraction of the cost a Vet would charge.

Even if you Spay or Neuter ONE Cat a year, you are helping this serious problem and every ONE cat that is fixed, is one less to die a needless death in the wild or go on to reproduce more cats in years to come.

Yes, it is a vicious cycle.
Will we EVER get it under control? Probably NOT!
BUT we animal lovers can make a difference in the LIFE of a poor cat that did not ask to be born into this hard life by having them spayed and neutered and vaccinated.

In a town about 50 miles from me there is a Humane Society that offers a LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER DAY once a month where they spay and neuter and vaccinate as many animals as people bring in to them for 50.00 or less.

Yesterday I took 8 Strays from my property in to the clinic and for 8 cats to be spayed and neutered and vaccinated, my cost was 400.00
Yes, that's a lot of money but it is tax time in the USA and most folks get a refund of some kind and you dont need to take in 8 cats like I did but only one cat would be one less to worry about.
Of the 8 cats that I took in (5 males and 3 females) 3 of them had upper respiratory infections and have to go on medication for 10 days before they can be fixed so this very kind staff at the clinic sent me home with antibiotics for the 3 sickly ones FREE and told me to bring them back in 2 weeks and they will be well enough to be fixed.
AWSOME, HUH?

I will care for them and house them and medicate them until they are well enough to be fixed and then they will go back and get their surgery. It is the least I can do for them as they have no one else to step in and SAVE THEM.

I wont have to hear them coughing and sneezing and showing signs of illness because I looked the other way.
I can go to bed at night and KNOW I stepped forward and assisted God's animals that he sent my way in whatever small way that I can. And I will keep my eyes OPEN as I know in the Bushes and lurking behind trees and buildings THERE ARE MORE needing my help.
My pantry is full of emergency rations for these unfortunate cats.
I have an abundance of old blankets and towels for warm bedding for them in the cold months.

My Humane Traps are ALWAYS ready to trap yet another in need and take them in for whatever care I can get for them.
My hand is ever available to pat the weary head of those who will trust me enough to allow it.
My heart is full of love for those who are unfortunate to not have a home or someone to call them "MY CATS" and to love them.
I AM AN ANIMAL RESCUER........My work is never done.
But it is ok for it is what makes life worth living yet another day.

Well, I have to be on my way to pick up my FIXED felines that I dropped off yesterday for surgery so I will end this entry with one of my favorite Writing's by another Rescuer.


I am an Animal Rescuer

My job is to assist God's creatures

I was born with the drive to fulfill their needs

I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures
without planning or selection

I have bought dog food with my last dime

I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand

I have hugged someone vicious and afraid

I have fallen in love a thousand times

And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body too many times to count

I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends

I don't often use the word pet

I notice those lost at the road side

And my heart aches

I will hand raise a field mouse

And make friends with a vulture

I know of no creature unworthy of my time

I want to live forever if there aren't animals in Heaven

But I believe there are

Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind

Some may think we are master of the animals

But the animals have mastered themselves

Something people still haven?t learned

War and Abuse make me hurt for the world

But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind

We are a quiet but determined army

And we are making a difference every day

There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan

nothing more rewarding than saving a life

No higher recognition than watching them thrive

There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
who only days ago,
was too weak to eat

By the love of those who I?ve been privileged to rescue
I have been rescued

I know what true unconditional love really is
for I?ve seen
it shining in the eyes of so many
Grateful for so little

I am an Animal Rescuer

My work is never done

My home is never quiet

My wallet is always empty

But my heart is always full

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