Pet Adoption Is The Key

Pet adoption is the key to the overpopulation of pets. Euthanasia, even when done humanely, is not the answer. I used to work at the Animal Medical Center in NYC. There was a mother cat with 5 kittens that was left at the door, in a box. Every time I walked by her cage she would stick her paw out. I would pet her and she let me pet her kittens too. One by one her kittens were adopted but she was left there, week after week.She grew lonely and was even more insistent that I pet her endlessly. I tried hard to get her adopted. Stopping by her cage as many times as I could, I still managed to get my work done.  The Animal Medical Center is no average  animal hospital. It is 5 stories high with specialists in every field. People come from all over to get the specialized help their pets need. It is a wonderful place.

Unfortunately there are too many drop offs and not enough cages. Eventually there is a problem even at a caring animal hospital. The dreaded card was placed on her cage. I decided to adopt her. Three days before her time was up I brought in my cat carrier with a blanket and went to her cage. She was gone! My heart sank, I started to shake and cry. Was I too late?

I asked everyone if they knew what happened to her, but no one knew. I ran to the end of the line rooms but didn’t find her. I went home that night without her. I couldn’t sleep all night. The next day my search continued. Still no luck. If she had gotten a home people would know. Then I ran into one of the Vets I worked with and asked him. His expression changed completely, transforming  first  into a smirk and then a beaming smile. He said, ” you mean Shannon?” I said, “yes, yes, yes”. All he said was, ” G-14 “. He had hidden her for safety! I ran as fast as I could. There she was all the way in the back of G-ward in the bottom corner cage. It was huge, meant for a large dog. No one would look for a cat there. She jumped up and ran over to me. I took her out and hugged her. I told her I would be back as soon as I was done with work and take her home. The carrier was still in my office because I never gave up hope.

I kept my promise to that very special cat and she gave me many years of joy. My life is still missing something without her. May you rest in peace my little Nana. Please adopt a pet today.

This post has taken me in a new direction. I have decided to write about each one of my wonderful pets I have had through the years and the ones I still have. This was just the beginning for Shannon (Nana). She lived to be 21 years old so there is much more to tell.

Please leave your comments below to let me know if you enjoyed this post. I welcome you to guest blog about your pets. Just shoot me an email at doublekk475@yahoo.com.

~ Karen Karo ~

P.S. Pet tip of the day — Adopt a pet!