This has been a tough week for young felines in my parts. Litters of unwanteds stray into oncoming traffic and fare poorly against backyard dogs. Their eyes drip mucoid tears as they hunch wih backs against one another awaiting their next handout.
At work we received ten this week: One sweet-as-sugar seven month-old with a litter in her belly. A three week-old litter of three healthy fat ones of various bright colors. Then three pairs of ten to twelve-weekers from different litters––all six sick, semi-long-haired and feral.
Except for the first female, all were destined for the shelter or the freezer, per their finders. The first female was set to get let back out soon after her low-cost abortion. But the others were either too small or too sick to credibly survive in “the wild.”
Somehow, fate intervened and older kitten #1 met her forever home while stationed in her cage in the corner. The ear tip, hanging mammaries and scraped-up nose didn’t deter the older gentleman who fell for her. Sometimes love knows no aesthetic bounds.
The three tiny kittens learned to eat on their own and proved perfectly adoptable...in time we figure we’ll get these orangey-tricoloreds their perfect placements. They’re easy keepers, anyway.
But the sick ones? Not so much. All six were wild at first. We medicated them for a couple of days and hoped for the best. One pair distinguished itself for their comely coats...and for coming around to our ministrations––especially with respect to their temperament. We were able to fenagle a foster home after lots of calling around. Truth be told, their salvation was mostly the result of their prettiness.
Three of the other four remained wild as can be..and snorkely and feverish and sickly. Though #4 was all black and still sick, he had the distinction of being temperamentally workable...and male. After euthanizing his [especially aggressive] sister and the other wild pair, we treated him to an early neuter and a chance at life. A medicated bath, earmite meds, Revolution for his lice (might work), more antibiotics and lots of fluids.
This truly is the world of the haves and the have-nots. Three die, while seven are granted a fast-track to domestic bliss. The attractive, the strong and the sweet are given chances that the others are not. Arbitrary and unfair. That's life.
So how could I kill the three? Not easily, I assure you. But it’s not as downright depressing as you might think. Perhaps that’s because I’m too busy being angry. Whenever I kill like this, I’m incensed that humanity created conditions that conspired to force MY hand to do the dirty work.
The shelter? Please. It’s passing the buck. And, if nothing else, these three got a thoughtful trial and a soft hand at the end. Not that my staff agrees. Still, they didn't volunteer to take them home, either.
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You gave them all a chance, and save 7 out of ten. In most shelters, the death rate would have been 10 out of 10, because sickly, aggressive young kittens aren't worth the trouble, and there are plenty of homeless young cats who don't need an abortion first.
You did good.
Lis July 11th, 2009 11:34:09 AM
Bless you for doing what you could, and with the three who didn't make it, at least they knew kindness and gentleness and compassion in their much too short lives. And for all the others out there, wherever they may be, I hope for someone who cares as much for them.
I'm angry, too, that we place so little value on the lives of these precious animals. I stopped volunteering at the shelter because the killing was too quick and too unnecessary, but the needy ones seem to find me anyway. I like to think that I can make a difference for those, one cat, one kitten at a time. It's not enough, but it's the best I can do, I'm afraid.
Godspeed to all those who don't make it . . .
dottie July 11th, 2009 11:36:42 AM
While your post brought tears to my eyes, as someone who has done rescue for many years, I couldn't agree more with your post. Thank you for saving those you could, and thank you for ensuring those you couldn't were able to die with respect and compassion. It's more than they would have received on the streets.
Leslie July 11th, 2009 11:42:17 AM
It all makes me very happy I rescued my two Italian street kittens when they were about 5 weeks old or so. One of the litter was very reticent and fearful but not wild. Oddly she was the healthiest. The other 3 sibs were extremely ill. I worked on them for 6 months at significant cost during a time when I could not afford it so well. Interferon, lice and flea and mite treatments, lysine, oral antibiotics and eye cream, two ER visits. Lots of work, touch and go at times, but all 4 (as far as I know, 2 are on the couch with me, the other two in Philly, now living separately due to the divorce of the cat loving couple that adopted them) are alive today. I guess what I am saying is IF someone is willing to sign up for it, most are salvageable. I think the temperament problem is more of a challenge than the health issues, but I have talked to people who have taken feral kittens and over a very long period of time (years) they can come around. There just are not a lot of people willing to do that. Certainly it is sad, and being in the kinds of situation you describe would break my heart and over time, probably cause me to become clinically depressed.
Stefani July 11th, 2009 11:55:50 AM
I "fourth" the three comments before mine, tears in my eyes as well. Tears for hurting, homeless and neglected animals -- tears of gratitude for few people of courage and commitment like you -- and tears of rage at the many who passively enable this scenario to happen thousands of times each day.
Doctor, you inspire my better angels.
oh holland July 11th, 2009 12:03:40 PM
Dear Dr. Khuly,
I appreicate the important and heartwrenching work you do, such as euthanizing the three kittens. Please know that you are not alone when it's just you and the animal on the euthanasia table. I am here in Los Angeles thinking of you and the sad situations you encounter. I am grateful for you. You are on the front lines and relieve the suffering of the animal who was dumped in front of you.
I equally despise the people who caused the suffering to the animals you encounter. Thank you for not giving up, keep strong. You are a good person, I wish there were more people like you.
Deborah July 11th, 2009 12:37:24 PM
Here are the poor sick kittens from Italy. Just so grateful I found them before they were too far gone or too feral.
http://www.thetooncesproject.com/whathappenedtotoonces/friends.html
Stefani July 11th, 2009 12:46:39 PM
My husband and I trapped 2 feral kittens from a small colony living outside the apartment building we were in at the time. The kittens were born in early August and we trapped them in November. It took months but we have had them since 2005 and integrated them in with the 3 cats we already had. They are now normal (although a little skittish with strangers) indoor only cats but it took patience. All 5 cats are indoor only and we live in a mobile home and they are all happy, healthy, and get along very well. And the 2 formerly feral kittens..... big cuddly mushpots we love to bits!
Thank you Dr. Khuly, for helping save the ones you did.
Faith July 11th, 2009 12:51:08 PM
I second Lis. You saved seven sick, homeless cats out of ten. In the bigger picture, that's a damn good batting average.
BTW, I've got one sick stray kitten on the mend in my foster room, and a former sick stray next to me on the coffee table. The benefits of being a vet's partner. ;) But you just can't bring them all home.
PsMom July 11th, 2009 03:34:42 PM
Good for you to save the ones that you did save. I have kittens moving in with me constantly. I have three wild ones at the moment that I cannot catch. My problem is that I can't afford to keep them all and I will not take them to the shelter here in the town where I live. I do have people that donate food for the kittens and cats, but that doesn't help with the vet work although my vets are terrific about being kind with the bills.
I am so glad to have found this blog. It is right down my alley.
Thanks
Margaret Elmendorf July 11th, 2009 06:02:34 PM
Ditto to the comment made earlier by Leslie.
Debi July 11th, 2009 06:22:44 PM
Dr. K, I'm glad you were able to save so many of the kittens. Certainly better odds than if they'd ended up elsewhere. May they live long happy lives.
Barb, BARC... Lovely! Afraid I'm not surprised in the least. Having accumulated 4 new and personal "crappy acts by vets" stories of late (involving 4 different vets), all I want to do is rant about/at vets right now. Especially tough because I need a new surgeon to take care of my Shiba's other knee and these 4 incidences have assured that it will be difficult for me to trust a vet right now.
Time for me to take a break and clear my head...
PJBoosinger July 11th, 2009 07:00:18 PM
no kitten deserves to die. But it's not your fault they had to, it's societies and politicians and a very broken system. The ones that went to the shelter will likely only die there as well.
I have a house full of sick mucky eyed kittens. I'd never pass the buck on them even though they were not mine to start and I'll probably wind up rolling pennies to cover their costs. And I always wind up with the little black spit hissers...and they are beautiful to me.
LorriM July 11th, 2009 07:02:44 PM
I thank you for this kindness Dr. Khuly. I know there are feral cats who eventually come around to being semi-tame, but there are also many who don't and are completely miserable locked up in a home where they are scared of everybody and everything, or back on the street where they suffer when they get sick and there's nobody to treat them or euthanize them when that happens. I also have to comment on shelters and volunteering. Regardless of whether I like or dislike the shelter's policies or the people who work there, I volunteer for the sake of the animals. Someone once told me I was somehow complicit in a horrible system because I volunteer there, but more often people appreciate that we're there for the dogs and cats who have no choice but to be where they are. It's a strange thing to volunteer for an organization you dislike and whose leadership you don't believe in but I think somebody has to. The need is so great and there are many employees who are doing the best they can and are wonderful to the animals too - how hard that must be. You can't always change the system but you can change the experience or fate of a cat or dog, even if it's just giving them a good day. And that goes for everybody who rescues, and everybody who adopts.
Jan July 11th, 2009 09:19:03 PM
That last paragraph rings so, so true. It takes a little piece of you each time.
pawcurious July 11th, 2009 11:38:58 PM
:-(
It's so sad. Here (Israel) there are also tons of feral cats and kittens, although thankfully the city that I live in does TNR, so there are less that in other places.
The sheer number of cats/kittens/dogs/puppies looking for homes here is heartbreaking. Every weekend I take a min-pin puppy I'm fostering to an "adoption day", and it seems like there are always more and more homeless pets there. Sigh.
Speaking on finding kittens- My dog Goodman last week found a little 2-month-old ginger kitten, which we named Jazz. Other than having a full parasite eco-system on him, he is healthy, and will be staying here :)
Xslf July 12th, 2009 08:50:02 AM
Jan, well said. IMO you have no right to criticize an organization unless you have worked and/or volunteered for them. It takes a lot of underpaid employees (and under appreciated volunteers) to run a shelter, and a lot of money- most shelters are short on both, but they do their best.
Meghan RAHT July 12th, 2009 11:56:59 AM
Xslf: Visited you site & hope the promotion works. What I could read (English) was great, and I agree--some serious help is needed there.
Barb A./NH July 12th, 2009 09:28:02 PM
Jan, well said. IMO you have no right to criticize an organization unless you have worked and/or volunteered for them. It takes a lot of underpaid employees (and under appreciated volunteers)to run a shelter, and a lot of money- most shelters are short on both, but they do their best.
Huh?
How many organizatons and institutions do you feel you're not entitled to criticize unless you've worked for them? Some shelters are much better run than others. Some shelters, open admission shelters, save 90% or better of the animals that come in the door. Other shelters in similar communities have much higher death rates. Some shelters vaccinate the animals, maintain clean, healthy conditions, and isolate and treat sick animals. Other shelters' idea of cleaning cages is to hose them down with the animals still in them.
Do you honestly believe that we have no right to form and express opinions on which of these institutions is doing a good or bad job? Or even a better or worse job?
Lis July 13th, 2009 07:51:03 AM
Bob (bobtailed tabby, found as a stray at 12 weeks, arguably best cat on the planet who keeps a dozen Border Collies in complete control)
and
Andy (ragdoll/siamese by looks, found with his eyes still closed in a parking lot. Bottle fed by my Mom. Momma's boy. Mr. Priss. The culture of the farm.)
send great healing purrs and THANKS YOU head bumps and snuggles to Dr Patty for her kindness and care of their feral brothers and sisters.
Wendy July 13th, 2009 09:44:52 AM
Barb- thanks. Just to make it clear- the site I linked to isn't "my" site, but the website of the orginazation that I foster puppies for.
So, if any Israelis are reading this thread- a cute 4 month old min-pin is looking for a home :)
Xslf July 13th, 2009 09:58:08 AM
Lis - speaking to your comments, I agree that we all have the right to criticize our shelters - I have a lot of issues too - but I also know from the amount of contact I have that some of the criticisms I hear from others are more valid than others. Some things would be pretty easy to change with leadership and better organization and intentions, others are a question of time and resources, the abilities and limitations of the staff and the particular issues of the particular community. I do think every community is different and presents particular challenges. I do wish that more people would treat government-run shelters like other government-run agencies - if they're not happy, demand reform. Demand better and back it up with funding and advocacy. Ask your city or county representatives what they're doing about it, make it an issue at campaign time. Remember that the shelter did not create these unwanted pets, nor can they limit or control how many or what kind are brought in but they have to accept them all. And bringing it back to the issue at hand, Dr. Khuly's effort in saving some kittens and euthanizing others is an example of people in the community taking responsibility and not dumping their problems on the shelter system.
Jan July 13th, 2009 01:59:23 PM
Jan,
I agree with your points about the need for the public to "demand" reform. But one of the problems is that the public is often in the dark about the truth.
There have been allegations that many shelters "pretty up" their euthanasia statistics, and I am convinced that this has been true local of at least one shelter, probably more. They "don't count" lots of the euths -- here are ways they get around it:
1. Considering any healthy pet over a certain age (let's say a cat over 5) "unhealthy" and "unadoptable." These are not counted in the denominator for the euth stats when they use a denominator of "healthy, adoptable" pets.
2. Considering every "owner give-up" an "owner-requested euthanasia." Yes, that's another dirty trick I have heard of locally.
It steams me to hear members of a shelter org tout excellent, improved euth rates (such as: "We are placing 80% of our animals"), and then, as a foster for another local org, I get repeated emails saying:
"We have received an urgent call from ____ Shelter. They have an owner-give up of two 8-year old female cats that the owner adopted from us 5 years ago. They are going to euthanize if we can't find a foster home by the weekend."
When I get a stream of these appeals, worded almost exactly so, I know the shelter in question is lying about their euth stats.
Yet they throw "balls" at which they brag about their improved rates.
Guess they aren't counting these cats I keep getting emails about because they were originally adopted out by a different rescue (the one I'm on the foster list for). But I also suspect -- have good reason - that when the 8 year old sisters are euthed, they don't go in the denominator, because they are counted as "owner-requested euthanasia" or "unadoptable" due to age, and thus . . . they continue to lie with statistics, and the public keeps the contributions coming.
Stefani July 16th, 2009 04:28:49 PM
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