Spare A Thought

[Ludwig Venter]

It is inevitable that decisions have to be made about the future of dogs & cats (and other animals) which gets into the unfortunate situation that they are lost or stray or just unwanted....

The influx of animals into the shelters are just too many to keep them all and someone must make the decision that...."tomorrow is your last day"

As it were, I had a total of (only) 30 kennels and could house about 40 cats in a small village where one would not expect the animal traffic to be huge.... well... At times I had a total of more than 50 dogs in my 30 kennels and our vet only visited the village once per month....

On the day prior to his visit, I was the unfortunate one to walk down the kennel isle listing the animals which he had to euthanaze the next day... I do not wish that decision unto my worst enemy...

So easy for the public to just drop off a dog or cat saying... "I don't want him/her anymore" (it is a policy of the SPCA that you may not refuse to take in an unwanted animal)....at the end of the day, it is on your concience that you've made the decision to put the animal down... They rest "peacefully"... very thankful that they "donated" their cat or dog to the SPCA.

To prevent this one from becoming too long... I'll add more later.

 

[MewMew42]

That's really sad...

I adopted my 2 cats from a shelter. If I had the room and didnt live on a main road I would have more, and I cried when I picked them up cause I wanted to take them all!

I could never say that an animal has to be put down, just a terrible thought =[

 

[Ludwig Venter]

I could never say that an animal has to be put down, just a terrible thought =[

You know, MewMew... That is one of the Phrases I've probably heard more than any...."I'll never be able to do that... I just love animals too much"...and then my response would be that I probably hate them, I just love making these decisions.....

Believe me... the hundredth one you put down is not easier than the first.... I am the guy they trust, having fed them, bonded & played with them for a whole month before that dreadful day that you have to go in first to hold the animal (because they do not trust the vet - a stranger)... a real Judas!...

 

[Haych]

I could never say that an animal has to be put down, just a terrible thought =[

You know, MewMew... That is one of the Phrases I've probably heard more than any...."I'll never be able to do that... I just love animals too much"...and then my response would be that I probably hate them, I just love making these decisions.....

Believe me... the hundredth one you put down is not easier than the first.... I am the guy they trust, having fed them, bonded & played with them for a whole month before that dreadful day that you have to go in first to hold the animal (because they do not trust the vet - a stranger)... a real Judas!...

dont get me wrong, i HATE that animals have to be put down because someone got bored / fed up / annoyed with an animal, but at least you DID give them a good month, and its not like you do something to scare them, they go peacefully to sleep. at least they were with someone they trusted and loved. and YOU did that for them.

ok it may have been better for them to be rehomed, but at least they had a good month with you, not being beaten, or ran over etc. and you should feel proud of that, not just look at the side where you, no dount, feel like you took a life unnecessarily.

i am grateful that there is people like you willing to help these animals.

if i could do more i would. unfortunately, all my cats are from homes as kittens, 1; to integrate them better with existing pets, and 2; i live on a MAJOR road, so i'm not alowed to adopt.

I am however, going to be doing my bit for the Cats Protection League, a charity for cats that NEVER put a healthy cat down, not even feral cats. i will be fostering in a pen in the garden (sounds alot worse than it is though) and hope to do my bit for one of my favourite charities

 

[divegirl]

I could never say that an animal has to be put down, just a terrible thought =[

You know, MewMew... That is one of the Phrases I've probably heard more than any...."I'll never be able to do that... I just love animals too much"...and then my response would be that I probably hate them, I just love making these decisions.....

Believe me... the hundredth one you put down is not easier than the first.... I am the guy they trust, having fed them, bonded & played with them for a whole month before that dreadful day that you have to go in first to hold the animal (because they do not trust the vet - a stranger)... a real Judas!...

dont get me wrong, i HATE that animals have to be put down because someone got bored / fed up / annoyed with an animal, but at least you DID give them a good month, and its not like you do something to scare them, they go peacefully to sleep. at least they were with someone they trusted and loved. and YOU did that for them.

ok it may have been better for them to be rehomed, but at least they had a good month with you, not being beaten, or ran over etc. and you should feel proud of that, not just look at the side where you, no dount, feel like you took a life unnecessarily.

i am grateful that there is people like you willing to help these animals.

if i could do more i would. unfortunately, all my cats are from homes as kittens, 1; to integrate them better with existing pets, and 2; i live on a MAJOR road, so i'm not alowed to adopt.

I am however, going to be doing my bit for the Cats Protection League, a charity for cats that NEVER put a healthy cat down, not even feral cats. i will be fostering in a pen in the garden (sounds alot worse than it is though) and hope to do my bit for one of my favourite charities

I absolutley agree with Haych 100%.

If there weren't people like you in the world Ludwig....a lot more animals would die an un-happy and frightening death.
Out of all of my animals [5 dogs, two cats and 3 Degus [fish aside]], three are rescues and I made a decision this time last year that I would never buy a puppy or a kitten again.
November 7th '08 Sam my rescue Dane came into my life....It has taken my kids and I nearly the whole year since he arrived to rehabilitate him...tears and laughter kind of sum it up....lol.
God Bless you Ludwig for the work that you do

Lisa x

 

[aly_starh]

Oh, my Milo was from Cats Protection!! Thats a great Cat Shelter!!

I was thinking about being a cat fosterer, but then the rabbit came and the tanks.

Its a shame really, because people shouldn't really go and buy pets they know they wont be able to look after in the long term. Its not fair on the animals nor the people who then have to then help rehabilitate them, and get them used to normal life AGAIN.

 

[Haych]

Oh, my Milo was from Cats Protection!! Thats a great Cat Shelter!!

I was thinking about being a cat fosterer, but then the rabbit came and the tanks.

Its a shame really, because people shouldn't really go and buy pets they know they wont be able to look after in the long term. Its not fair on the animals nor the people who then have to then help rehabilitate them, and get them used to normal life AGAIN.

the thing is, some people dont know that they wont be able to keep an animal for life, there could be numerous reasons.

it could be heartbreaking to have to make that decision, some people may have to give up pets due to asthma, allergies or health deterioration to the point they cant care for themselves let alone an animal.

i myself, had to rehome TWO dogs in the last year due t not being able to trust them with my children, which broke my heart, and still does. i still miss simba to this day.

i do agree, people that do it cause theyre bored, is UTTERLY wrong, but the shelters are for people who just cant cope anymore too

 

[wendywc]

Ludwig, you're a bigger person than I. Please continue your work, as hard as it is --- it really is appreciated, by the animals and by your peers.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

I allways said and I maintain.... That What I did, I did for the animal and not for any person.... There is no greater joy than to successfully home an animal to a loving family, and on average, I think I homed slightly more than those I had to put down.... and every one I homed, was sterilised before the new owner took it thus stopping this factory of unwanted pets.

The motto of the National council of the SPCA here in SA is that "we speak for those who cannot speak for themselves"... I have told them many times, they cannot be further from the truth.... Have you seen an animal talk.... When they say "thank You", say say so with their whole being... the body, the tail, the face... No word in the English vocabualary can express the word "Thanks" as appropriately.

Also.... If you (as total stranger) leave your pet with me for a weekend to look after it... By Monday, when you arrive to collect this animal, he/she has told me so much about you, the owner... I know you as a person like I know the palm of my hand. At feeding time or when I attempt to pat the head, crouching in a corner is a clear indication that you are not a nice person....A dog beaming with confidence & always ready to play comes from a happy family where he is part of it. etc. etc..... They have an extended vocabualary.

 

[rebrn]

Hi Ludwig, I completely understand where you are coming from. I worked in a vet clinic and voluntered at an animal shelter in Toronto (a very large shelter and still over crowed) all through high school. It is a very tough thing to have to put an animal down for any reason. I have seen my share both at the vet clinic and shelter for reasons varing from illness to simply we have no room for them. Now while it is a little easier to justify putting a sick animal down rather then one that just isn't wanted, it is still hard no matter what. I personally have 5 cats and a dog. 2 of the cats and the dog were shelter animals, and the other 3 cats were street rescues, litterally, we found them on the street and took them in rather than bringing them to a shelter. Now that is not to say that I haven't brought my fair share of animals to a shelter. Let me clarify that, I have a uncanny ability to find strays, I catch them and bring them to a shelter. Now as much as I would love to keep all the animals I find, it is just not possible for me to keep every animal I find, ie, space, finances etc. I always try to bring strays to no kill shelters, or go through my vet and see if I can find them a home thus eliminating the shelter completely. But sometimes you do have to go to the regular SPCA/animal control. The way I look at it is this, in an ideal world, everyone would get thier pets spayed/neutered and everyone would be responsible pet owners and keep there pet for life. However, as that is a dream, I would rather see an amimal go to a shelter (even if it means eventually death) rather then on the street. At least at a shelter, they are warm and getting food, even if it is just for a few days before they are put down. Lots of things can happen to animals on the street, hit by cars, starving, torutured by mean people (yes I have seen the after math of such things). I have had cats in the past that have gone missing, unfortunately it happens espically if you have an outdoor cat, and I can assure you that I would rather think that my cat that went missing was picked up and at the bear minimum was brought to a shelter for a warm bed and a last meal before he was put down. I personally thank you for giving these animals food, shelter and love before they are put down. I know from experience that you cannot work in a shelter if you do not truely LOVE animals, and anyone who says differently has never stepped foot into a shelter. Thank you for your love and support for these helpless animals.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

some people may have to give up pets due to asthma, allergies or health deterioration to the point they cant care for themselves let alone an animal.

I did get quite a lot of those where people "donate" their animals because one of the kids have allergies of some kind, but then... 2 weeks later, the same family is back looking for a puppy....

The other classic is when people go on leave, they suddenly do not want the dog or cat any more, which of course I'm compelled to take.. (if they leave it in boarding, they have to pay the daily rates)... However, when they get back from holiday.... they pitch up looking for a puppy.... Can you believe it!!... I had my own little black book where these people get listed, and even if I have to put a dog down tomorrow,.... they will not get it at my kennels....

 

[Haych]

yes, but thats the liars, there is some truthful peopel out there too.

Kev's mom is the first category. She had 2 dogs, and a an african grey. she was told she had severe asthma, told to rehome the pets. she got rid of the bird (not hers, was scared of him), the bassett hound (also not hers - actually kev's but he wasnt allowed to take him when he moved) and kept HER beloved newfoundland dog.

she now has the newfie, an awful spoilt bulldog and a st bernard and a senegal parrot!!

 

[rebrn]

Your right those are the bad people, but there are a lot of good people out there too. My husband has asthma, so we really shouldn't have any pets, but that did not stop me from having 6 rescue animals in my home, and I wouldn't give them up for anything. In fact, if it weren't for the finances and space I would have an entire house full of pets. I would love to have a large farm dedicated to rescue animals of all kinds ... well when I win the lottery that dream will become a reality . But there are a lot of good people out there who are more than willing to do thier share (or more) for the animals.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Not everybody in the village was aware of it that we had no paid employees at the specific SPCA, (basically myself & the wife doing it for charity), so on many occassions, I'd get a phonecall at 03h00(am) in the morning by an irrate person complaining about a dog in his yard, & threatening me.. (because I'm the custodian of animals in the village) that if I do not come and remove it immediately, he's going to shoot the dog...

So, to spare the poor creature, I'd have to get dressed at that hour, go collect the dog and take it to the kennels..... Invariably, (being a small village) I would know the owner once I see the dog, and only phone him the next day at work, telling him where his dog is at and he is welcome to come & collect after work when I went to the kennels.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

... There is no greater joy than to successfully home an animal to a loving family,

On occassion, a family would walk in looking for a new pet, then amoungst all the pedigrees and cheerful, beautiful and healthy animals, they would go directly to a measly, miserable looking runt, which was already on my "euthanize List", and announce.. "we want this one".....

It is indescribable just how much I want to grab each member of that family and dish out hugs & kisses in gratitude.... (have to restrain myself).. THAT!! is what I call rescuing an animal from the shelter... (& invariably, families adopting the runts, never return the animal to our kennels). The pedigrees and the likes has (obviously) got a much better chance of getting a home, but they soon land up back in our kennels.