Working with Animal Shelters and Rescue Organizations is Not Always Wonderful

I've been a licensed Volunteer Wildlife Rescue person for decades and I do fostering for a feral cat organization. The whole episode with Ellen DeGeneres really touched a nerve. I love fostering the kittens and socializing them. I manage to stay comfortable with their coming to me for awhile and then moving on. This has taken a bit of up and down emotionally for me.

A really difficult issue for me is the adoption process. I know all organizations require a certain amount of paperwork before you can go home with a new animal. Almost all my dogs except one came from Shelters. I never had a problem adopting, but of course, being Animal Rescue I allways had an edge. I completely agree with some amount of background check and the proviso that you bring the animal back to the Shelter, not pass it on to someone, if you cannot keep it.

The particular oganization I work with requires those two issues be satisfied but also insists you have a name of someone who will take the animal in case of your demise. This strikes me as a bit much since most of the people in the organization including the gal who runs it have as many as 30 animals that they keep permanently. I can't imagaine they have anyone lined up to take these animals.

You must agree not to decalw the animal you're adopting.The declawing a is being touted as torture but I have had cats declawed without any damage to their personalities, a claim the organizations make. They say it's extremely painful. Possibly, but its done under anesthesia and again, my cat came home happy and comfortable from her surgery. If it stands in the way of being adopted and avoids having the animal euthanized than why make it an issue. I'd give up my nails to be allowed to live. SPaying and neutreing is not soemthign your pet just comes home from all bouncy but it's done. It has to be from the ovepopulation stand point..