Little Lost Souls

Two days ago, my daughters brought a pitiful looking little furrball into my office.  Of course, the first words out of their mouths were, "Can we keep her????"

Poor little Ginger, as we named her, was starving and very weak.  She had a bad cold, and her eyes were caked shut, and she had fleas.  The girls had found her out on the sidewalk.  I don't know if she got lost from her original home, or if she was dumped, an unwanted lost little soul.

After two days of care, Ginger is improving rapidly.  She's perky, eating well, playing a bit, and she LOVES to be loved!  The first day we had her, I could almost feel the happiness in her because she had a nice warm blanket to sleep on, food to eat, water to drink, her eyes were cleaned out, and she had children to pet her and love her.

Our older cat, Caramel, also showed up out of nowhere, but she was in much better shape.  She just appeared in the front yard one day and decided to stay.  

There are so many animals without homes, needing someone to care for and love them, and they ask so little in return.  A huge problem in communities is feral animals breeding without limitations, or pet owners who allow their pets to breed and then don't know what to do with the offspring if they can't give them away or keep them.  All too many of these animals end up on the streets, and if young, they often die because they aren't able to care for themselves.

People who start feeding strays can help the problem by catching the animals and having them spayed or neutered and then releasing them again.  The animals will be happier and healthier, and there won't be two or three litters of new babies to feed and care for.  No-kill shelters can refer people to resources that can help with spaying and neutering, and may be able to take in the strays and help them to find adoptive homes. 

The no-kill shelters are always in need of donations (both money and food/pet care items) and volunteers.  Our local shelter for cats and kittens (SartOhio.org) does an absolutely wonderful job caring for these animals.   But they have over 300 cats and kittens in need of a forever home.  

Sue, the director of SART, posted a very thoughtful note about responsible pet ownership here:  https://www.facebook.com/notes/sart/pets-trash/10150315603550821

Ginger was lucky that my girls found her and we were able to take her in.  She'll have her forever home with us.  But many aren't so lucky.  If you love animals, please get involved any way you can in helping these creatures to have the care and love they deserve.  Find out about your local shelters and help out if you can.  

Thanks for reading!