You can do your part to prevent more cats and dogs from being abandoned to the streets or entering shelters by spaying or neutering them. In Rhode Island, it is the law that all owned cats must be spayed or neutered by six months of age. Cats can be spayed or neutered earlier, as they can start reproducing at five months of age.
We know we must continue to focus on the severe overpopulation of companion animals, especially cats. We must educate the public about the tragic results of not spaying and neutering companion animals, and we must find the funding to assist people with the high cost of this surgery. People must learn of the cruelty of abandoning their pets in the streets when they move away or have too many to care for. Local ordinances limiting the number of animals a person can own, or making it illegal to help a stray or abandoned animal will not stop the overpopulation. We all know people who have only the "correct" number of pets because they abandon or give away all their unwanted litters of kittens and pups. We also know people who have more animals than the local ordinance allows because they rescue the homeless ones; however, their animals are well cared for and spayed or neutered. They are not adding to pet overpopulation and they are not a nuisance to the neighbors because they are responsible pet owners.
Another concern is the proliferation of "bully breed" dogs, used in fighting by cruel and unscrupulous people. Pounds are filled with dogs that are sweet and trustworthy dogs that will never find a home because they are tainted with the reputation of dogs that have been misused by criminals. Bad people must be prevented from owning these dogs, and we must restore these dog breeds to their previous status as family pets. A few reliable experts are now volunteering to evaluate the temperaments of dogs in the shelters, and to provide obedience training to unruly dogs of any breed. These experts can help distinguish the trustworthy dogs from the irretrievably damaged dogs, so that the trustworthy ones have a chance at adoption. Below you can see a video which shows that these dogs, when raised properly, can be kind and loving.
R E S C U E D
Another day, another rescue.
This time it’s the brothers Teddybear and Honeybear. This is another true rescue story. Deserted last winter in Providence by people who moved, a gorgeous full grown Russian Blue feline showed up very hungry. His trust was gained the usual way by feeding him. After that, it wasn’t long before he came with his brother tagging behind. But the brother didn’t look well and wasn’t trusting. The rescuer decided to trap them as closely together as possible without scaring the sickly one away. Having been a rescuer for years and knowing the behavior of cats, she was successful and VSA was called in to help. Teddybear and Honeybear were examined by Dr. Annette Rauch of Care for Animals and PAAWSRI. Both cats were very young. Honeybear had to be treated for parasites and both cats were feline leukemia/aids tested, neutered, and vaccinated. VSA WAS ABLE TO PAY FOR THEIR VETERINARY CARE BECAUSE OF YOUR HELP. PEOPLE BREAK RHODE ISLAND LAW WHEN THEY ABANDON ANIMALS, AND THESE PEOPLE ARE IN GOOD MEASURE THE CAUSE OF OUR SERIOUS HOMELESS CAT PROBLEM. No matter how beautiful, or not, companion animals are left behind, mostly cats, because it is easier to just put a cat out and walk away. If only we could convince RIDEM and our cities and towns that the NO TURN IN POLICIES at the municipal shelters do not work, are wrong and must be changed, we would reduce abandonment, suffering, and births. It seems like it’s only good old common sense, but until WE THE PEOPLE bring this change it will not happen. Some Rhode Island humane organizations like VSA realize how wrong the NO TURN IN POLICY is and know that it would be changed if WE THE PEOPLE and the humane community in Rhode Island insisted on it. But until that day comes, rescue will be common place occurrence for the rescuers who, knowing or unknowingly, break RIDEM’S BROKER LAW which remains in effect. RIDEM should be called upon to stop making lawbreakers out of rescuers and go after the real lawbreakers by enforcing the abandonment laws. By the way, Teddybear and Honeybear were placed by PAAWSRI with a Warwick family who said: we are in love with our fur babies . . . they are just what we needed to complete our family.” We know what the consequences would have been for these two unsterilized cats and their progeny. YOU, OUR DONORS, are the lifeline for homeless animals because you are part of the team of good Samaritans: the rescuers, veterinarians like Dr. Annette Rauch and her caring staff and VSA. |
Every year at this time VSA brings a rescue story.
THIS IS BEN’S STORY One morning this past summer a forlorn and hungry long-haired tiger cat found his way into a friendly yard in Providence. This was the safe yard of an elderly woman who had rescued many abandoned cats in her neighborhood. The story is symbolic of rescues carried out by caring people all over our state. The woman fed the cat and called him Ben, who there after came every day. Ben was frightened and very thin but otherwise appeared ok. After a month, Ben began to trust the woman and became friendly. She made physical contact with him by brushing him. She knew she couldn’t bring her rescue to Providence Animal Care & Control because they told her that they don’t take turns-ins. The woman turned for help to VSA who brought him to Care for Animals in Warwick. Dr. Annette Rauch examined him and found him to be an undernourished, unaltered male under three years who should be helped. Even after going it alone for almost three years, he remained sweet and affectionate. VSA had Ben tested, neutered and vaccinated. Dr. Rauch agreed to take Ben into her non-profit shelter, PAAWSRI, where he was soon adopted by a loving family. YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT ENABLED VSA TO TAKE BEN OFF THE STREETS. This rescue raises questions that humane organizations face continuously. Perhaps there wouldn’t be a need for the recently passed BROKER’S LAW that was requested by RIDEM if the cities and towns changed the no turn-in policy which greatly adds to the homeless and free roaming cat problem. Therein may also be a partial answer to lessening the threat of rabies and the sad birth of kittens destined to be feral. It is not logical to pass a law that confounds the problem of homeless cats. We must ask our elected State Senators and Representatives to revisit and reverse the BROKER’S LAW because although it is intimidating, it is also likely unenforceable. We must all stand together to eliminate inhumane laws and policies that prevent the decent treatment of homeless animals. Our voices can bring change. Please continue to help VSA close the gaps left open by inhumane state and local policies that help to perpetuate cruelty, suffering and overpopulation. VSA is forever grateful to you for your kind and generous support |
