Every animal that passes through our door has a story. Many are heartbreaking and all are sad. Surrendered because they are no longer wanted or because the family is moving. Some surrender them because they have had a baby, while others just drop them off on the road side somewhere.
Then there are those that can’t afford to spay and neuter so they just let their pet keep reproducing. To the compassionate person, the person that is a true animal lover, none of these reasons are acceptable. What is acceptable is thinking about the decision you make when you get an animal. It is a lifetime commitment not just a whim. Education on responsible pet ownership is a powerful thing. The animals you choose to bring into your life are living, breathing souls and they rely on you. You are their voice.
With all that said, I would like to tell you about a cat named Charlotte. Charlotte is a sweet cat whose owner never spayed her. She is about 1-year-old. Her owner decided she no longer wanted Charlotte because she had just had a baby and so she opened the door and let Charlotte go.
Charlotte had her first litter of kittens and she wasn’t even a year. Only knowing the home where she lived, Charlotte did not leave. She stayed because that was her home. Sadly, Charlotte and her two kittens were relocated by the owner meaning they were taken to a location and dropped off.
Surprisingly Charlotte made her way back home, but one of her kittens got hit by a car and died. Charlotte now had one kitten and was pregnant again. There was no one feeding her or caring for her so the neighbor stepped up to the plate and started feeding Charlotte and looking for a solution to Charlotte’s problem.The Ark was called and shortly after that she was delivered to us along with her kitten.
A few weeks after Charlotte arrived she delivered five healthy babies. Keep in mind that this was her second litter in five months. Yes it can happen that quickly. The good thing is that Charlotte was in a clean quiet place to have her babies. A place where her food or water dish is never empty and it is a safe place where she is loved. Her kitten Cupcake gets to be a kitten and not worry about predators or where her next meal will come from. She is safe and will get spayed and then look for her new forever home. The sad part is that none of this should have ever happened. Charlotte and Cupcake deserved so much more.
Charlotte and her new babies are doing well and once they are weaned from her she will be spayed. No more kittens for this sweet girl instead nothing but good things. A home where she will be loved and respected and taken care of.
While we can’t change the circumstances of Charlotte’s sad beginning to life, we can make sure that she has a happy ending. She deserves that. Please if you are thinking about getting a pet, educate yourself, make sure you can afford a pet and most importantly neuter and spay your pet.
Thank you for your continued support and as always, thank you for reading our column.
The Ark Animal Sanctuary is located on 101 Old Woodstock Road. To contact Lorraine Monfils call 532-7387 or check out their Facebook page.
