Writing this article, I am looking out the window at all the snow on the ground and all the snow coming down – getting old fast!
The cats do not even want to think of going out; I have to push them out, and just as I close the door they are scratching to get back in. All except for one, which I say is a little “touched” because she will go out in any snow and completely go crazy, running and diving in the white stuff like she can’t get enough of it!
She will come back in the house covered in white. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t leave my cats out for too long, just enough time that I think they have done their business and then they can come back in. They stay inside at night with a litter box and are outside as much as possible during the day, with no litter box inside.
They are up to date on their shots, rabies included, and also get wormed twice a year. All this because they do go outside often, and during the warm months they stay outside for very long periods. They are also spayed or neutered. Most have come here from different stray cat calls when I did animal control in Linneus.
Now I have slowed down to a stop when it comes to taking cats in, mainly because we have enough for now, I think (that could change if the right one comes along again). As long as I have Deb with me when we go to, say, Ark Animal Sanctuary, we look but leave without, which is a good thing for now. If I come home with any more animals I might need a place to stay.
If you have animals and they go outside, then I do believe that they should be up to date on their shots and be “fixed.” This is another responsibility thing when you have animals. If you don’t, then you are contributing to the ever-increasing problem of stray animals and rabies and other so-called health issues. This is one of the main reasons why we must have Animal Control. If you cannot afford the cost of the shots, then contact your animal shelter. They have programs that can help you with the cost.
Most have by now heard about the Ark Animal Sanctuary burning down and the loss of the cats inside. Now it is time to begin the process of coming together to rebuild. By now it might even be OK to say that the message of the Ark Animal Sanctuary has been heard all around the world; I think so. It would be so amazing if donations from all over the world came in and the Ark was rebuilt with no cost to them.
This could become a reality. It’s an animal thing; most can relate to it. Go on Ark Animal Sanctuary’s Facebook page and share some of their articles about their misfortune and their need for help. Don’t let the spark go out.
All shelters, to my knowledge, are there to help the animals — all. So, would it not be the norm for all shelters to drop all their indifferences for now and come together as one to help another in need? Some shelters have bigger accounts or money on hand to do with as they please. They are always saying they are there to help their community.
For those of you out there who don’t know, all shelters are not equal. Some have enough to consider and act on shipping animals or rescuing animals from out-of-state shelters. This is OK; I don’t see anything wrong with it, as long as it will not interfere with our own, such as overcrowding or refusing anyone from our community the help they need for animals.
The Ark is part of our community and has played a major role in the health and welfare of all the animals in our community. Why would anyone, even our other shelters, not help another in need when in the long run it comes down to even helping themselves when they help another?
When it comes down to it, the Ark has kept other shelters from becoming overcrowded, and we know from past experience what may come from overcrowded shelters. This may go over with a big “bang” from some (another shelter), but it must be said and I hope that if there is disagreement in what is said here, then let’s hear it. For or against, it makes no matter, as long as the outcome produces results.
Thanks for reading.
Joe Rodweller of Linneus, a certified animal control officer and member of the Maine Animal Control Association, operates Maine Animal Control with his wife Debbie. He can be reached at 538-1347 or via e-mail at debjoe347@yahoo.com.
