BEWARE - NOT ALL RESCUES ARE NO-KILL
IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.
You need to find your cat a new home, but all of the rescues you've called are "full" and you'd never consider taking your beloved feline to a shelter where at best she'd spend her last 6 days in a cage before being euthanized. Finally, you reach a sweet lady who says she can take your cat and get it adopted in to a nice home. She tells you everything you've been wanting to hear. Just call her friend, who will have you bring your cat to her in public parking lot or bring your cat over to the sweet lady's apartment, where her friend will pick it up later. What a relief, or so you think. When you bring your cat to them, they make you sign a "release form", that you quickly sign, not reading the paragraph that states you are giving them the right to euthanize your cat for any reason, including lack of space. They tell you not to worry, that your kitty will be fine, that they have a nice family who's been looking for a cat just like yours and so you give her one last kiss before sending her off with this stranger. The following day, you call the sweet lady because you've changed your mind and want your cat back, but she tells you that your cat has already been adopted and she won't give you the new owner's information so you can call to find out how your cat is doing or even get a picture of her.
This is not a fictional story, it happens every day in Orange County and all over the United States. Unsuspecting pet owners, desperate to find a new home for their pet, unknowingly give their beloved cat or dog to someone who is just going to euthanize it. The people posing as "rescuers" are good at what they do and know how to con people. They often have non-profit status, vet references and consider themselves to be no-kill, because they don't actually do the killing. They just refer you to the person who kills. They tell you everything you need to hear to trust them, even though everything they are telling you is a lie.
PLEASE BEWARE AND REALIZE THE FOLLOWING -
~~ The reason most NO-KILL rescues are "full" or have waiting lists is because they don't kill the animals in their care.
~~ They can only take in new pets when the ones they have get adopted.
~~ Most rescues or humane societies that can take animals, are able to do so, only because they've killed someone else's pet to make room for the new ones.
~~ There is a difference between "no-kill" and "humane".
~~ "Humane" rescues think it is okay to euthanize animals because it is a humane death.
~~ People taking "free to good home" pets usually torture or sell them for scientific research.
~~ There are no "Free Sanctuaries" for feral cats. If there were, they'd be over-flowing with cats needing to get in. Real cat sanctuaries have relinquishment fees starting at $2500.
Helpful tips for finding your pet a new home -
~~ Don't wait until the last moment! It takes time for a pet to be adopted.
~~ Start contacting No-Kill rescues the instant you know your pet needs to find a new home.
~~ The more time your pet has, the more likely it will be adopted.
~~ Ask a No-Kill rescue to list your pet on Petfinder.com for you. This will increase the number of potential adopters who see your pet.
~~ If possible, ask the rescue to also screen potential adopters for you.
~~ Make sure your pet is spayed/neutered, felv-fiv tested and up to date with all needed medical care and vaccines.
~~ Have all medical records available for the rescue and/or adopters.
~~ Put flyers in Veterinary Offices and at Pet Groomers. These are the places you'll find good pet guardians.
~~ Charge an adoption fee. A "free" pet has no value and can easily be discarded or abandoned.
~~ If a person can't afford the adoption fee, how will they be able to afford medical care and supplies when need?
~~ Do a home delivery of your pet. Don't let the new adopters pick her up. Take the time to go to their home and see if you really want your pet living there.
~~ If it's not an acceptable home, don't leave your pet. It's okay to change your mind and wait for a better home.
~~ If your cat or dog is a specific breed, contact that breed rescues. "Breed-specific" rescues are usually less crowded than "all-breed" rescues.
~~ How to Find homes for Pets by Best Friends