Jun 30, 2012

Today I Started Crying About I Cat I Didn't Even Know

Adopt Miller! He's at Broward AC in Pompano, FL.
This happened yesterday:

I just finished driving home from work. It's been a long week, topped off by an unusually busy Friday. My phone had been buzzing with Facebook notifications for the last hour or so while I was at the office, but I hadn't had a chance to check the messages.

My friends can wait, right? I don't need to know that one liked my status or that someone is at the bar for happy hour near me. I just wanted to finish up work and get going.

On the way home, my phone was still buzzing like it always does, so I checked my Facebook at the first red light.

Turns out it wasn't friends' silly updates; it was people commenting on a picture I had been tagged on -- one of a litter of five kittens hoping for rescue at my local Broward County Animal Care and Control.

It's not these five kittens I cried about.

I had been tagged on that photo days ago and had kind of kept track of how they were doing. They were slowly getting sicker, stuck in a shelter with germs, and four of the five were no longer available. Sad, of course. I hope I don't sound heartless when I say I'm tagged in these pictures a lot, and while I'll never get used to it, I just know it happens.

Adopt Chalse! He's the only one of his litter left. Please.
What got me, though, was the last seven or eight comments on the picture. Someone chimed in, in all caps, with this:

MARLIN IS BEING KILLED TONIGHT! URGENT PLEASE SOMEONE TAKE HIM... I WAS JUST THERE AND HE WAS CRYING. I CAN TRANSPORT LOCALLY AND 50$ IN DONATION. THIS IS HIS LAST HR. I CAN CALL AND PUT A HOLD.

And then the next comment by her:

I CAN GET MEDS FOR HIM...

None of the kittens pictured were named Marlin. The next commenter simply said: "Marlin?" To which my friend who originally tagged me answered:

"Marlin is a beautiful and gorgeous long-haired black cat waiting at Pompano."

I was in my car reading this. I have no idea why that got me, but I swear I had more than a few thoughts going through my head, and 80% of them involved me wondering if I could somehow sneak a third cat into my apartment and get away with it. There wasn't even a picture of Marlin, but between the description of him crying, the woman's urgent pleas for help and willingness to do everything she could to help him if someone could take him in and the fact that he was a gorgeous black cat... it was all of the sudden too sad.

The light turned green and I kept driving. My phone buzzed again, and I checked it at the next light.

HE IS NO LONGER WAITING... THIS WAS HIS LAST DAY :( I'VE BEEN TRYING HARD THIS AFTERNOON TO FIND SOMEONE WITH NO SUCCESS...

And I lost it and broke down.

Someone could have taken him. Someone with one cat could have had two. Someone who has never had a cat could have opened their home. Someone...

The next comment: "so he's gone? :( they euth'd him?"

I found this picture after I wrote this post. Marlin.
We didn't reach that someone. At BlogPaws this weekend, I think it was Petfinder founder, Betsy Saul, who said that while animal rescue is growing, we are overwhelmingly failing cats. There are too many. Not enough homes. Not enough marketing to get them into homes.

I don't know Marlin. I never met him, never saw a picture of him, but his last couple hours unfolded on my phone and I feel like I failed him. He didn't have a home or a family, but man, someone loved him enough to try that hard to save him. We need to try harder. I don't know how.

I have to do more. HAVE to. I don't know if I could have helped, but I wish I'd seen her post earlier instead of wasting away at my desk putting stupid numbers in a stupid spreadsheet.

Your Majesty is at Broward AC in Pompano, FL waiting! 
It's Friday night and I should probably be out, but instead I'm going to sit here and make a list of things I can do. Things shelters can do. Things my fabulous networks of friends and bloggers can do.

I haven't even taken off my work shoes yet and I had to sit down and write this post. It had to come out. Whatever I come up with, I hope you guys will help support me. You always do. :)

And last but not least, I just want to mention how amazing it is to have more than one cat. If people who had one cat would consider adopting a friend for him, imagine how many more lives we could save! I never planned on two, but I would never not have at least two again.

There's a great non-profit campaign called Pets Add Life that advocates for how much better pets make our lives, and the joys of multiple-pet households. We have to convince the world of this!

King has been at Pompano since May 1. Someone save him?
I was going to write a post today promoting their campaign, but Marlin happened, so that's what I felt the need to share instead. I hope P.A.L. is OK with me putting that spin on their campaign.

In the meantime, if it's OK with you all, I'm probably going to do a little more sharing of pets that need homes on the Cute's Facebook page. I usually try not to do it too much because it's usually a sad ending, but maybe we can make it so more of them are happy instead. We have to at least try, right?

And, please, I hope this doesn't cheapen the post -- because the words and the tears and the sentiment would have been here whether this was happening or not -- but I have to add this disclaimer: This post is sponsored by the Pets Add Life campaign and the American Pet Products Association. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the benefits and joys of pet ownership.

As always, thanks for the ears, Cuteheads. I'm a sappy cat lady sometimes.

P.S. All paws crossed, you guys, but I just checked, and as of Friday, 9:45 p.m., Marlin is still listed on Petharbor! I hope his link still works in the morning and maybe he somehow got held over and given another chance. If he is... We're going on an all-out Cute Mission to bust him out of there!

UPDATE Saturday, 9:55 am: Another comment on the post! More tears from me! This time, happy tears...

MARLIN IS STILL ALIVE AND I'M ON MY WAY TO PICK HIM UP NOW:) CATS EXCLUSIVE WILL BE TREATING HIM TODAY AND SUZANNE WILLIAMS HAS AGREED TO TAKE HIM AND TREAT HIM AFTERWARD.....PLEASE ANY DONATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED BY CALLING CATS EXCLUSIVE AT 954-975-8349. THANK YOU

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. Marlin is making it out OK! And not only that, but my fave shelter ever, Cats Exclusive, is going to treat him (he is apparently having trouble breathing and not eating well). Yay! If you want to help donate, let them know it's for Marlin and that Dorian from Your Daily Cute sent you. They know me there! Oh, HAPPY.

Some links to the people important in this post: 
-- My friend's tiny rescue, Good Karma Pet Rescue. She takes this pictures and helps spread the word about the animals that need homes.
-- Broward County Animal Care and Control. They have two locations, and the one in Pompano is not as well-known or supported so many cats don't make it out. All the cats pictured here (except poor Marlin) are available for adoption there. Please share!

UPDATE ON MARLIN, 7/23/12: He is no doing well. He got over his cold, but he is not eating on his own. Cat Crusade, the group caring for him, has set up this Chipin to raise funds for him to get x-rays and bloodwork done at the vet. If you can spare a few dollars, I know they would appreciate it. I really hope Marlin gets better. He really got to me, sweet thing.

UPDATE ON ONE OF THE KITTIES UP THERE, 7/23/12: Chalse was adopted by a friend of Cute! He traveled 1,455 miles to his new home with her in St. Louis and just arrived there last night. Read his story here (and about his new sister who was also saved by this wonderful woman!).

Please follow along with me and let's do this together! Subscribe to Your Daily Cute by email and get all the updates. Thank you!

43 comments:

  1. *hugs* I hope Marlin makes it out. I used to go to the NYCACC kill list sites and try to help, but seeing so many not make it just broke my heart and I decided I couldn't do it on a regular basis anymore. Sometimes you see cats whose listings are pulled and you think the worst, and then you discover a few days later (someone follows up and checks to see which cats made it out and which didn't) that someone came up and took them home without telling anyone about it. Those are always happy moments!  I know you just went to blogpaws so this is probably not an option right now but have you considered going to the no-kill conference?  http://www.nokillconference.org/  It's in Washington DC in August. Here is a link to the no kill advocacy group - they might have suggestions:

    http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a mom to my four baby girl cats (all rescues, ranging in age from 3 to 12) I can attest to the joy of multiple cat households! They are the light and laughter of my life. Many tears for the cats who never have the chance to be someone's light and laughter. Thank you for this post, although it made me sob in despair.

      Delete
  2. Tears for Marling... and for your caring and compassion.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oops, Marlin... such a regal black DLH \(=ΦωΦ=)/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ah, yeah. I don't think I can swing another conference so soon, but I will check it out for sure! Thank you.

    P.S. Marlin's link is still working!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you so much for making this post, Dorian. It's always difficult to realize that there are too many unwanted animals and not enough people to love them. But together we can help find those people and give these animals another chance!

    This totally reminded me of when I found the first rabbit I posted about months ago. I am still sad about it but it's the sad things that make us stronger. It gives us the opportunity to make a change for the better. It gives us the inspiration and the power to go on. So let's help Marlin get a place called home that he deserves! Let's do it for all the animals that need help! I will do whatever I can too! I've already shared this on my Twitter and I'll keep help spreading the word for whatever it's worth.

    You have a great heart and so do all of the other Cuteheads out there. Together we can make a difference!

    While it's not always a happy thing, maybe you should make an album or another tab to your blog so that every time you get info on an animal that needs help, you can still let everyone know! I follow Lilly the Pit Bull on Facebook and her owner started doing that for the Bullies in danger. So why not, right?! Let's turn social media into a tool for building the future for humans and animals alike!

    ~ Kieli ~

    ReplyDelete
  6. It is so hard not to have a houseful of cats, when there are so many that we know will die in shelters.  I certainly wish I could do more but it helps me to know that fostering for Texas CARES when they need me, frees up a space for another kitty that gets pulled from the kill shelters. Dorian, I think it would be awesome for you to share pets in need on Your Daily Cutes page. Think about it, your page has over 6000 likes and if even some of the folks on there share, the word can spread pretty fast on a kitty or doggy in need. And it doesn't even matter if we live in the state where the animal is, the word will reach far and wide. I am a huge believer that networking saves lives.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I volunteer for a rescue group in Austin TX and we put a lot of effort into trap, neuter, return.  TNR can make a difference but it is hard work and some people are against it (they just want the cats killed).  Last year the Austin Humane Society TRN'd over 5000 cats with the help of individuals and local rescue groups.  We are making a difference in the lives of these animals and stopping the breeding is the first step.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for all you're doing, Aupton! I am a huge advocate of TNR. Feral cats have such a special place in my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  9. A new update on the picture I was tagged in just came in!!! I added it to the post up there, too. More tears... but happy ones!
    MARLIN IS STILL ALIVE AND I'M ON MY WAY TO PICK HIM UP NOW:) CATS EXCLUSIVE WILL BE TREATING HIM TODAY AND SUZANNE WILLIAMS HAS AGREED TO TAKE HIM AND TREAT HIM AFTERWARD.....PLEASE ANY DONATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED BY CALLING CATS EXCLUSIVE AT 954-975-8349. THANK YOU 

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm so glad Marlin is now safe! Cheers to all who help kitties.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Whoooo Hoooo that Marlin is still alive and being treated. I am like you Dorian, I wish I could do more and maybe it does help to put them on Facebook. But at least you helped with Marlin.  That is the exact reason why I have so darn many cats because I will not put them in a shelter. And the TNR does work. It keeps a lot of cats out of the shelters if there aren't any kittens running around. We totally support you and would love to help in any way.

    ReplyDelete
  12.  So So awesome! I love it when everything works out

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yay he is a beauty    God bless you and all of those who help animals!!  spay and neuter   spay and neuter!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for working so hard, and caring and crying and trying to Be The Change...you do make a difference!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Typing through the tears falling on the keys.  So very glad Merlin is still here!  I cry daily over pets I never meet as I hit the share button constantly.  Hoping that since I cannot take any more , that someone  will read my posts and be able to. I have seven cats and one dog (down from 15 cats and six dogs) all special needs pets.  My landlady has put her feet down-no more animals.  God bless all those who care for and rescue homeless, unwanted and abused animals.  They all have a right to life.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my god...that gave me chills. So happy for Marlin!
    Yes,the rescue world can be very sad.I try to post as many as I can.If everybody would just do a little bit,it would help.Sadly so many don't.Thank you to all that do.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow.   So happy for Marlin!!   I felt so sad when I read about him yesterday.   Now it's a whole new day!!!   Wonderful!
    God bless everyone who helped Marlin.....and I hope when he
    gets his forever home, we will receive the good news!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I hope so, too! I will try and see if I can keep in touch with wherever he goes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So sad, but so necessary. Everyone so deeply involved in it has to be so strong. I respect every single one who does what they can to help!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Well said! And thank you for helping the babies that you do have. Special needs pets have a special place in my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  21. :) I wish I could do more, Teri!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Marg, you do a ton! If everyone did 1/4 of what you do, the world would be a better place. :) 

    ReplyDelete
  23. I bet he'd make a fine farm cat! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you Dorian, for opening your huge heart and sharing what was inside - the world could use more people like you. Simply too many cats....

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you Dorian for all you do.....thank you going for Merlin and your friends and your compassion.  I live in Canada and we have so many unwanted felines and ferals, rescue groups and it is an ongoing never-ending-job.  I have my 2 fosters left after my own 2 crossed and I just cannot afford more.  I would love to but I know I cannot go to rescue groups and shelters and walk away, knowing that I can't afford it.  It would kill me so I help wherever I can and now keep people company while trapping - I'm not a feeder/trapper any more (patella breaks prevent me from a lot of things even after recovery) but I help when I can as well as look after these 2 spoiled wonderful tabbies.  I could not be without cats and I cared for them outside for several years before I got them in.  Bless you and everyone else for all your efforts, tears and posts.  I know your predicament so I'm fortunate with having my cats - my landlords had 2 as well when they lived here.  Prayers, cares and purrs to all, and paw pats 'specially for Merlin Moo and Pimp.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Very thoughtful post, my dear Dorian. This is a subject that occupies a lot of my brain space. I've been spending a lot less time on Facebook lately because I can't handle the posts in my feed about cats that are going to be put down, especially when accompanied by a horrible story of cruelty and neglect. I understand the purpose of posts like that and the awareness they raise, the possible happy ending they enable... but when you're doing everything you can to help save animals, it's heartbreaking to contemplate the ones you can't save. Knowing Marlin is getting a second chance means we won today. Thank you for the good work you are doing, D- let's keep fighting the good fight. ;) 

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thank you for everything you do. I'm so glad Marlin made it out. I'm going to make a donation to Cats Exclusive.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dorian I know how you feel. I get those emails everyday, and more and more phone calls I had to change my "cat rescue" phone number. That's why I decided to get to the root of the problem through education. With more people aware, more people motivated to do something, anything, and more people involved, we can reverse this horrible trend. This is exactly why I'm starting a nonprofit www.pawsitivelyhumane.org
      We're looking for volunteers. Anyone?

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you Dorian for posting Marlin's story :) He is doing better and when he will be well enough ,he will be available for adoption at Pestmart.....He is very loving and a sweet boy....

    ReplyDelete
  30. PTL, and bless you, Dorian.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Aw, thanks, Heather! I'm so glad he made it out, too. I got a picture of him rolling around on the floor all happy last night... I need to add it to this post!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yes, let's keep at it! It's so hard to see the sad endings, but the more we try, the more happy ones we can see instead! :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Those of you on Facebook, here's a picture I got of Marlin last night, rolling around on the floor just so happy that he is safe!
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151055022442628&set=a.405826912627.184591.45275747627&type=1&theater 

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hooray! I wish Marlin the very best!

    A few years ago, we lost our dear 3-year old kitty unexpectedly and within a week, we were at the shelter giving another kitty a home (Hobbes). While some told me that was too "fast"--I knew that we had room in our house AND our hearts for another kitty and I wasn't aware of the time allowed for grieving. 

    I still grieved for our Henry, but we had a kitten to hold while we did.  I encourage EVERYONE who can, to give an animal a home.  

    ReplyDelete
  35. I never knew that's when you got Hobbes, Lin. What a sweet story. You're right, though... as soon as it may seem, saving another life is a great way to honor your cat, and it will help with the grieving process to have a little extra bundle of love in the house. <3

    ReplyDelete
  36. Completely beautiful....sooooo happy that Marlin's story ended positively!!! Love how you handled the PALS post...just wonderful...yes, your blogging friends ARE behind you on whatever you come up with!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh Dorian, the tears had started to roll when reading abt Marlin - then I learn he has had a reprieve!!!!  I will make a small $$$ afterwards (am abt to feed my "mob."    How I wish there were more people like us that cared - REALLY CARE about these poor little things that sit in cages for weeks (months) sometimes, and they are the LUCKY ones,  that are taken in by a no-kill shelter, and given many more chances for another home.
    Without exception ALL of these cats are homeless due to bloody selfish, uncaring humans that just discard them for the shallowest of reasons. I got tired of seeing "moved to unit" (you guys call them condo's or apartment) So what if you moved "to a unit" !!! I would live in a tent before I would surrender any of my babies.  Used to be a foster Mom for our RSPCA - the timid ones don't get homes, do they? And they stay ....... & stay!!!! Keep me poor but fill my home with so much love & fun - you know what I am saying. I am in Australia - have all the same problems here, far too many poor little things brought into the world without a care for finding loving people to take on a 16-18 year commitment. We are still hoping for COM PULSORY DESEXING - PET Shops sell them at ridiculously high prices - vaccinated & m'chipped since that is compulsory - but never desexed, and will never bother to follow-up people to make sure they get desexed. This is the core of our problem, and of course the horror of puppy mills. UGH!!!!!
    Thank goodness MARLIN has had another lifeline. And thank goodness for people like you Dorian. Much love to you and your 4 legs babies,  Victoria Pinkerton  (Lake Cathie NSWAustralia)

    ReplyDelete
  38. I feel the same way as you, Victoria. I would live in a tent before I ever even thought about giving up Pimp or Moo. There is nothing in the world that would make me do that!

    There are a lot of us that really care... we just need to work together as much as we can like this to spread the word and make things happen. Little by little, we can make a big difference! I just know it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I think it's wonderful what you do for the cats. I wish you much success and hope that people will learn from your great generosity to the cats you save. I have 3 and a 4th has just started his moving in activities. I think people drop off cats and kittens in my development. My other kitties all seem to like the little guy who is about a year old and likes to sleep wrapped around my head with his paws in my hair.

    ReplyDelete

You know what would be really cute? If you left a comment... :)

More cute posts