Numerous Cats Saved From a Hoarder Situation
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
August 31, 2007 10:05pm CST
Its so great to hear good news for a change about situations like this. No doubt many of you have heard of pet hoarding situations...That is some pet owner has more than a suitable number of pets, sometimes running into the hundreds.
Sadly, most times in such situations, agencies like Animal,Care and Control (of whom I hate) seizes the pets where as you can guess most are euthanized....there are just too many pets in overcrowded shelters and pet rescuers can't accommodate so many pets either as they are overflowing with pets as well
Well here's a happy story for a change...Yes this is about a hoarder situation, but this time, the Utah based pet sanctuary Best Friends came to the aid and rescue of a hoarder situation where .."114 cats, 2 small dogs, and a handful of pocket pets..." were taken in by Best Friends.
For those of you who don't know or are familiar with Best Friends, while in Utah, they rescue and take in all kinds of pets worldwide...they for instance took in many pets that had been abandoned during the Katrina disaster.
Here's the story in full:
http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&mode=entry&entry=BE431AC4-BDB9-396E-9AA73EE8387A0D50
4 people like this
12 responses
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
1 Sep 07
It's so nice that there are organizations like Best Friends, pyewacket. I did hear about the wonderful job they did in rescuing the pets after Katrina. People who hoard pets do it for the best reason in the world-their love of animals. It is sad to see it become an out-of-control situation. I have seen stories like this on our local news.To some folks(especially the elderly), these pets are the only souls they feel will love them.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
1 Sep 07
That is just horrible, pyewacket! I don't think I could stand to see that video. I wish people wouldn't try to take on more than they can handle. It never turns out well in the end.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
1 Sep 07
Oh it is so good to hear that animals have some people looking out for them, with all that is going on in this world these people are so much in need, good on them, they are what I call earth angels...all animals deserve to be loved...
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Sep 07
Yes Best Friends is one of those angels of the world for pets
1 person likes this
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
7 Sep 07
We need more pet rescue organizations like this. We were lucky to adopt our 2 oldeer cats from an animal shelter while they were only 9weeks old. We love them to pieces. The little one we recently rescued was dropped off with his 3brothers and 1sister at a barn. The person who brought them asked the horse barn owner if she could find them good hmes and I voulenteered to take one in to my home.
We love our cats. I eventually want to adopt a small dog and I will be going to ony one of the local shelters to do that. I just have to make shure that the dog is kid friendly and cat friendly and all will be good unless I can get lucky with a puppy. One can wish.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Sep 07
I know I really wish there were more organizations like Best Friends, and it was so great of you to adopt your two older cats from a shelter...just think you saved the lives of those kitties...same with the one from the barn... Should make you feel good about doing that :)
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I've read the story and am so grateful for these people whom love animals that much to take them in and fight for them. We need more of these kinds of people in our world. I don't believe in putting an animal down for the sake of over population. I believe in spaying and neutering them all and let them live out their lives as they were meant to be. They didn't ask to be born so why should they pay the altimate price? Most don't live to ripe old age anyway. So why not let them live out their lives and once they're gone, say in 20 years, we'll have a handle on the population then.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Sep 07
There are actual grants out there one can try for, for people who are interested in creating some kind of pet rescue...I only did a quick search..I do know there are more available and when I find them again I'll give it to you..but here's one link..and best friends is listed amongst them
http://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/animals.html
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yes, there needs to be more organizations like Best Friends...too bad they just have the one place in Utah,...wish they would have a place in each state here.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I've ALWAYS ALWAYS wanted to build an animal sanuary for cats and small dogs but don't know how to go about doing it. I know it would have to be all volunteer work except for the veterinarian but how do I get the funds to start such a thing? I would be in seventh heaven if I could live out my dream because I love animals so very much. Maybe some day I'll realize my dream.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
7 Sep 07
Yes I am happy organizations like that exist and I know of pet hoarding and how horrific it is. Many of the pets are completely malnourished, diseased and most are beyond saving (I'm not mentioning the final outcome). But in other cases its just a convenience issue and that is also pretty sick. I'm glad organizations are reversing both of the things I mentioned. Good for Best Friends.
I'm glad there are some people paying attention to things like this and others spending their time trying to help the victimized animals.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Sep 07
I lived with a pet hoarder unfortunately, my mother...a very, very long and complicated story...I was lucky that I was able to find pet rescuers who were willing to take the cats in...I now only have two cats --fortunately our cats were far from malnourished and in tip top shape only due to my care...my mother who created the problem did nothing to contribute in helping the cats...even though she created the problem, she left it all up to me to care for them...gee, nice huh?
Here's a link to my story about pet hoarding in general
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/357371/living_with_a_pet_hoarder.html
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
4 Sep 07
It's great that these cats were helped. It's so sad how some people take on more pets than they can take care of, and then none of the pets get proper care.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
That's so true....but a pet hoarder often has severe emotional problems...that's why they take in so many pets
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
1 Sep 07
thanks for the link.It's so good to hear of a story where animals are being rescued and saved in these situations instead of being put down.Good job,pye!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Sep 07
Thanks ever! Yes nice to know those kitties are safe :)
The one in the picture reminds me of my Shelby that I had
1 person likes this
@ChaJudLeoBit (1656)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I have been donating $ to them for years, when I can. I get their newsletter and have always wanted to go visit. I think they are a great group of people dedicated to helping our furry friends. I know that whenever they are involved, things will be ok.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I would love to donate to them..I do get mailings from them
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I do not understand the illness of hoarding but it does happen and than god for agencies like Best Friends have the means who to handle all these pets.
I have three pets and that is enough for me. LOL
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Sep 07
Well you know the situation I had..my mother was a pet hoarder and yes it is an illness, especially when the person thinks it's normal to have so many pets. I now only have my two babies and they're fine by me too..and pampered brats to boot :)
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I remember hearing about that organization during the whole Katrina disaster. Obviously my heart when out to those people but I cried when I saw pictures of the abandoned pets, I could just imagine how horrible their parents must have felt at having to leave them behind and how scared the pets must have been. Best Friends is a great organization and I had totally forgotten that they existed, thanks for the story!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yes I saw numerous pictures of those poor abandoned pets and I couldn't help thinking how selfish it was for them to leave them behind like that...no doubt these people took other "possessions" that they thought more important than their pets.
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
1 Sep 07
what a great organization,and those people are so wonderful for what they do,to care and show love to all animals.animals need just as much love as us,if i could i would adopt every one.what a nice story and a great ending for those pets.take care.pattie
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Sep 07
Yes it is a great organization --its been around a long time..sure wish there were more like it
