Tiger Update (was: Animal Cruelty)

[Jilly_in_VA]

Tiger seems to realize in some way that he is safe and that there are people who care. He now comes to the front of his kennel when spoken to softly and actively invites petting, at least from Natalie and sometimes from others. Yesterday he allowed me to scratch his ears through the bars. I almost cried!

We have realized that he is definitely blind in his right eye, and we think that the vision in his left eye may be limited. This would make him a special needs kitty and, of necessity, an indoor cat. We do, however, think he can be adopted by the right person. I've proposed to the Animal Care Manager that we hold a Special Needs adoption event and she is actively considering it. We recently took in a little calico kitty who is also blind in one eye, and we have some other animals with special needs...one eye, deafness, health conditions, advanced age, etc...that would require adopters with special understanding. We know they're out there and we just need to put these animals front and center.

[femmedem]

1. I think a special needs adoption event is a great idea.

If I had any room at the inn and an animal rescue organization held one, I'd attend and probably come home with someone. And one of my friends adopted a fully deaf dog and a chihuahua with a broken pelvis. You're right: there are definitely people out there who know that they might be an animal's last best chance and know that they have the time to give that animal the love it needs.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

2. If I had more income

I would love to love a special needs kitty.

Dont have enough income to get the little one the vet care he would need. Or a prosthetic.

Oh well I hope us disabled people on SSI get a real raise some day and food stamps not getting cut,or housing not going up to take the raise away. I hate that shell game they play with ones income and benifiets.

It makes getting a new kitty and affording to care for it harder.

[Jilly_in_VA]

4. This particular kitty

will not need much except a loving home (preferably just one or two adults) where he can stay inside and not get lost, regular meals, and the ordinary amount of vet care. Aside from not seeing well, his problems are mostly psychological and stem from neglect.

Some of our other special needs kitties are seniors, or do have more serious health problems, or may be deaf or missing a limb. Likewise the pups. "Special needs" doesn't always mean extra vet bills. In our area, as in many, Tractor Supply has regular "Pet Vet" Saturdays where, for pretty nominal fees, you can get your pet vaccinated and checked out. I think some of the "big box" pet stores do too.

[Bayard]

3. Subaru has been running ads for special needs pets

I'm respecting them more all the time. They've also pledged to plant a million trees. (no--I don't work for them, and I own a Chevy).