Animal Welfare Professionals

Scenario: You intake a cat already microchipped to another rescue after being told by current feeder said cat was left behind in a move a few months ago. You give courtesy text to the adoptive parent and call  the rescue that microchipped the cat,  and offer to find the cat a new home. They decline stating that the cat's owner wants the cat back. How do you conclude this scenario or how would you think the scenario play out?

As the "president, " owner/operator of a cat rescue that places priority on the welfare of cats above all else, I find it difficult to digest a once adopted cat dumped or left behind by their adoptive family. Our policy is to take the cat back into our rescue, update vaccines and adopt said cat to a family that will not just dump or leave the cat behind should a life event happen that makes it impossible to continue caring for their cat.  I understand that there are times when unforeseen circumstances can cause a decision you never thought you would have to make. Upon adopting a cat from my rescue, we state that the cat can be returned, vocally & in writing. We send a text a few days after adoption to see how things are going. We also stay in contact through emails and follow up texts a few times a year. We also make it clear that our tolerance for dumping cats is zero. If one of our cats is found, we investigate to see if there was any attempt to find that cat through PawBoost, Lost My Kitty, social media groups, etc…  We also contact the owner. To the best of our ability, we try to find out why the cat was not in the care of the owner. Once evidence, or lack thereof, is gathered and analyzed, we decide the future fate of the cat. This being said, the cat in the scenario is real and the conclusion the microchipping organization came to was to return the cat to the owner after he spent months outside being fed by caring people, who informed me that he was left behind from an apartment down the street.  I did not think the owner should be given back a cat that they did not even try to find. He is still with us months after the fact, in foster with one of our elderly fosters who will keep him indefinitely. We cannot change the microchip to our rescue in order to adopt him out because, after being contacted by our rescue and calling the other rescue,  the previous owner put in a lost pet request. I specifically asked if the lost pet request was made before our found pet notification was placed,  and the answer was, yes. I cannot give the cat back to previous  owners because I cannot be privy to his welfare once given back. My fear is that he will once again be on the street to fend for himself. I cannot conscientiously allow this to happen. 

Hi Lauren , 

Through my experience , it's best to decide based on facts and not feelings,

It's  natural for us to feel keeping this animal away from there owner is best. Maybe this owner needs assistance with building a cat patio , maybe this person needs help feeding the cat , maybe this person did abandon or dump . However a person would not file a lost report if they intentionally neglected a cat .

Fact is this owner lost there cat somewhere somehow , we are not one to judge that owner as you do not know the truth.

Have you had a discussion directly with the owner of this cat and provided that owner options and or resources? 

Cats love their people and original home environments more than being bounced around . 

Scenario: You intake a cat already microchipped to another rescue after being told by current feeder said cat was left behind in a move a few months ago. You give courtesy text to the adoptive parent and call  the rescue that microchipped the cat,  and offer to find the cat a new home. They decline stating that the cat's owner wants the cat back. How do you conclude this scenario or how would you think the scenario play out?

As the "president, " owner/operator of a cat rescue that places priority on the welfare of cats above all else, I find it difficult to digest a once adopted cat dumped or left behind by their adoptive family. Our policy is to take the cat back into our rescue, update vaccines and adopt said cat to a family that will not just dump or leave the cat behind should a life event happen that makes it impossible to continue caring for their cat.  I understand that there are times when unforeseen circumstances can cause a decision you never thought you would have to make. Upon adopting a cat from my rescue, we state that the cat can be returned, vocally & in writing. We send a text a few days after adoption to see how things are going. We also stay in contact through emails and follow up texts a few times a year. We also make it clear that our tolerance for dumping cats is zero. If one of our cats is found, we investigate to see if there was any attempt to find that cat through PawBoost, Lost My Kitty, social media groups, etc…  We also contact the owner. To the best of our ability, we try to find out why the cat was not in the care of the owner. Once evidence, or lack thereof, is gathered and analyzed, we decide the future fate of the cat. This being said, the cat in the scenario is real and the conclusion the microchipping organization came to was to return the cat to the owner after he spent months outside being fed by caring people, who informed me that he was left behind from an apartment down the street.  I did not think the owner should be given back a cat that they did not even try to find. He is still with us months after the fact, in foster with one of our elderly fosters who will keep him indefinitely. We cannot change the microchip to our rescue in order to adopt him out because, after being contacted by our rescue and calling the other rescue,  the previous owner put in a lost pet request. I specifically asked if the lost pet request was made before our found pet notification was placed,  and the answer was, yes. I cannot give the cat back to previous  owners because I cannot be privy to his welfare once given back. My fear is that he will once again be on the street to fend for himself. I cannot conscientiously allow this to happen. 

Hi Lauren , 

Through my experience , it's best to decide based on facts and not feelings,

It's  natural for us to feel keeping this animal away from there owner is best. Maybe this owner needs assistance with building a cat patio , maybe this person needs help feeding the cat , maybe this person did abandon or dump . However a person would not file a lost report if they intentionally neglected a cat .

Fact is this owner lost there cat somewhere somehow , we are not one to judge that owner as you do not know the truth.

Have you had a discussion directly with the owner of this cat and provided that owner options and or resources? 

Cats love their people and original home environments more than being bounced around . 

Scenario: You intake a cat already microchipped to another rescue after being told by current feeder said cat was left behind in a move a few months ago. You give courtesy text to the adoptive parent and call  the rescue that microchipped the cat,  and offer to find the cat a new home. They decline stating that the cat's owner wants the cat back. How do you conclude this scenario or how would you think the scenario play out?

As the "president, " owner/operator of a cat rescue that places priority on the welfare of cats above all else, I find it difficult to digest a once adopted cat dumped or left behind by their adoptive family. Our policy is to take the cat back into our rescue, update vaccines and adopt said cat to a family that will not just dump or leave the cat behind should a life event happen that makes it impossible to continue caring for their cat.  I understand that there are times when unforeseen circumstances can cause a decision you never thought you would have to make. Upon adopting a cat from my rescue, we state that the cat can be returned, vocally & in writing. We send a text a few days after adoption to see how things are going. We also stay in contact through emails and follow up texts a few times a year. We also make it clear that our tolerance for dumping cats is zero. If one of our cats is found, we investigate to see if there was any attempt to find that cat through PawBoost, Lost My Kitty, social media groups, etc…  We also contact the owner. To the best of our ability, we try to find out why the cat was not in the care of the owner. Once evidence, or lack thereof, is gathered and analyzed, we decide the future fate of the cat. This being said, the cat in the scenario is real and the conclusion the microchipping organization came to was to return the cat to the owner after he spent months outside being fed by caring people, who informed me that he was left behind from an apartment down the street.  I did not think the owner should be given back a cat that they did not even try to find. He is still with us months after the fact, in foster with one of our elderly fosters who will keep him indefinitely. We cannot change the microchip to our rescue in order to adopt him out because, after being contacted by our rescue and calling the other rescue,  the previous owner put in a lost pet request. I specifically asked if the lost pet request was made before our found pet notification was placed,  and the answer was, yes. I cannot give the cat back to previous  owners because I cannot be privy to his welfare once given back. My fear is that he will once again be on the street to fend for himself. I cannot conscientiously allow this to happen. 

David, thanks for your feedback. When I gave myself the position of rescuing cats, I set out to be an animal advocate. I do consider the other side before making a judgement. And this judgement took in consideration, the timing of the lost pet filing, which was AFTER I had contacted both the rescue and the cat owner. The cat had been outside in the cold, being fed by a wonderful couple for a few months. He was a block and a half away from where he originally lived. Because the cat was in my care, I took on the responsibility to do the best I could do for him. I try not to make decisions without some feedback from others in the world of rescue, and, believe me, as you most likely already know, most rescue people would not even consider the other side of things.  I tend to be the exception.  Judgements are a necessary component to our jobs as advocates for the voiceless. As a retired teacher, I'm well aware of this. 
No matter, your opinion is definitely noted and I thank you for sharing!

Hi Lauren , 

Through my experience , it's best to decide based on facts and not feelings,

It's  natural for us to feel keeping this animal away from there owner is best. Maybe this owner needs assistance with building a cat patio , maybe this person needs help feeding the cat , maybe this person did abandon or dump . However a person would not file a lost report if they intentionally neglected a cat .

Fact is this owner lost there cat somewhere somehow , we are not one to judge that owner as you do not know the truth.

Have you had a discussion directly with the owner of this cat and provided that owner options and or resources? 

Cats love their people and original home environments more than being bounced around . 

Scenario: You intake a cat already microchipped to another rescue after being told by current feeder said cat was left behind in a move a few months ago. You give courtesy text to the adoptive parent and call  the rescue that microchipped the cat,  and offer to find the cat a new home. They decline stating that the cat's owner wants the cat back. How do you conclude this scenario or how would you think the scenario play out?

As the "president, " owner/operator of a cat rescue that places priority on the welfare of cats above all else, I find it difficult to digest a once adopted cat dumped or left behind by their adoptive family. Our policy is to take the cat back into our rescue, update vaccines and adopt said cat to a family that will not just dump or leave the cat behind should a life event happen that makes it impossible to continue caring for their cat.  I understand that there are times when unforeseen circumstances can cause a decision you never thought you would have to make. Upon adopting a cat from my rescue, we state that the cat can be returned, vocally & in writing. We send a text a few days after adoption to see how things are going. We also stay in contact through emails and follow up texts a few times a year. We also make it clear that our tolerance for dumping cats is zero. If one of our cats is found, we investigate to see if there was any attempt to find that cat through PawBoost, Lost My Kitty, social media groups, etc…  We also contact the owner. To the best of our ability, we try to find out why the cat was not in the care of the owner. Once evidence, or lack thereof, is gathered and analyzed, we decide the future fate of the cat. This being said, the cat in the scenario is real and the conclusion the microchipping organization came to was to return the cat to the owner after he spent months outside being fed by caring people, who informed me that he was left behind from an apartment down the street.  I did not think the owner should be given back a cat that they did not even try to find. He is still with us months after the fact, in foster with one of our elderly fosters who will keep him indefinitely. We cannot change the microchip to our rescue in order to adopt him out because, after being contacted by our rescue and calling the other rescue,  the previous owner put in a lost pet request. I specifically asked if the lost pet request was made before our found pet notification was placed,  and the answer was, yes. I cannot give the cat back to previous  owners because I cannot be privy to his welfare once given back. My fear is that he will once again be on the street to fend for himself. I cannot conscientiously allow this to happen. 

Hi Lauren , 

Through my experience , it's best to decide based on facts and not feelings,

It's  natural for us to feel keeping this animal away from there owner is best. Maybe this owner needs assistance with building a cat patio , maybe this person needs help feeding the cat , maybe this person did abandon or dump . However a person would not file a lost report if they intentionally neglected a cat .

Fact is this owner lost there cat somewhere somehow , we are not one to judge that owner as you do not know the truth.

Have you had a discussion directly with the owner of this cat and provided that owner options and or resources? 

Cats love their people and original home environments more than being bounced around . 

Scenario: You intake a cat already microchipped to another rescue after being told by current feeder said cat was left behind in a move a few months ago. You give courtesy text to the adoptive parent and call  the rescue that microchipped the cat,  and offer to find the cat a new home. They decline stating that the cat's owner wants the cat back. How do you conclude this scenario or how would you think the scenario play out?

As the "president, " owner/operator of a cat rescue that places priority on the welfare of cats above all else, I find it difficult to digest a once adopted cat dumped or left behind by their adoptive family. Our policy is to take the cat back into our rescue, update vaccines and adopt said cat to a family that will not just dump or leave the cat behind should a life event happen that makes it impossible to continue caring for their cat.  I understand that there are times when unforeseen circumstances can cause a decision you never thought you would have to make. Upon adopting a cat from my rescue, we state that the cat can be returned, vocally & in writing. We send a text a few days after adoption to see how things are going. We also stay in contact through emails and follow up texts a few times a year. We also make it clear that our tolerance for dumping cats is zero. If one of our cats is found, we investigate to see if there was any attempt to find that cat through PawBoost, Lost My Kitty, social media groups, etc…  We also contact the owner. To the best of our ability, we try to find out why the cat was not in the care of the owner. Once evidence, or lack thereof, is gathered and analyzed, we decide the future fate of the cat. This being said, the cat in the scenario is real and the conclusion the microchipping organization came to was to return the cat to the owner after he spent months outside being fed by caring people, who informed me that he was left behind from an apartment down the street.  I did not think the owner should be given back a cat that they did not even try to find. He is still with us months after the fact, in foster with one of our elderly fosters who will keep him indefinitely. We cannot change the microchip to our rescue in order to adopt him out because, after being contacted by our rescue and calling the other rescue,  the previous owner put in a lost pet request. I specifically asked if the lost pet request was made before our found pet notification was placed,  and the answer was, yes. I cannot give the cat back to previous  owners because I cannot be privy to his welfare once given back. My fear is that he will once again be on the street to fend for himself. I cannot conscientiously allow this to happen. 

Scenario: You intake a cat already microchipped to another rescue after being told by current feeder said cat was left behind in a move a few months ago. You give courtesy text to the adoptive parent and call  the rescue that microchipped the cat,  and offer to find the cat a new home. They decline stating that the cat's owner wants the cat back. How do you conclude this scenario or how would you think the scenario play out?

As the "president, " owner/operator of a cat rescue that places priority on the welfare of cats above all else, I find it difficult to digest a once adopted cat dumped or left behind by their adoptive family. Our policy is to take the cat back into our rescue, update vaccines and adopt said cat to a family that will not just dump or leave the cat behind should a life event happen that makes it impossible to continue caring for their cat.  I understand that there are times when unforeseen circumstances can cause a decision you never thought you would have to make. Upon adopting a cat from my rescue, we state that the cat can be returned, vocally & in writing. We send a text a few days after adoption to see how things are going. We also stay in contact through emails and follow up texts a few times a year. We also make it clear that our tolerance for dumping cats is zero. If one of our cats is found, we investigate to see if there was any attempt to find that cat through PawBoost, Lost My Kitty, social media groups, etc…  We also contact the owner. To the best of our ability, we try to find out why the cat was not in the care of the owner. Once evidence, or lack thereof, is gathered and analyzed, we decide the future fate of the cat. This being said, the cat in the scenario is real and the conclusion the microchipping organization came to was to return the cat to the owner after he spent months outside being fed by caring people, who informed me that he was left behind from an apartment down the street.  I did not think the owner should be given back a cat that they did not even try to find. He is still with us months after the fact, in foster with one of our elderly fosters who will keep him indefinitely. We cannot change the microchip to our rescue in order to adopt him out because, after being contacted by our rescue and calling the other rescue,  the previous owner put in a lost pet request. I specifically asked if the lost pet request was made before our found pet notification was placed,  and the answer was, yes. I cannot give the cat back to previous  owners because I cannot be privy to his welfare once given back. My fear is that he will once again be on the street to fend for himself. I cannot conscientiously allow this to happen. 

Scenario: You intake a cat already microchipped to another rescue after being told by current feeder said cat was left behind in a move a few months ago. You give courtesy text to the adoptive parent and call  the rescue that microchipped the cat,  and offer to find the cat a new home. They decline stating that the cat's owner wants the cat back. How do you conclude this scenario or how would you think the scenario play out?

As the "president, " owner/operator of a cat rescue that places priority on the welfare of cats above all else, I find it difficult to digest a once adopted cat dumped or left behind by their adoptive family. Our policy is to take the cat back into our rescue, update vaccines and adopt said cat to a family that will not just dump or leave the cat behind should a life event happen that makes it impossible to continue caring for their cat.  I understand that there are times when unforeseen circumstances can cause a decision you never thought you would have to make. Upon adopting a cat from my rescue, we state that the cat can be returned, vocally & in writing. We send a text a few days after adoption to see how things are going. We also stay in contact through emails and follow up texts a few times a year. We also make it clear that our tolerance for dumping cats is zero. If one of our cats is found, we investigate to see if there was any attempt to find that cat through PawBoost, Lost My Kitty, social media groups, etc…  We also contact the owner. To the best of our ability, we try to find out why the cat was not in the care of the owner. Once evidence, or lack thereof, is gathered and analyzed, we decide the future fate of the cat. This being said, the cat in the scenario is real and the conclusion the microchipping organization came to was to return the cat to the owner after he spent months outside being fed by caring people, who informed me that he was left behind from an apartment down the street.  I did not think the owner should be given back a cat that they did not even try to find. He is still with us months after the fact, in foster with one of our elderly fosters who will keep him indefinitely. We cannot change the microchip to our rescue in order to adopt him out because, after being contacted by our rescue and calling the other rescue,  the previous owner put in a lost pet request. I specifically asked if the lost pet request was made before our found pet notification was placed,  and the answer was, yes. I cannot give the cat back to previous  owners because I cannot be privy to his welfare once given back. My fear is that he will once again be on the street to fend for himself. I cannot conscientiously allow this to happen. 

Scenario: You intake a cat already microchipped to another rescue after being told by current feeder said cat was left behind in a move a few months ago. You give courtesy text to the adoptive parent and call  the rescue that microchipped the cat,  and offer to find the cat a new home. They decline stating that the cat's owner wants the cat back. How do you conclude this scenario or how would you think the scenario play out?

As the "president, " owner/operator of a cat rescue that places priority on the welfare of cats above all else, I find it difficult to digest a once adopted cat dumped or left behind by their adoptive family. Our policy is to take the cat back into our rescue, update vaccines and adopt said cat to a family that will not just dump or leave the cat behind should a life event happen that makes it impossible to continue caring for their cat.  I understand that there are times when unforeseen circumstances can cause a decision you never thought you would have to make. Upon adopting a cat from my rescue, we state that the cat can be returned, vocally & in writing. We send a text a few days after adoption to see how things are going. We also stay in contact through emails and follow up texts a few times a year. We also make it clear that our tolerance for dumping cats is zero. If one of our cats is found, we investigate to see if there was any attempt to find that cat through PawBoost, Lost My Kitty, social media groups, etc…  We also contact the owner. To the best of our ability, we try to find out why the cat was not in the care of the owner. Once evidence, or lack thereof, is gathered and analyzed, we decide the future fate of the cat. This being said, the cat in the scenario is real and the conclusion the microchipping organization came to was to return the cat to the owner after he spent months outside being fed by caring people, who informed me that he was left behind from an apartment down the street.  I did not think the owner should be given back a cat that they did not even try to find. He is still with us months after the fact, in foster with one of our elderly fosters who will keep him indefinitely. We cannot change the microchip to our rescue in order to adopt him out because, after being contacted by our rescue and calling the other rescue,  the previous owner put in a lost pet request. I specifically asked if the lost pet request was made before our found pet notification was placed,  and the answer was, yes. I cannot give the cat back to previous  owners because I cannot be privy to his welfare once given back. My fear is that he will once again be on the street to fend for himself. I cannot conscientiously allow this to happen.