Such a cruel world

During my shelter volunteer shift last night, a woman brought her husband to see Jasmine, a pretty kitty I didn't take any pictures of because she spent the whole time snuggled up in my arms. The potential adopter had fallen in love during a previous visit, but her crush ended just like that when Jasmine play-bit her husband's finger. Not hard, and not with any intent to hurt him. He started it, besides, by poking and prodding her even after she started swishing her tail.

While shelters are all about second chances, Jasmine didn't get one from this couple. They put in an application to adopt another cat, who had the good sense to purr non-stop on their laps.

Jasmine's missed opportunity made me sad because the same thing probably happened to Max, too. When I signed up to foster him, it broke my heart to see that a caretaker had noted on his shelter intake form that he was "hissy and difficult to handle". It seems he didn't put on a very good show for any visitor who might have taken him home either.

Of course, that's the only reason why I now get to have him on my lap. I hope Jasmine won't have to wait too much longer before finding someone who thinks she's wonderful, too.

Comments

[MED]

Hi, I'm a shelter volunteer, too. Max and bread! LOL!

I've seen stupid things like when Jasmine gently warned the idiot to quit poking her. I've come to expect that from the public. But it really torques me off when shelter workers and volunteers don't give a cat the benefit of the doubt. I've certainly worked with my share of "mean" cats that nearly always turn out to be terrified.

Just wanted to commiserate. :)

[Mr. T in DC]

That sucks. Besides, how the cat acts in the shelter isn't the best indicator of how it will behave once it is used to a new home. Then again, Oliver still nips us pretty regularly and we don't care.

[isabel]

MED - After my first day as a volunteer, I came home with the realization that my cats would have no hope of winning the shelter beauty pageant. Shelters are such Darwinian environments. The most outgoing, most affectionate cats inevitably get more attention from staff and volunteers - and find homes first. So I hang out with the under-cats as much as I can. I've been surprised by a few who became super sociable after they settled in.

Mr T - That's what worries me about shelter visitors who are overly concerned about which animals are better behaved. Your cat will scratch. Your dog will bark. If you can't live with that, maybe it's not such a good idea to live with an animal?

[Carole]

Wow so many beautiful furballs, doin great works you are. Cats are PAWSOME!