oh, you really don't want to SEE the letter i have written--tho i rarely send it, except to rescue groups who i know will understand....
the reality, however, is that when we look at how people DO treat their human children--and would give them away or stick them out in the back yard or just abandon them at some shelter if it weren't against the law--we can't really be surprised at how they treat their companion animals... this summer especially, with the heat-induced, extended kitten season, placing cats seems to be harder than ever before--i'm hearing that from all over the country. even in a good year (?), placing seniors is desperately difficult--sometimes it helps to tell folks the truth: that senior cats (defined by most shelters as over 5; some use 3 as a cut-off, which for breeds like maine coons, isn't even ADULTHOOD) will often never make it out a shelter's back room--or, as i politely put it, they will be euthanized before the owner pulls out of the parking lot. it's inconceivable to us to consider moving anyplace where are catkids aren't welcome--it's a mindset we do NOT understand. educating folks who have that mentality is often not possible, tho some WILL listen. just don't be surprised if they won't.... there's a senior-cat list on yahoo, as well as a special-needs one, to refer her to if she seems truly interested. at least this isn't one of the, "please take my senior cats, i'm moving in two hours" ones.... i have that refrigerator magnet that says, "i had to get rid of the kids, the cat was allergic....." MC -- MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892
