Euthanasia

I euthanized a cat at work today.

I didn't have a doctor euthanize the kitty. I did it myself. I ended her little life.

It was the right thing to do. It was not easy to do.

"Boots" was a stray brought in by a woman who saves cats. She has them spayed and neutered and brought up to date on shots. She pays for everything and finds them homes. She hates to euthanize any kitties.

"Boots" was FIV positive and very feral. She had been spayed in the past by someone. Someone who either lost her, or kicked her out or didn't care that she went wandering. Someone who didn't care enough to love and soothe this frightened animal so she could accept human affection. "Boots" was not adoptable.

It makes me so angry the things that people do to cats. That people let their FIV and Feline Leukemia positive cats roam to infect other cats. That people let any of their cats roam.

"Oh he only goes out on the patio when we are there, and he never goes anywhere."
Until the time a dog runs onto your patio and scares him, or a squirrel or bird catches his attention, or you run to answer the phone.

"She likes to lay under the bushes while I garden."
So so hides under shrubbery while your attention is directed elsewhere and you could forget where she is...

"I can't keep her in, I just can't."
You mean you haven't tried. Or that the cat is smarter and more resourcefull than you are.

"He screams at the door all night if I keep him in."
Buy earplugs and wait it out.

"Cats have to go outside."
Outside cats live, on average, two to four years. Inside/outside cats are exposed to disease, predators, other cats, inhumane people, cars, harsh weather, parasites, toxins...Their life expectancy is significantly shorter than the average inside only cat. This is a lazy excuse for letting your cat out.

"I don't believe in keeping cats in."
Have you even tried? Do you feel anything when your kitty isn't there when you call? Have you tried using games inside and well placed birdfeeders outside as entertainment. Have you made up ways to encourage your cat to play and leap and bound and stalk the elusive paper ball or feather wand or stray sock in your livingroom? These are all perfectly safe alternatives to hunting threatened songbirds, or getting attacked by other animals, or stolen, or smashed by a car, or infected with a devestating disease.

I am so sick of people who don't care what happens to their cats.