Books and other stuff I feel like discussing
By education and experience - Accountant with a specialty in taxation. Formerly a CPA (license has lapsed). Masters degree in law of taxation from University of Denver. Now retired. Part time work during baseball season as receptionist & switchboard operator for the Colorado Rockies. This gig feeds my soul in ways I have trouble articulating. One daughter, and four grandchildren. I share the house with two cats; a big goof of a cat called Grinch (named as a joke for his easy going "whatever" disposition); and Lady, a shelter adoptee with a regal bearing and sweet little soprano voice. I would be very bereft if it ever becomes necessary to keep house without a cat.
Mood:
Grumpy
Read/Post Comments (3)
Shelter Experience
Animal Rescue shelter, that is.
The shelter involved has a website - they all do these days - and after several days of looking at 6-8 sites with photos of adoptable cats, one caught my eye.
I persuaded Mr W to go visit the shelter and see the little gal, and he didn't really go willingly. But after a few weeks of hemming and hawing, we brought "Lady" home yesterday. So far, Grinch is livid, and we have an upstairs cat and a downstairs cat. I'm hoping things improve in a day or so, and will keep you posted.
BUT
The shelter involved has an impressive list of local celebrities in their publicity and listed on various placques in their facility. They have a "no kill" policy, and a low cost vet clinic connected with the adoption center.
I had to call several times to check on the status of our application, and the adoption worker finally called back, full of apologies, asking us to choose a pickup time, and telling us all would be ready.
What we expected - an adoption worker more or less meeting us when we arrived, the cat all checked out and ready to go home, and a thorough familiarity with our adoption application, which mentioned Grinch, among other things.
What happened - we arrived and waited in reception for about half an hour. We visited for a bit, got the paperwork we needed re the microchip, vaccination update, etc. They sent us around the corner to where the cat was caged - which happened to be in the clinic. Carrying instructions to get a distemper booster.
The clinic receptionist was quite busy, and three or four other people circled around, between the whole group there were perhaps nine or ten different issues being handled. NONE of them was adept at multi-tasking.
I was sent back to get the cat, which I did, and put her in the carrier at my feet. Several times we were asked if our cat was exhibiting any nausea, sneezing, or diarhea. I responded that since we were adopting her from them, perhaps they could tell me, I would be interested in what they had to say! Finally someone was free to take care of the booster, and we were sent to see the vet "just in case there's something going on" The vet administered the booster, but began to talk about herpes virus, eye problems, importance of keeping the two cats separate for two weeks (!) after we brought Lady home.
We finally got out of there, and on the way home, called our neighborhood vet who agreed to take a look at her, pronounced her "looking good for a shelter cat" He didn't think there was anything particular wrong with her eyes at all, and couldn't offer an intelligent comment on the herpes comments by the other vet.
Since Mr W had misgivings from the start about this shelter, I think I should have paid more attention to his instincts. BUT now Lady is here, exhibiting a very feisty personality, and my main concern is for her and Grinch to agree to coexist.
I think the shelter involved has a lot of worthwhile goals and procedures. Their communication skills need work. AND they need to coordinate much much more adroitly when releasing a cat for adoption. The vet should have been called into the picture before they even called to tell us to pick up our new family member. We were disconcerted, to say the least.
Think good thoughts for Grinch and Lady!
Thanks!
The shelter involved has a website - they all do these days - and after several days of looking at 6-8 sites with photos of adoptable cats, one caught my eye.
I persuaded Mr W to go visit the shelter and see the little gal, and he didn't really go willingly. But after a few weeks of hemming and hawing, we brought "Lady" home yesterday. So far, Grinch is livid, and we have an upstairs cat and a downstairs cat. I'm hoping things improve in a day or so, and will keep you posted.
BUT
The shelter involved has an impressive list of local celebrities in their publicity and listed on various placques in their facility. They have a "no kill" policy, and a low cost vet clinic connected with the adoption center.
I had to call several times to check on the status of our application, and the adoption worker finally called back, full of apologies, asking us to choose a pickup time, and telling us all would be ready.
What we expected - an adoption worker more or less meeting us when we arrived, the cat all checked out and ready to go home, and a thorough familiarity with our adoption application, which mentioned Grinch, among other things.
What happened - we arrived and waited in reception for about half an hour. We visited for a bit, got the paperwork we needed re the microchip, vaccination update, etc. They sent us around the corner to where the cat was caged - which happened to be in the clinic. Carrying instructions to get a distemper booster.
The clinic receptionist was quite busy, and three or four other people circled around, between the whole group there were perhaps nine or ten different issues being handled. NONE of them was adept at multi-tasking.
I was sent back to get the cat, which I did, and put her in the carrier at my feet. Several times we were asked if our cat was exhibiting any nausea, sneezing, or diarhea. I responded that since we were adopting her from them, perhaps they could tell me, I would be interested in what they had to say! Finally someone was free to take care of the booster, and we were sent to see the vet "just in case there's something going on" The vet administered the booster, but began to talk about herpes virus, eye problems, importance of keeping the two cats separate for two weeks (!) after we brought Lady home.
We finally got out of there, and on the way home, called our neighborhood vet who agreed to take a look at her, pronounced her "looking good for a shelter cat" He didn't think there was anything particular wrong with her eyes at all, and couldn't offer an intelligent comment on the herpes comments by the other vet.
Since Mr W had misgivings from the start about this shelter, I think I should have paid more attention to his instincts. BUT now Lady is here, exhibiting a very feisty personality, and my main concern is for her and Grinch to agree to coexist.
I think the shelter involved has a lot of worthwhile goals and procedures. Their communication skills need work. AND they need to coordinate much much more adroitly when releasing a cat for adoption. The vet should have been called into the picture before they even called to tell us to pick up our new family member. We were disconcerted, to say the least.
Think good thoughts for Grinch and Lady!
Thanks!
Read/Post Comments (3)
Previous Entry :: Next Entry
Back to Top
