i am like perry, and for me it doesn't matter what critter they are or where they come from, an irresponsible, abusive, neglectful owner, and there are plenty of those and many who can't bother to take their animals to a vet. we have cared for all types of critters, owls, deer and fawns, all sorts of birds (including hummers), coons, squirrels, chipmunks, possoms, skunks someone else's dog, someone else's cat, etc. there probably isn't an animal i haven't cared for. one year i waded across the river in flood water rising to my chest in rain, wet and cold to fetch a young fawn crying and caught on an island who had been separated from his mother. we retrieved him; he would have never made it in the rising flood waters and cold, and carried him back across the river to his waiting mother.
on the rush river we are a dumping grounds for animals, especially dogs. we take them in, get them to the vet, care for them and make sure they get a good home. we have several sizes of kennels, and we don't own a dog ourselves because of all the travel we do, it is not fair to them and i won't kennel them. cats can take care of themselves. other wild animals/birds are doctored up and set free, or if need be euthanized.
i have been bitten, and bitten deeply more times by dogs than any cat, and the bites from any dog or cat of unknown origin will be treated with antibiotics and a tetanus shot if you are not up to date on the tetanus.
when i read this thread, my eyes welled up a little. as perry said, many do not care for cats, but any critter that brings joy to your life is and becomes a 'family member'.
my heart is heavy. there are no paws on the floor of our house, it is empty and silent now. on thursday of last week we set her spirit free, a good friend and companion of 17 years. that joy is gone, and so is the companionship. selfishly, i wish i could have her back.
like perry i would do the same, and i would do the same for any animal.
