they tell the best stories and totally revel in their unabashed saltiness.
Today's gem was a hunched over Mr December (1924) who came in with a carrier and a smile- "I've got three puddicats for you!!". Golly gee, thank you! And who says Christmas only comes once a year? He goes on to tell me that they are strays...."been hanging around the yard for 4-5 years" he says with an open mouthed gaping smile. And during these years he and Grandma Moses have been tossing food out for Not Mine Fluffy. Oy. Which means that these "strays" are actually his cats in terms of black and white legal forms to pull out. And with surrenders, we charge a fee to take them in. $50 for the first critter, $25/additional, which adds up to $100 for cats that aren't his. Plus, he dropped off 3 more earlier in the month. A total of $200 on cats that roam the neighborhood but aren't "his."
Did he flinch? Only if you call flinching pulling out a waaaad of $20's and counting out "1, 2, 3, 4, and 5...here you go!" Again with another pause and wide happy smile. Then he proceeds to tell me that most likely we'll have to put away the momma cat of the bunch he brought in. "She eats and drinks fine, but walks two steps or so and falls over. Every time." No glimmer of concern, just straight up matter of factness.
I guess I should just be happy that he didn't transport the cats in his (Cadillac) trunk this time.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
more annoyances
- when calling to see if we have a particular animal(s), PLEASE DO NOT use the same terminology you would use when checking on an order in a store. Did we just receive a large shipment of cats? Funny you should ask, just got some in waiting to be unloaded from the docks. How is our supply of tabbies? Well, we are running a little low...rumour has it those are on backorder for 6 weeks. Can i interest you in a torti instead?
- please do not enter our humble facility, immediately clutch your nose, make gagging sounds and complain of the smell. A) Have you been to other shelters? I suggest making a trek there and then tell us how much it "smells" when you walk in our doors. B) It's an ANIMAL shelter, NOT a frickin bakery. We have 200+ bowels in our care that do not go off at the same time. Something, somewhere, is going to poo at a given time. We are very diligent about cleaning, but sorry, you are going to smell something. C) That's just rude. I can't wait to come over to your house and immediately request a gas mask and wonder outloud how the department of sanitation doesn't condemn your cesspool of a home.
- Pay attention to our hours. We are not a 24/7 operation. Just because you make eye contact with a passing staff member at 10:23 doesn't mean we are going to let you in to look at the animals. See the buckets out in the middle of the floor? See the wet puddles? The big long hoses stretched from one end of the kennels to the other? How about the garbage bags and piles of diry laundry studding the floor every 20 feet or so? Those are all pretty good indicators that we are not open, and that at the present moment, your safety can not be ensured if you walk through. Go back and sit in your car for another hour and a half...the dogs and cats aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Besides, would you yank on the door of Target at 1:30am, bang on the glass, yank some more on the door (because surely the second time will be the charm), and demand to "just see what you have."? oy.
- yes we have dogs. In case it's not apparent from the audible sounds behind me while i converse to you in the phone, they are here. Yes we have labs. Yes we have male labs. No I can not tell you if we have anything that is good with kids, lived with cats, will catch a frisbee while performing a tuck somersault, knows commands, will serve you breakfast in bed, etc. I'm fielding your call, not going through a laundry list of what we have. Come down and take a look at what we have.
- Don't attempt to haggle over adoption fees. If you price out what is included, you'll see they are a significant savings opportunity in and of itself. Do you want a lifelong companion or a blue light special?
Ahh, the joys of serving the public.....
discouraging day
meh. This was a day that matched the mostly gloomy overcast look outside. Intake numbers are moving up- a definite reflection of the season of rebirth (and rebirth and rebirth, etc). Also disheartening...with the surrenders that came in today- not a single owner even attempted to fake a tear or reveal the gravitude of the situation. For pets that have been members of the family for "x" number of years, you'd think that in the final moments together, it would sink in...that fido or fluffy may be moments away from being euthanized...or at the very least, knowing that you are moments away from never seeing your beloved bundle of fur again. Instead, the attitude all across the board was akin to dropping off a load of dirty laundry at the laundromat... just another chore in the day.
and, as is becoming very commonplace this month...another animal made its way to us having originated from us (sadly for this month, we are averaging close to one/day...more if you figure we are not open 7 days a week). I'm thinking this person just did not realize what giving a home to a puppy would entail. However that sheer ignorance doesn't diminish in any way the levels of tool-ness that was possessed by this former owner. I tried to be patient and keep a very stoic poker face (of which i'm usually pretty good at), but this charmer...I wasn't having any of his "dog gone wrong" tales. Just sign the papers and move along bucko. And please don't ask about money back, or replacing bad dog with a new one. I should keep a bin of stuffed animals by my desk, which i can give to people as a parting gift. Does puppy play bite too much? Tired of Fluffy shedding? Does your dog have a tendency to run away? Tired of scooping Princess' litterbox? Introducing the best pet you'll ever own- a stuffed animal! Low maintance! Guaranteed not to annoy your neighbors!
then fittingly, there was the sudden spike in gas, making the drive home all the more enjoyable. (not) Have we figured out what caused that one? Did something blow up? Spill? Are we at war (moreso than usual)? Good thing I was recently bumped to full time- that extra day will pay for *half* a tank of gas! woot! I did mapquest the route from home to work which appears to be about 7.5 miles...15 roundtrip. Maybe I could run to/from work, and burn off some stress at the end of the day. Bonus! :p
Thankfully the day is done, and now i can attempt to regroup and go again fresh tomorrow. Here's hoping for a quieter day....
and, as is becoming very commonplace this month...another animal made its way to us having originated from us (sadly for this month, we are averaging close to one/day...more if you figure we are not open 7 days a week). I'm thinking this person just did not realize what giving a home to a puppy would entail. However that sheer ignorance doesn't diminish in any way the levels of tool-ness that was possessed by this former owner. I tried to be patient and keep a very stoic poker face (of which i'm usually pretty good at), but this charmer...I wasn't having any of his "dog gone wrong" tales. Just sign the papers and move along bucko. And please don't ask about money back, or replacing bad dog with a new one. I should keep a bin of stuffed animals by my desk, which i can give to people as a parting gift. Does puppy play bite too much? Tired of Fluffy shedding? Does your dog have a tendency to run away? Tired of scooping Princess' litterbox? Introducing the best pet you'll ever own- a stuffed animal! Low maintance! Guaranteed not to annoy your neighbors!
then fittingly, there was the sudden spike in gas, making the drive home all the more enjoyable. (not) Have we figured out what caused that one? Did something blow up? Spill? Are we at war (moreso than usual)? Good thing I was recently bumped to full time- that extra day will pay for *half* a tank of gas! woot! I did mapquest the route from home to work which appears to be about 7.5 miles...15 roundtrip. Maybe I could run to/from work, and burn off some stress at the end of the day. Bonus! :p
Thankfully the day is done, and now i can attempt to regroup and go again fresh tomorrow. Here's hoping for a quieter day....
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The "risk" of having a pit for a pet...
Coming from my now 2 years experience being around these guys is that you are at danger of kisses, love, and devotion from this breed. Can you handle that?
While I applaud this local station for attempting to show another side to pit bulls, I couldn't help but feel defeated after watching this story- it was like they couldn't just paint a positive reflection, every good comment had to be followed with doom and gloom.
No one breed is completely devoid of merit. There are bad eggs in every bunch. But as always, it's the individual animal itself. If you really wanted to be a well rounded and educated sort, you would dig deeper and ask about the circumstances surrounding a negative story involving a critter. Pitbulls are a very loyal breed to their family, and as such, people with bad intentions will use that trait against the dog, and teach them to engage in fighting, etc. Any animal needs proper socialization- stories of attacking pits are often ones in which the dogs were kept chained, locked away...to have sudden access to freedom and strange people can result in chaos/tragedy.
Every decade has its own blacklisted dog...in the past, german shepherds and rotts were the bad guys. Now it's the pit bulls who society is turning against. At work, we have grown weary of folks who come in with nothing more than just perception causing them to ignore many of the dogs in our care. We now keep track of the animals that are coming in for aggression issues, and more often than not, it's going to be your small breed dogs like chihuahuas/shih tzus, etc...the sensitive beagles...or the golden retrievers. It truly is more of a rarity to have a pit come in for something like that. However, stories in the media about the golden gone bad don't sell. The vicious pit who rips from limb to limb? Film at 11!! The tv and newspaper communities can be a big ally in shifting that stereotype by not always falling for the big bad pit story...or by fleshing it out and presenting another side in the piece. When you see a video next time of a reporter discussing a pit that attacks a neighbor....if they talk to the dog owner, pay attention to that environment and demeanor of the person. Are they out in the open, actively engaging in a dialogue? Are they hiding behind the door, keeping their conversation limited to short, testy replies? How does the home and yard look? Clean and safe with proper boundary limitations? Unkempt with shards of glass bottles and large rock chunks littering the dog's play area? The owner's interview and appearance of the environment will be very telling....
And, I hate to say it, but if a dog has teeth, it has the ability to bite. The key is to a) properly socialize and engage your animal if you are the owner and b) watch constantly for signals being given if you are approaching an unknown dog or even playing with a familiar dog.
While I applaud this local station for attempting to show another side to pit bulls, I couldn't help but feel defeated after watching this story- it was like they couldn't just paint a positive reflection, every good comment had to be followed with doom and gloom.
No one breed is completely devoid of merit. There are bad eggs in every bunch. But as always, it's the individual animal itself. If you really wanted to be a well rounded and educated sort, you would dig deeper and ask about the circumstances surrounding a negative story involving a critter. Pitbulls are a very loyal breed to their family, and as such, people with bad intentions will use that trait against the dog, and teach them to engage in fighting, etc. Any animal needs proper socialization- stories of attacking pits are often ones in which the dogs were kept chained, locked away...to have sudden access to freedom and strange people can result in chaos/tragedy.
Every decade has its own blacklisted dog...in the past, german shepherds and rotts were the bad guys. Now it's the pit bulls who society is turning against. At work, we have grown weary of folks who come in with nothing more than just perception causing them to ignore many of the dogs in our care. We now keep track of the animals that are coming in for aggression issues, and more often than not, it's going to be your small breed dogs like chihuahuas/shih tzus, etc...the sensitive beagles...or the golden retrievers. It truly is more of a rarity to have a pit come in for something like that. However, stories in the media about the golden gone bad don't sell. The vicious pit who rips from limb to limb? Film at 11!! The tv and newspaper communities can be a big ally in shifting that stereotype by not always falling for the big bad pit story...or by fleshing it out and presenting another side in the piece. When you see a video next time of a reporter discussing a pit that attacks a neighbor....if they talk to the dog owner, pay attention to that environment and demeanor of the person. Are they out in the open, actively engaging in a dialogue? Are they hiding behind the door, keeping their conversation limited to short, testy replies? How does the home and yard look? Clean and safe with proper boundary limitations? Unkempt with shards of glass bottles and large rock chunks littering the dog's play area? The owner's interview and appearance of the environment will be very telling....
And, I hate to say it, but if a dog has teeth, it has the ability to bite. The key is to a) properly socialize and engage your animal if you are the owner and b) watch constantly for signals being given if you are approaching an unknown dog or even playing with a familiar dog.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Resist the urge
To fill Jack and Jill's Easter basket this weekend with a fluffy bunny or fuzzy chick. Presents of this sort typically are not well thought out- these animals each have their own unique "challenges" and will require very specific care. Bunnies chew, chicks peck...not to mention the simple fact that they WILL GET BIGGER. And bigger still for the duration of their approximate 10 year life span. Are you willing to commit to that? I've never met an easter basket that I was that enamored with for more than a month, let alone a decade.
What usually happens is two weeks later, once the cute factor has worn off, the kids are off to find something else to amuse their passing interests and Mom is left cleaning the cages/coops...Dad is grumbling that "somebody chewed the cord to the TV dammit!"...and Fido and Fluffy are wondering what on earth these new toys are- they sure are fun to chase, but why on earth do they bite/kick back?? Sound like a recipe for a harmonious family unit? Yeah, notsomuch.
Which means that if I am lucky, I will field calls from these harried folks looking to rid the newbies from the home, or see them come through the admitting door. I say "lucky" because I know that the folks I don't hear from will open their own door and send Cadbury and Clucky packing...thinking they have the skill set to make it in the great outdoors. Domesticated rabbits and chickens are just that, domesticated. They are completely dependent upon humans for their 10+ year survival.
Do yourself and these awesome (in the appropriate home) animals a favor and bypass the living basket approach this year. Get a Webkinz instead. Or donate to a rabbit/chicken rescue group. :D
What usually happens is two weeks later, once the cute factor has worn off, the kids are off to find something else to amuse their passing interests and Mom is left cleaning the cages/coops...Dad is grumbling that "somebody chewed the cord to the TV dammit!"...and Fido and Fluffy are wondering what on earth these new toys are- they sure are fun to chase, but why on earth do they bite/kick back?? Sound like a recipe for a harmonious family unit? Yeah, notsomuch.
Which means that if I am lucky, I will field calls from these harried folks looking to rid the newbies from the home, or see them come through the admitting door. I say "lucky" because I know that the folks I don't hear from will open their own door and send Cadbury and Clucky packing...thinking they have the skill set to make it in the great outdoors. Domesticated rabbits and chickens are just that, domesticated. They are completely dependent upon humans for their 10+ year survival.
Do yourself and these awesome (in the appropriate home) animals a favor and bypass the living basket approach this year. Get a Webkinz instead. Or donate to a rabbit/chicken rescue group. :D
Besides, the addition of a baby chick or rabbit to your little one's Easter basket makes searching for those black jelly beans all the more tricky.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Find your next furry/feathered friend from a shelter or rescue group
October 28, 2009
Adopting From an Animal Shelter or Rescue Group
Animal shelters are your best source when looking for a pet
Did you know?
Many pets at your local shelter are waiting for new homes because they were obtained by people with unrealistic expectations of the time, effort, and money required to sustain a lifelong relationship with their pet. National figures indicate that about half of the animals in shelters are euthanized for lack of good homes. Animals at your local shelter are just waiting for someone like you to give them a new home.
You can depend on responsible shelters to assess the animals' health and temperament in order to make the best adoption matches possible. When animals are relinquished by owners, the shelter staff makes every attempt to collect a thorough history of that pet. Then, while caring for animals, staff and volunteers try to learn as much as they can about these animals, as well as those who come to the shelter as strays.
Waiting for just the right one
Don't be discouraged if, when you first visit the shelter, there are no animals of the breed or type that you want. Shelters receive new animals every day. Your shelter may also have a waiting list and can call you when an animal matching your preference becomes available. Before choosing your pet, you can even speak with an adoption counselor about whether your choice of a particular type or breed will be best for you.
Shelter advantages
In an effort to make good matches between people and animals and to place pets in lifelong homes, many shelters provide adoption counseling and follow-up assistance, such as pet parenting and dog-training classes, medical services, and behavior counseling. Or they may be able to refer you to providers of these services.
Another advantage to shelter adoptions is that the fees are usually much less than the purchase price of an animal from a pet store or breeder. And your new pet is more likely to be vaccinated, de-wormed, and spayed or neutered.
Another advantage to shelter adoptions is that the fees are usually much less than the purchase price of an animal from a pet store or breeder. And your new pet is more likely to be vaccinated, de-wormed, and spayed or neutered.
Find a friend
To locate your local animal shelter, check the Yellow Pages under "animal shelter," "animal control," or "humane society." Or go online—many shelters have websites that feature animals available for adoption. Some sites even allow you to download adoption forms and plan ahead by providing tips on responsible pet care. In addition, many shelters promote their animals for adoption on national websites such as Petfinder.com or The Shelter Pet Project's website.
About purebred rescue groups
Purebred rescue groups are usually run by people with in-depth knowledge of a specific breed. Rescue groups keep adoptable animals until they can be placed in loving, permanent homes. These animals may come from failed breeding operations; arrive from boarding kennels and veterinarians, where they were abandoned; be rescued as strays living on the streets; or be obtained through the cooperation of local animal shelters. Adoption fees vary, depending on veterinary and other costs that have been incurred. Follow-up counseling is usually available.
To locate a rescue group that specializes in the breed of dog or cat that interests you, contact your local animal shelter, check the classifieds section of the newspaper, or search the Internet.
When you contact a breed rescue group, be sure to find out as much as you can about the group, how it cares for its animals, how it decides which animals are adoptable, and what other adoption and post-adoption services are available.
****Another benefit to shelter adoption....these animals really are truly grateful for the decision you made to bring them into your life. Shelter pets know what it is like to be discarded and homeless. When you spring them from that heartbreaking day to day existence...they are so enamored with you and will work to show you that each and every day. They have seen the alternative and are in no hurry to go back to that.
Adopt an animal- save a life and offer hope today!!
*sigh*
Meet Baby J. This guy was one of our more recent residents. Believe it or not, he didn't come in as a stray, but as a surrender. This tiny tyke had been acquired by a young couple..barely old enough to drive, but apparently old enough to breed (as evidenced by their too cool for preschool daughter who accompanied them past my 'no kids ever, verboten, boo' sign to be a part of this process). Feeling the need to expand their family, they sought out a furry friend in the best manner possible- Craig and his super awesome list (as time goes on, my love for craig will reveal itself more and more). One week after adding J to this family, he was sent packing. His crime? Scratching the NickJr obsesser while being heldandlovedandsqueezed. Apparently, he was a viscious feline, and well they just "don't want him anymore."
Imagine that. Baby J is a scratcher. He's also a .......
KITTEN.
We took in the miniature convict, and let him know the law of the land. To make it here, he is not allowed to behave as he is- kitten behaviour is not becoming in a kitten. He must automatically know to behave like the perfect adult cats you see in pictures. Scratching? Uh no. Paw usage is expressly forbidden. Romping at full speed, burning off energy? Try again. Sitting perfectly still is the only way to go.
He was given a prime kennel spot in our lobby where he was truly the star. Despite having other kennels, the public only had eyes for him. Our staff sorted through applications, weeding out the "absolutely nots" from the "we should talk." Finally a home was picked for J. The excited couple called *endlessly* to follow his progress as we readied him for surgery before sending him home. His date with destiny was bumped upon developing a case of the sniffles- nothing to be alarmed over, with 60+ felines in our shelter, viruses like that circulate quite a bit. Holding off allows him to recover and be in prime shape for the stress of anesthesia. Again, the happy family called, just to see how the cold's course was running, and to express eagerness in his arrival home.
Yesterday was that day. Baby J, fresh from surgery, was tucked into his kitty carrier and sent on his way with the "fur"ever family.
Today, kitty dad called and began with "I'm XXX XXXX, and I adopted Baby J yesterday." I got all excited, waiting to hear about the silly antics that he must be bringing to the new home. I asked "and how are things going??" to which kitty father tells me what a great cat he is...how cute...just an awesome guy.
"But...we've got a BIG problem." he hints....
I ready myself for kitten quirks, and tales of naughty scratching or litterbox accidents.
"He's been over at my mom's house, and she just looooves him. She loves him so much, she won't give him back," father of the cat begins.
I'm imagining a scene in which the excited family brought their newest "child" over to show off....that sort of thing.
"He follows her all around the house, and hops into bed with her- she just thinks he's sooo smart!" continues the man...
Now i'm starting to think to myself...why is this kitten spending his first night as a "free" man in someone else's home? Regardless of the fact that our adoption policies do stipulate new animal spend 7-10 days somewhat isolated (to allow for easier transition into the home, and limit any viruses/parasites that may transmit to other animals,etc)...one would think that an excited family would have a special area that they can't wait to see their new baby sleeping in. But his first night is not in his home?
"Well, I'm just wondering...would it be really bad if I just let her" (kitty dad's mom) "have him?" asks furfather.
A) this man just left us yesterday having had our adoption policies explained ad nauseum- the biggest of which is that we DO NOT ALLOW REHOMING. Animal lives with adopter or comes back to us. End of discussion.
B) What was the point of adopting if he wasn't going to keep the animal? I mean, did he not come to us, seeking out our furry friends, filling out applications, paying adoption fees, because he WANTED a friend to love? And now he's allowing the chosen feline to leave his life and be a part of someone else's?
This cat didn't even get 24 hours before he was rehomed....
*sigh*
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Pet peeves
I promise, i'm not normally this much of a post 'ho.
in no particular order, a list of things that i run into often that make me cringe and recoil.....
there are other bug-worthy traits but at 10:30ish at night and running on one hand's worth of sleep hours, and being drained from the week...well, that's all i can list right now.
in no particular order, a list of things that i run into often that make me cringe and recoil.....
- when someone calls for information...they are expecting to receive some type of answer, yet when i proceed to give them what they need- a name, a number,etc, I invariably get the following..."hold on, i need to get a pen and paper...." Um, weren't you expecting to get an answer of sorts? Have that crap ready!
- mispronouncing the word "spayed". It's not "spaded". DEFINITELY NOT EVER "spadering". "Spraying"? What do you presume we spray the animal with? Granted, some of the dogs might think a shot from the water hose might be fun, but I guarantee you that no cat will ever volunteer for that. Oh, and a male can not be spayed, just as a female can not ever be neutered.
- When people with very *severe* limitations on their auditory capabilities insist on calling for information. That might be something where having another party make that call and gather said info...or making a trek to our happy little home would be a more appropriate method for conversing.
- again, from the telephone (can you tell it is the bane of my existence? thank you alexander graham bell)...when Jane or John Doe calls and begins with "I'm calling...." and leave a ridiculously long pause. Really? You are calling? What a shock, you could have fooled me. Here i thought you were sending smoke signals....
- People who come in with veryveryveryvery noticable BO. It's sad when taking a step back into our isolation area (where we occassionally house a litter of puppies who live for nothing more than fingerpainting in their own poo) is a relief from the odor that some folks come in with.
- Hoochie mama outfits. You're surrendering an animal, not potentially finding a companion for the wee small hours of the night. The bars are further down the road, keep on moving....
- folks who bring in the whole famdamily into the tiny hallway known as admitting. Say your goodbyes at home. Sit tight in the jalopy while the designated paper signer does the dirty work. Please do not ever turn 2 year old Trixie, 4 year old Freddie, and snot nosed 6 year old Sadie loose, allowing them to run through the hallway, peer through the glass at the other animals, grab pens off the desk, and look to me for socialization. I don't get paid to babysit.
- Bringing animals to us either at noon or at 5:30. We open at noon...your arrival with Fido at that time tells us "good god, i can't take one more minute with this animal, i refuse to spend one single minute longer than i absolutely have to with it." Coming in at 5:20, when we have 10 more minutes to go, with Fluffy and her offspring is just rude. We are close to beginning our end of day tasks...coming in when you had all afternoon...yeah, that's just not a good way to score points.
- people who leave a voicemail that is a) inaudible or b) lacking contact info such as a phone number
- people who refuse to get to the point. It's a buisness, it's not freakin' story time. What's next, a rousing game of duck, duck, goose? Oy. i think i just jinxed myself.
there are other bug-worthy traits but at 10:30ish at night and running on one hand's worth of sleep hours, and being drained from the week...well, that's all i can list right now.
and i'm supposed to help you how.....?
and such begins a snippet of the crazy that is the norm for admitting....
promptly at 11:59, one minute before we even officially open for the day, a female called and the following ensued....
She "Hi. I'm new to the area, and I have a cat. She's in bad shape...she can't walk, she's stopped eating, and she doesn't really drink much. And she has an ulcer inside her mouth that has just burst open- it's really bad..."
(at this point, i'm thinking she is looking for information re: euthanasia options)
she again "I have a vet appt for Fri to have her euthanized...I found a place that will do a payment plan. But I really don't think she's going to live 3 more days. I'm new to the area, and i'm just wondering what i can do...."
at this point, a long silence is noticable...I'm trying my hardest to figure out what she is asking. Is she asking to have fluffy euthanized here and have the vet transfer the payment to us? Is she 'comparison shopping' and checking our rates vs the vet?
she continues "My boyfriend, he works, but he doesn't get paid till Friday. So, i'm just wondering...I'm new to the area" (I think this has been established by now) "and we don't have money for gas...."
aha! she's looking for a way to get to the vet!!
I respond "is there a taxi service in your area? public transportation?..."
again, she informs me "i'm new to the area..." (omg, this is starting to get old)
I ask her what area she's calling from and she tells me Holland. Good deal...Holland definitely has public transport (The Max), and there is a taxi-ish service (Blue Dog) that runs there. Again, I inform her of those very real options, and ask if she has internet service (to allow her access to Max's site to find her nearest bus stop).
she "yeah, i get the internet, but only what i can pull up on my phone" (crap, there goes the suggestion of finding her closest stop...no way is that going to display on her cell)
I offer a couple of known stops, one at Meijer on the north end of town, and a stop near Hope College in downtown Holland. Again, i am informed that "i'm new to the area...." So, I'm assuming she does not know where these landmarks are...I ask if she has a neighbor, or can get to the library to pull up this site (seriously, by this point, she could have had Fluffy to the vet).
she "No, i live out in the sticks, and i don't know anyone. I'm new to the area...." (is she getting paid for every time she says this???)
Keep in mind, this is the beginning of the day, when the floodgates open and everyone calls us. While I am talking to New in the Area Nellie, I see the other lines on the phone lighting up and can hear the ringing...what do i do? continue holding nellie's hand and deal with 90million voicemails afterward? Put Nellie on hold and risk losing her to the abyss of new in the areaness?
I offer the final options that I can conjure...the bus...a taxi...or calling her vet that this appt is scheduled with to see if they have any suggestions or help.
"Oh." she says very displeased. "See, I'm new in the area, and my aunt...she used to be the president of the Berrien County Humane Society. Because I'm new here, she suggested I contact my local humane society..."
Okay.
Still trying to figure out if this girl is new in the area. I think she may be.....
promptly at 11:59, one minute before we even officially open for the day, a female called and the following ensued....
She "Hi. I'm new to the area, and I have a cat. She's in bad shape...she can't walk, she's stopped eating, and she doesn't really drink much. And she has an ulcer inside her mouth that has just burst open- it's really bad..."
(at this point, i'm thinking she is looking for information re: euthanasia options)
she again "I have a vet appt for Fri to have her euthanized...I found a place that will do a payment plan. But I really don't think she's going to live 3 more days. I'm new to the area, and i'm just wondering what i can do...."
at this point, a long silence is noticable...I'm trying my hardest to figure out what she is asking. Is she asking to have fluffy euthanized here and have the vet transfer the payment to us? Is she 'comparison shopping' and checking our rates vs the vet?
she continues "My boyfriend, he works, but he doesn't get paid till Friday. So, i'm just wondering...I'm new to the area" (I think this has been established by now) "and we don't have money for gas...."
aha! she's looking for a way to get to the vet!!
I respond "is there a taxi service in your area? public transportation?..."
again, she informs me "i'm new to the area..." (omg, this is starting to get old)
I ask her what area she's calling from and she tells me Holland. Good deal...Holland definitely has public transport (The Max), and there is a taxi-ish service (Blue Dog) that runs there. Again, I inform her of those very real options, and ask if she has internet service (to allow her access to Max's site to find her nearest bus stop).
she "yeah, i get the internet, but only what i can pull up on my phone" (crap, there goes the suggestion of finding her closest stop...no way is that going to display on her cell)
I offer a couple of known stops, one at Meijer on the north end of town, and a stop near Hope College in downtown Holland. Again, i am informed that "i'm new to the area...." So, I'm assuming she does not know where these landmarks are...I ask if she has a neighbor, or can get to the library to pull up this site (seriously, by this point, she could have had Fluffy to the vet).
she "No, i live out in the sticks, and i don't know anyone. I'm new to the area...." (is she getting paid for every time she says this???)
Keep in mind, this is the beginning of the day, when the floodgates open and everyone calls us. While I am talking to New in the Area Nellie, I see the other lines on the phone lighting up and can hear the ringing...what do i do? continue holding nellie's hand and deal with 90million voicemails afterward? Put Nellie on hold and risk losing her to the abyss of new in the areaness?
I offer the final options that I can conjure...the bus...a taxi...or calling her vet that this appt is scheduled with to see if they have any suggestions or help.
"Oh." she says very displeased. "See, I'm new in the area, and my aunt...she used to be the president of the Berrien County Humane Society. Because I'm new here, she suggested I contact my local humane society..."
Okay.
Still trying to figure out if this girl is new in the area. I think she may be.....
Admitting Etiquette 101
In the interest of preserving my sanity (or any other hard working poor soul), just a helpful primer on do's and don'ts on entering the inner sanctum of admitting....
Don't
Don't
- go into a long winded story about the history of the incoming animal, how difficult a decision this is, how life has done you wrong, etc etc. Admitting is super busy (especially in the summer time) and if there aren't 2 other cars pulling in the lot behind you, there are 4+ phone lines waiting to be answered. I will treat you fairly, but respect my world...I don't have all day to deal with you. I need to get your animal(s) in and out of admitting as quickly as possible.
- Be prepared. If this is your animal you are surrendering, be prepared with info about the critter (especially if Fido or Fluffy is coming to us for a behavioural/medical issue). Also, in this day and age, you can't really do any sort of "transaction" anywhere without having to fill out some form of paperwork. Be prepared with identification, and payment, if necessary. Going one step further, it's always a good idea to call ahead so that you know what will be needed/expected.
- Enter the hallway with your animal and turn it loose. There are several doors that access admitting which are often opened by folks passing through to another part of our facility. A loose animal can bolt out said doorways and run amock throughout the shelter, posing a threat to visitors, current animal residents, staff, and the incoming animal itself. I don't really feel like trying to wrangle a feral cat climbing the walls, or corralling a dog gone nuts.
- PAY ATTENTION! There are signs at the end of the driveway, throughout the driveway, and on our doors- they are not there for decoration...they DO serve to relay vital information helpful to your visit to our humble lair. You'll be one step ahead of the game if you pull out of your trance, look for any signage and read it (okay, and following said instructions will help too). Specifically, the signs on admitting will inform you of the need to contain your animal; not to make small children a part of this experience; and our hours.
- Be rude. I am generally a nice person, and will treat you with the respect and courtesy that I would expect if I was in your shoes. But if you give me attitude and become combative, I WILL turn it on and go from 'sweet' to 'bitch'. If you don't like our policies, you are free to go elsewhere. Don't like that we are not taking animals in later in the evening? Go elsewhere. Don't like that we are not open bright and early? Go elsewhere. Don't like that we charge a fee to take in a surrendered pet? Elsewhere you may go.
- Be humane. Regardless of your feelings or attachment to the animal you have with you, and regardless of your feelings towards myself or our staff...remember that the bottom line is you have a responsibility to extend some semblance of humanity towards this animal. It can not speak, and can not fend for itself on its own.
what is a "crazy"?
So, in the coming posts, you'll often hear me refer to the people that I encounter as "crazies." What is a "crazy" you ask? "Crazies" is a term to refer to the collective masses coming through our doors...some are good, well meaning people full of stories, etc, while the others are those whom common sense and compassion skipped a beat and missed them all together.
About
I'm starting this blog as a way to unleash the demons of the day, and hopefully reach new eyes/ears who can be educated. I often make these adventures my Facebook status, but that results in beating the same crowd over the head w/ my rants. Time to expand, people!
When folks hear that I work at an animal shelter' the first thing they think is "Oh how fun!! You must get to play w/ the dogs and cats all the time!" I hate to burst any bubbles, but no...it's not a frolicksome job. Actual animal interaction is more of a rarity in my day. Rather, I coddle the crazies who stream through our doors, as efficiently & respectfully as possible. If I can do that without blowing my brains out, it's been a successful day.
This blog will give you a taste of that world, and possibly educate as well. A brief warning...The language WILL be salty quite often. Also, pictures may occassionally be presented that are cringe inducing (I'll warn first so you can look away if need be).
Thanks for reading and remember to spay & neuter!
When folks hear that I work at an animal shelter' the first thing they think is "Oh how fun!! You must get to play w/ the dogs and cats all the time!" I hate to burst any bubbles, but no...it's not a frolicksome job. Actual animal interaction is more of a rarity in my day. Rather, I coddle the crazies who stream through our doors, as efficiently & respectfully as possible. If I can do that without blowing my brains out, it's been a successful day.
This blog will give you a taste of that world, and possibly educate as well. A brief warning...The language WILL be salty quite often. Also, pictures may occassionally be presented that are cringe inducing (I'll warn first so you can look away if need be).
Thanks for reading and remember to spay & neuter!
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