In December, our Cat Box Clinic vaccinated 35 kittens and cats and provided more extensive veterinary services, including treating skin, ear eye, and upper respiratory infections, for a total of 14 kittens and cats. Kittens like “Boots”, a 6 week old who was rescued off the street, covered in motor oil, in an area where cats are not treated well. Even though Boots’ person is unhoused at the present time, and did not plan on adopting a kitten, they could not “leave him on the street to die”. Our medical director Dr. Rachel Hoffman and RVT Claudia, gave the kitten the best possible care, with instructions on how to bathe, administer meds, and provide ongoing care for little Boots. So sick when he arrived, he could barely move, and now look at him, just days into his treatment plan. In order to make sure this kitten and his brother “Puss” receive no cost veterinary care, we arranged for this little family to be picked up, and taken back home at the end of the clinic. Because their person does not have access to warm water for bathing, we made it possible for Boots to get a bath at Clancy’s Closet the following day. Now, they have a place to go, people to turn to whenever they need help, or just someone to listen to them with empathy.
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Check out some of the other cats that receive veterinary care in our rented 20ft storage container that we converted into an animal hospital. A model that can and should be scaled up so that our mission of decreasing unnecessary suffering for pets and their people can expand.
When people find themselves in a situation where they cannot afford necessary veterinary care for their beloved pets, it can lead to immense emotional distress and mental anguish. The deep emotional bond between a person and their pet often parallels the connection shared within a family. As a result, witnessing a pet in distress or knowing they require medical attention but being unable to provide it due to financial constraints can trigger various forms of emotional suffering that includes feelings of helplessness and guilt, increased stress and anxiety that can negatively impact their mental and physical health, and in a worse case scenario grief and loss.
Too often we hear phrases like “Don’t get a pet if you can’t afford to take care of the pet.” The reality is sometimes that cat or dog rescued the person, no matter how much money they have, or their ability to pay for veterinary care. We know that for many of us, our pets have saved our lives by giving us a reason to live, and to hope for tomorrow. How about you? Did you plan on getting your pet, or did he or she just “happen” or “show up one day” and now you could never imagine your life without them. You can always send your thoughts and comments to Lori@downtowdogrescue.org.
