Cat Euthanasia Rate Drops Dramatically in Philly

NBC News ^ | July 25, 2014 | Elizabeth Fiedler

[Innovative]

Those who run the city's animal control shelter say more cat foster parents are helping save feline lives.

Cat euthanasia was down by 50 percent last month at The Animal Care and Control Team, the nonprofit that manages Philadelphia's animal control shelter, compared with June of 2013.

"For kittens alone we actually saw a decrease of 72 percent," said Sue Cosby, executive director.

[Innovative]

Sorry for your loss, but at least you know you gave him a good life and he brought joy to yours.

And there is the Rainbow Bridge...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

https://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm

[Moonman62]

[Celtic Conservative]

I put one of my fur babies down duing the depths of winter this year. One of the harder things I’ve had to do. I am truly sorry for your loss.

CC

[Biggirl]

Go veggie!

[TheOldLady]

Thank goodness that he spent his last moments in your arms with you.

Our first cat, Tiger, who walked into our garage as a 12-week-old kitten and
demanded food, got the food (oysters and cream) and a forever home.

She lived to be 19-1/2, and on her last day, she stopped eating, drinking, and
walking. She lay in my arms through the morning and half of the afternoon
until Bryan said it was time. We took her to our wonderful vet, showed her
how beautiful the sunny day was, and put her to sleep. I still miss her.

She was a good girl.


When she was two years old, she was quite a beauty.


She was about a week from the end in this picture.
She sat there motionless for a long time.
It was long enough that I have six or seven versions
of this picture.

[TheOldLady]

Thank you for the ping, SA&.

[Rusty0604]

My beloved companion, a maine coon weighing in at 23 pounds, is 14 years old. I don’t know what I will do if he becomes seriously ill, but I do know I will miss him when he is gone.

[Rusty0604]

I do not regard animals on the same level as humans, but pets do regard their humans as family as do we regard our pets as family. I don’t see anything wrong with that.

[Olog-hai]

Not the same thing as referring to oneself as a “parent”. That’s biological.

[Slings and Arrows]

Always a pleasure.

[Rusty0604]

Words.

[Carriage Hill]

I'm so so sorry for your and his loss. RIP, little fellow. He'll be waiting for you at The Rainbow Bridge, as all of mine are.

Of 19 kittens and cats, and 3 dogs, I've had since 1954, I miss their companionship, friendship and love terribly, and two I had made it to 17 and 24 years. I cried for each, and mourned and buried them. They were family and a part of our lives, as we were of theirs. Bless their little souls.

[Puppage]

I came home from 4 days away on a mini vacation......when I came through the door and realized that there was no furry treating committee waiting.....well, I cried all over again. He was the best pet ever and I told him so every day of his life.

[Puppage]

I came home from 4 days away on a mini vacation......when I came through the door and realized that there was no furry treating committee waiting.....well, I cried all over again. He was the best pet ever and I told him so every day of his life.

[Hot Tabasco]

but the term “foster parent” sets my teeth on edge as does “pet parent”.

Sorry to hear that......unlike you, many pet owners in this world have no other family to call on and thus their pets are their only family.......

God granted us dominion over all animals; those that feed us, those that serve us and those that comfort us.

Why should we not cherish those that comfort us and treat them as family?

They want for nothing other than love and attention in return for the same and we are willing to give it.

Why do you have a problem with that?

[EinNYC]

Oh, I am so sorry that you lost your friend. He is free from his pain now, after a wonderful life with his loving family. I’ve lost several cats in the past, I know exactly what you must be going through now. In time, hopefully you will feel up to saving the life of a kitten or cat at a shelter. In that way, you will honor the love you shared with your kitty.