Why Do I Have This Nagging Feeling That This Is A Really Bad Idea?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
July 27, 2009 12:07am CST
I was listening to the radio...I tune ointo 1010 Wins newschannel here and heard an announcement that the Animal Care & Control in the NYC area plans to adopt out cats from now until Labor Day for FREE and have a feeling this is a bad idea.
The idea behind it all, is that the AC&C shelters are overloaded with cats that need homes and they claim that they haven't euthanised any pets, especially cats in a long time (bullcrap--they kill pets on a daily basis) and the idea is to adopt out as many cats as possible before they do begin the practice of putting down (killing) the cats.
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- This year New York City Animal Care & Control has not had to euthanize any healthy animals because of space and officials say they would like to keep this going for the remainder of the year, if not indefinitely. They can only do this if the public comes into the shelters to adopt any one of the hundreds of adoptable cats.
(NOT a referral link but to an article)
http://www.1010wins.com/Animal-Care---Control--People-to-Adopt-Free-Cats/4873458
On the AC&C website itself, it lists not only "FREE" cats but all the benefits one can have by adopting a cat at one of their shelters, such as
* New York, NY – July 17, 2009 – AC&C is urging New Yorkers to come and adopt a cat or kitten, and will provide the following to all adopters through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009:
* FREE adoptions of all adult cats (one year old or more)
* FREE vaccinations,
* FREE spay or neuter
* FREE visit with a participating veterinarian,
* FREE microchipping, and a
* FREE “Welcome Home” goody bag.
Here's the AC&C website address
http://www.nycacc.org/
Now while this sounds oh so perfect and great, I have one real nagging thought---I have no idea how well AC&C screens people who want to adopt pets...and even with the any kind of screening process, not all people who wish to adopt pets are who they seem to be. To my mind offering pets for free is a death sentence...why?
Since I'm tied with various pet rescuers, I know for a fact, that many pets are "adopted" from shelters, and even places like craigslist and turn around and sell these innocent animals to labs (where one can get up to $300 per animal) or use them as bait for dog fights--and the fact that AC&C is giving away these cats for free is all the more tempting for unscrupulous people to do exactly this sick betrayal to an animal who thinks its getting a new home
What do you think about AC&C's plan to adopt out cats for free? Do you think it could possibly attract the sickos of society to adopt a cat and then they sell it to a lab or as a bait for dog fights?
13 people like this
27 responses
@krodrigues (76)
• Canada
27 Jul 09
I see why you're a little bit hesitant about this. Although animal abuse can happen at any time, this seems to me to be a perfect time to 'attract the sickos'. I do hope for the cats' sake that they do screen the individuals taking them, but realistically it seems improbable. It's really a shame. Cats are my favourite animals :(
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I think you of all people know what a kitty lover I am. I really do hope a lot of cats DO find good homes and not some other purpose by sickos
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
27 Jul 09
We have The Cat Haven here in Perth and the cats there cost around $ 120 which includes sterilization. They shelter as many cats as they can but they admit that they have to put some to sleep when they have been there a while which breaks my heart but that is a harsh reality of life and the reason I adopted my second cat Rosie. I found her as a stray at around Christmas time and when unable to find her owners I called The Cat Haven they informed me they would take her but could only keep her for a couple of weeks because they are usually inundated with unwanted kittens around Christmas and they are unable to house them all.
I tend to agree with The CatLady in regards to the fact that if you pay for a pet you are more likely to take care of it. I didn’t know that one could sell pets to labs, I feel sick at the thought and I appreciate your concern in regards to Animal Care & Control.
The R.S.P.C.A. here claims that they have not put any animals to sleep for many years and I do find that hard to believe; at least The Cat Haven tells it like it is and if a person is prepared to spend $120 there’s a good chance they may be a good pet owner.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Wow--$120 to adopt? I was reading on the AC&C website that cat adoptions are only $20. Well my two kitties were "free" if you think about it...but they have the most charmed, pampered lives you could ever imagine (and they know it...LOL)--they only get Fancy Feast wet food at 99-cents a can and get expensive dry food--but then again, I have great respect for all animals and would never view an animal differently just because they were "free"---unfortunately, most people don't think like that, do they?
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 Jul 09
I bet we spend more on our furbabies than we do ourselves. $120 still seems steep though. I remember years and years ago, when we adopted "Footie" from Bide-a-Wee it was $50 and included sterilization fees, but then like I said that was years ago.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
28 Jul 09
$120 includes the first lot of shots and sterilization so the cat is basically free; they just want to make sure that owners get the animal 'fixed'. My felines are very spoiled, one of them has been very sick lately and recovering. He is on a special prescription diet that costs over $20 a week just for him and with three other pets in the house mu husband is not impressed. I haven't told him yet that the vet bill was almost $300 but he is sure to find out soon!
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Agree with you, while on the surface it sounds wonderful it's a proven fact that 'free' usually means the person receiving is not going to have the dedication and devotion to the 'object' no matter what it is. Free pets too often end up deserted, dropped off, not cared for - hey, it was free so nothing lost when the novalty wears off. Add to that the issues you stated.
While I feel our shelter charges way too much for adoptions (think it's now $75 for a cat) I do know they at least do some screening before adopting out.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I've also heard those stories, tons of them in our area alone. I am happy to say although one of my sister's homes was forclosed on she did manage to get a job in Chicago but wasn't able to take her aging dog with her. She found a loving home for him, friend of another sister's. I think some people just don't see an option while others just don't care.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
One sad fact is that even when some people adopt a pet and pay for an adoption fee they are often dumped when the "cuteness" of the pet is over with, or when they come to age when they need to be fixed and the owner doesn't want to pay the expense...or another story I hear is how many pets are left behind in a home that has gone into foreclosure.
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I don't think its ever a good idea for a shelter to give away free pets. They cannot check these people out well enough so that they aren't giving pets to the weirdos that will hurt them. Also as many others have mentioned they might adopt the pet for free but then are unaware of the real cost of owning a pet. Food, litter, vet bills--I spend a lot of money on my furbabies. I paid $50 for my Ashley at a pet store that took in stray kittens, the money was for the food and vaccines they had given her. I got Carlye for free from my vet, but I think it is okay for a vet to give away kittens, because they know their clients, who really cares for their pets and who doesn't. They were extremely happy to give me Carlye, whom they especially liked. Anyways this seems like a bad idea to me as well. But killing the cats isn't the answer either.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Animal Care and Control, of whom I hate with a passion to begin with, has always been a kill shelter...in the article they mentioned they haven't killed off any pets in months..what a crock...they kill on a weekly basis
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208885)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I think that it could but some of the pets will probably get really good homes out of the deal. I would worry about them being euthaninzed at the shelter rather than unscrupulous people adopting them. Maybe then there will be some pets who will be happy adopting pets. Maybe if someone does seem shaky they can follow up with the people to see what would happen.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 Jul 09
Unfortunately I don't think AC&C has a good screening system, or if they screen, they don't follow up to see how the adopted pet is doing
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Nope I don't think I'm being cynical...since I have ties with pet rescuers I unfortunately know what goes on out there in the world as far as pets being adopted for less than honorable means...not that long ago was a famous story about how one guy adopted three cats for free from craigslist...he used them for some kind of bizarre satanic ritual
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I couldn't agree with you more. Sad, sad world with sick people who will do anything for money. It makes me feel that all adopted pets should get chip and be truck by shelter later after adoption. I know they have visitation schedule, but I would make sure those pets are safe....
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I'm not a great fan of AC&C to begin with...wish they would re-establish themselves at least as a no-kill shelter
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I think there will be quite a bit of people who would adopt a pet that normally would not be able to because of the initial cost. What worries me about those people is that they wont be prepared for the ongoing costs and they'll have to return the pet.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Or worse yet, they just might dump the pet on the streets
1 person likes this
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Remember the majority of people are good, and I hope the few bad apples do get caught, there are no assurances in life though, look at my situation I thought I married a good person, who decided to become wicked...
People can change over time, they can be good one year and bad the next or that can work in reverse. It all depends on outside stimuli and what is real in the heart of an individual.
I know in some cases the wickedness will live forever... Once that becomes obvious to me I draw a line and put up a wall. I'm sure you know what I mean...
Peace and Blessings,
Sincerely,
Gary
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I'm sorry to hear you've had so many problems. Yes people can change...and not always for the best
1 person likes this
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I understand where you are coming from Pyewacket. I know your love of animals especially your cats. It is true that when the word free comes into play it opens up a door for every nut job in the city. I would have to insisted on a background check of some sort. Maybe they have stipulations on where you live, house or apartment. I am sure they have set up some way of dealing with some of the issues. Unfortunately, when people become desperate they will bend the rules. We can only pray that our fears dont come to be truths. I dont think they would want to deal with the scandals that will come out of this if they dont be very careful. I bet you it is extremely difficult to get approved. Maybe they will run credit or check bank funds.I will keep my fingers crossed. Dont worry friend! You know what you could do. Try calling and there and tell them your concerns. If they are professionals they will calm you fears. If you do, please let me know. Dont worry my friend. God is going to watch over each and every cat I promise. dl
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Well I emailed the 1010 wins news station and holy moly got an answer back from the very reporter who did the interview at AC&C and her reply was "hopeful" too that the cats really do get a good home. I also emailed AC&C and they haven't answered me yet. I'm not fond of AC&C--they claim they haven't killed/put down pets in months...what a lie as it IS a kill shelter and very overcrowded--they need to put down pets on a weekly basis.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
27 Jul 09
OMG! Pye! Please tell me that this isn't so! I would die
if that is what could possibley happen! Why would they do this?
It would be more humane in this situation for them to eutanize
the cats and I am so against that! I would rather they put
the poor sweet cats to sleep humanely then to give them away
where they could possibly be tortured! How do we stop them
from doing this? And why would they? They are smarter than
this and know that these things are a possibity so why would
they put these poor sweet defenseless animals lives in
jeopardy? What is it that we can do to stop them? Please tell
me! I have alot of friends who would die if they knew that
this was a possibility! They are avid animal fanatics and
protectors! Please tell me what to do and I will contact them
with the information! One of my best friends and some of
her contacts lives in NYC so I can let her know and she will
get her contacts involved right away!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I wrote to the 1010 Wins newstation and the reporter who covered the story answered back and very nicely I might add..I also wrote to AC&C but those jerks DIDN'T answer me yet..I hate them to pieces--Going to email you...want to know who you know...LOL--
1 person likes this
@puddytat101 (657)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Let's just pray those kitties go to good homes. Sadly, probably at least half will not treated the best they could be treated while others will take good care of them. If I could adopt them all, I would. I've saved a few in my lifetime and now I have just two. Poor things...they need birth control!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
If I had real money to kick around with I would love to establish my own pet shelter, and think there are a lot of other animal lovers out here in mylot land who would love to do the same thing
1 person likes this
@dolphin2406 (1224)
• Poland
27 Jul 09
Hi, you have a good point there. I like the idea that they will give free neutering since it seems many people don't do it and do take cats for check ups or give them the needed jabs since they cost money, so that is a good initiative. But as you said I'm not quite sure if they check out and interview the people who want to adopt. I know some shelters here do that to ensure that they are given to good homes and will be taken care of. I guess if someone wants to experiment they don't need to adopt from a shelter but they will breed them themselves. I once read that some use them to test animal feed and don;t treat them quite well.
Since they are adult many people will not get one since they would prefer a kitten especially if its for kids. So from that side I don't think that families who will then throw them out when they grow will be amongst those adopting the adult cats.
some people still don't respect animals and that culture must change.
Have a nice day! 
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
That unfortunately is probably the reason this shelter has so many cats as they are older ones...too many people just want to adopt cute kittens (or puppies) and not older animals. I remember years ago when we adopted a cat from a shelter it WAS expensive but the cost included neutering for free, giving that incentive to fix the pet so couldn't breed
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I do NOT agree with the "free" adoption for the same reasons you give but also for the "free" part. IMO anyone who only adopts an animal because they cannot afford to buy a pet will not be able to afford the upkeep of the animal. It is quite expensive to pays for all a pets needs, i.e. vet care, annual shots, medication and proper nutrition. I know how much it costs me to take care of my pets and it is NOT cheap!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Yes taking care of pets IS an expense, but one I'm willing to do, even buying top quality cat food for my two pampered pets--in my case, my two cats were free, but that for me that doesn't mean they are any less "worthy"--of course I have a different mind-set than a lot of people
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
28 Jul 09
oh man..our shelter never has adoption package deals.
instead they charge $80 to adopt a "mature" animal,and wonder why they're usually
full occupancy.
in most cases,i'd say it's a bad idea.
might encourage less than caring people to adopt a "throwaway" pet.
i do think the free spay/neuter idea alone would be worthwhile,however.that's enough of a bonus for me.although i have mine done no matter what,they charge over $150 here.my brother and sister kit's cost me about $260 with spay/neuter and first shots.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
30 Jul 09
the kittens are $100! that shocked me more.
they will give you a deal if you adopt two at once,but only then.
i usually go for the ol' codgers.
they're like "are you sure?"
yes i'm sure.if they have a few years left,let 'em be good ones.
their mouth dropped when i took the 10 year old over the kittens.
their mouth dropped when i took the 10 year old over the kittens.@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 Jul 09
Too bad they don't lower their fee to adopt an older pet....it's unfortunate but most people would rather adopt cute cuddly kittens or puppies rather than full-growns. When I was in that muddle my mother created...and you know what I mean, I did adopt out my cats free but I was a real stickler doing follow ups...some folks did adopt my older cats and they are doing great..and the best thing at the time they adopted made a donation. One cat adopted by a wonderful woman named Virginia adopted Pixie, who was already 12 years old when she adopted him he's now 16...he's doing great and sends me regular pics of him
Here's one pic of him..as you can see, he's taken over her bed...LOL--typical, right?
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I agree with what you are saying, but in this case, as others similar... what else do they do if they are over populated with the cats (or other animal) The state can only put so much money to support them, donations are accepted but usually not enough... who supports all these many many many cats for years and years? And while being supported they multiply. Where does it end? I don't like killing anything, but at the same time...is it better to keep them boxed and caged up for their lifetime with no hope of ever being free? Which is worse?
And if they don't fix them.. the reproduce so when they give the cats away, its a sure fire assumption that that cats babies will be at the shelter before to long.. or roaming the streets and being victimized.
So what's the answer? I dont' know either
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Animal Care and Control is one of the worse pet shelter systems going..it's a KILL shelter---they kill off thousands of pets each year, and kill on an almost weekly basis, so it's not like the animals are being sheltered forever
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I totally understand what you are saying,, and I do have compassion for the animals and don't like them being treated horribly.. however, as you said....
"they kill off thousands of pets each year, and kill on an almost weekly basis"
If they have that many...for lack of nicer way to put it... what else are they supposed to do with that many animals? If they kill 1,000 pets each week...let's assume they don't... so every week the city or location, state..whatever... adds another 1,000 abandoned pets to the shelters.... end of the month.. there are 4,000 pets in the shelter...end of the year there are..over 40,000 homeless pets...there is no way in the world that any shelter could possibly house this many animals, much less care, feed, shots etc for them all. And since no city or state could possibly pay the bill for a shelter like this...
So it is kind of a "better of 2 evils" decision...it is horrible to have to kill them.. but at the same time.. is it any better to not kill them, but keep them all cooped up for life cause no one wants them?
They should at least have any animal that leaves the shelter fixed so they do multiply and their babies all end up back in the shelter.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jul 09
It's a real rarity that those animals would be sheltered for all their lives...the usual policy is that when a person "surrenders" a pet to AC&C the pet is examined to see how healthy it is...usually any sick pet is put down right away, as well as the older ones as the shelter realizes there's very little chance of a much older pet being adopted since everyone prefers cute kittens and puppies
Now this plan of theirs to adopt out cats for free could backfire in another way...the idea is to adopt the cats out to people who normally wouldn't have the money due to the adoption fees...well then how the heck is the person going to afford providing for it such as food and litter costs--I spend a minimum of $50 or more a month for food alone for my two cats...so when these people realize the expense of just feeding their newly adopted cat, guess what is going to happen? They are either going to return the cat to the shelter or worse dump in on the street--so offering a cat for free isn't the solution
@Annmac (949)
•
30 Jul 09
I can understand your concern. I've fostered cats for our local rescue centre and to give away an animal for free is never considered. They vet people carefully and try to ensure they genuinely want a pet and understand what it entails.
Giving cats away not only encourages those sickos you mention but it encourages people to see them as disposable. If people get something free they see it as worthless.
To me if someone isn't prepared to pay for an animal or cannot afford to buy it, how can they afford to keep the animal if something goes wrong. Vet fees and yearly vaccinations, flea and worm treatments etc aren't cheap or free so my main concern would be that these poor cats will eventually be back in the shelters or abandoned to add to the ever increasing feral populations most large towns and cities have, not just in the States but over here in Europe too.
I personally think it's a very bad idea. If they are so willing to give them away I seriously doubt they'd bother who took them!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Jul 09
What I can't understand is that the usual adoption fee at AC&C is that astronomical to begin with...only $20.00 which is dirt cheap. You're right though, if they think adopting out cats for free will encourage those who would normally not be able to afford fees, how are they going to afford the expense of keeping the pet?
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
28 Jul 09
they shouldnt give out free pets. lots of sick people will take them and do sick things to them. like that scumbag michael vick.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 Jul 09
Argh--don't get me going about Micheal Vick and now they want to reinstate him in the NFA????
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
30 Jul 09
let's all create a petition and get many signatures, and mail it around to make sure they dont reinstate him anywhere.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
28 Jul 09
thats the first thing i thought when i saw this discussion. that the cats are maybe going to bad places to be mistreated because supposedly if you have money to adopt it says you have money to maintain a pet. but then i thought how do we ever really know who these people are that adopt? i have known people pay for a pet, then decide they cant keep it. they either give it to whoever will take it or drop it somewhere because they cant get their money back. its sad. its why i try not to ponder on these things. i cant even stand to watch those sad commercials on tv because it breaks my heart and theres nothing i can do about it.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 Jul 09
I can't watch those TV commercials either...think I know one you might be thinking of...the one for the ASPCA with that song in the background, "In the arms of an angel"--I cry like a baby every time I see it
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
29 Jul 09
thats the one. and i cant watch animal cops on the animal planet channel. i just get so mad at people, i want to run my fist through the tv at them and i know it wouldnt help
1 person likes this
