they said my cat was too ugly!!!!!

United States
January 2, 2007 1:08pm CST
So I took my cat to this place where they don't euthinize because my health condition has gotten worse and I can no longer take proper care of her. I got her all loaded up in the carrier and drove down there and they told me they couldn't take her because she wastoo ugly. Yes, the lady actually used the word ugly to describe my cat... I was motrified. My cat is not ugly and I have a real problem with a professional at a cat shelter discriminating against my cat I'm not sure how to handle this and I'm hoping to get some ideas...
14 people like this
89 responses
@DRoddy77 (1776)
• United States
2 Jan 07
That's horrible! I wish I could help you but I wouldnt even know WHO you could call and complain too unless you called and asked to speak to the manager of the shelter or something? I hope you can find a good home for your kitty!
6 people like this
• United States
2 Jan 07
Thank you for your support ... I still can't believe it . She's really not ugly at all.
6 people like this
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I would love to see a picture of your cat. I know that she is not ugly! I still cannot believe what that woman said to you. It's really shocking and an outrage that anyone would say such a thing, let alone a professional.
4 people like this
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
2 Jan 07
OMG that is too funny, how absurd that they couldn't take a cat in because it is ugly (in their opinion) I have never heard of such a thing. I am posting the link for the Humane Society in US. You should report this to them and also you can get help from them or find a shelter near you on their site. Good Luck and I hope you get well soon. www.hsus.org
5 people like this
• United States
2 Jan 07
Thank you for the link. Unfortunatly the org. that offers this program is private so they apperently have their own set of rules...
6 people like this
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
2 Jan 07
You can also check out FreeCycle, there is probably a group in your town. I got my munchkin cat from a local freecycle member that needed to find a home. I have also found a home for a guinea pig on there. Just go to the main site and look for one in your area....good luck www.freecycle.org
4 people like this
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Oh! Freecycle is an awesome organization, you should totally check out the above link. I wish that I had thought to offer it to you myself. I haven't used their services, but they have chapters all over the country, and you can gain a lot of useful things through them and give away things that you no longer need! ^_^
4 people like this
@KrauseHome (36449)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Wow!! This sounds a little rediculous if you ask me. One for sure I had never heard of before. What type of place is this that they discriminate against a Cat, and would rather see it euthinized instead of kept alive? Especially if you suffer from a condition where you feel you can no longer care for it like it should. This is unreal if you ask me.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Jan 07
While I wouldn't personally ever discriminate because of looks, I can understand where their coming from. You have to understand how many people are giving up cats all the time. After awhile, they don't give a rat's behind what your story is. You're giving up a cat, they have a limited number of spots. If they aren't allowed to kill pets because they are a no-kill organization, they're going to have to choose who to take in. Otherwise, they will quickly be full of a bunch of black cats that no one will adopt. That's the sad truth of it, if you want to be no kill, you have to be picky or you'll have the same animals for ever. If it was a low kill shelter, they could still take the cat and if it proved unadoptable, would euthanize when they needed room. But then you don't get that guarantee that your cat wasn't euthanized.
4 people like this
• United States
2 Jan 07
Why dont you try Freecycle. Many of the freecycles allow people to post their cats for adoption. Not sure where you live but if you go to Freecycle.org you can sign up to your local chapter and post there. It will take you a day or so to get your account set up since it needs to go through an application process but in the end you might end up getting a new home for your adorable cat. Good luck!
4 people like this
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I am so glad to hear that you are going to report this woman! And am really pleased that you have found a good home for your cat. Thanks for updating us! ^_^
3 people like this
• United States
2 Jan 07
Well I just spoke to my sister and her mother-in-law is going to adopt my kitty.Thank God. After that experience it would be too hard to send her to strangers. She'll only be going a few hours away and I feel really good about this. Thank you for the support. I am still going to report this woman so that this type of thing doesn't happen to someone else.
5 people like this
@Melizzy (1381)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Call Peta. They will be on that place quicker than white on rice. They can not discriminate against your cat. Call Peta. Look them up in your local directory or online. Tell them exactly what was said and they will do something about it. Meanwhile, go to www.petfinders.com and see what cat rescues are in your area. Call them and they will find someone to foster the cat for you and then find it a home. Explain about your declining health.
@LovingIt (5396)
• United States
3 Jan 07
PETA is NOT the answer! PETA is against even having cats as pets to start with! PETA is not a good organization for pet owners to be dealing with!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Unfortunately, they can't do something about everything. They can hardly even handle the more serious problems such as pet mills. They can run large campaigns to help on general issues, but it's harder to get the volunteer power for a local thing. If a rescue doesn't have room, they can often still help place animals and you'll just work it as if you're a foster parent. Except, you'll continue to pay the cat's expenses since it is your cat to begin with. But the cat rescue I used to volunteer for was pretty much always full, but would let anyone bring their cat to adoption days as long as it was spayed/neutered and vaccinated.
5 people like this
@Melizzy (1381)
• United States
2 Jan 07
It isn't about what they can do immediately. They keep a list. Get enough copmplaints and something will be done by someone. Just because you won't see an immediate result, doesn't mean you won't see a result at some point. But if nobody files complaints, then when you get to a serious violation, it's like it's the first one all over again.
4 people like this
@Jlowe110 (313)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Ive never even seen an ugly cat before... Ill take you cat when my neighbor moved my cat was in their moving van lol so they have her now.
5 people like this
@rmuxagirl (7548)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Oh my goodness. I couldn't imagine my cat going into my neighbor's moving van. Did they realize the cat was in the van.
4 people like this
• India
3 Jan 07
let it be like that you know the cat is not ugly
2 people like this
• United States
2 Jan 07
That's horrible. Were you able to contact the moving company to let them know?
4 people like this
@Jshean20 (14349)
• Canada
2 Jan 07
This sounds really strange. People who work in those places are supposed to have a lot of love and respect for animals..as if she would call your cat ugly...(you're sure that you heard her properly)? I know that animal shelters and such places are desperate for helpers so maybe they hired a girl with that kind of attitude because they were desperate..how awful though. I would imagine that it was hard enough for you to give your kitty away without having to deal with something like this. I think you're doing the right thing by trying to find a home for her though..sometimes it's tough to accept the fact that we can no longer care for our animals.
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Is this a place that would adopt the cat out to someone else that would be able to properly care for the cat and its medical condition? Maybe they were meaning ugly in the term that the cat's medical condition is too far gone for a person to want to adopt. Either way, I think the lady should have been more tactful. Just telling you that your cat was too ugly was a very poor choice of words! To put it nicely. And if it is an organization that is ran on donations...I don't think there is anything you can do about addressing the rude lady besides talking to the manager of the organization.
1 person likes this
@tigrashadow (1086)
• Australia
3 Jan 07
that is appalling, ive never heard of a shelter or any other organization like that, discriminating against the looks of an animal...maybe you would be so kind as to add a pic of your cat and put on your pics page for us to see.. there are surely other shelters or organizations that would take her and not euthanase.....otherwise i suggest putting up a flyer or 2 around your area to offer your cat to someone who wants her.... good luck
1 person likes this
• Canada
3 Jan 07
That's quite mean! I'd actually go back and try again, and if it's the same lady or something similar happens, ask for the person in charge. That's horrible how someone could say something like that! It's just downright awful! I really think you should go back and try again, and then ask for the manager or whatever. I really think it'll work out after that.
1 person likes this
@amienf (57)
• Indonesia
3 Jan 07
cat will not be ugly when taken care of better
1 person likes this
@SK401001 (934)
• United States
2 Jan 07
WOW, I can't believe that, the nerv. I suggest you write a letter to the Person in charge, hopefully you have her name, I would even send a copy to your local paper... Maybe nothing will come out of it but you tried.. Good Luck
3 people like this
@usman400 (1587)
• Pakistan
3 Jan 07
Take ur cate to some beauty parlour (ask address of that beauty parlour from ur cat) lolz
1 person likes this
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
2 Jan 07
It is absolutely horrible that a shelter would not take your animal simply because of it's appearance! I can't believe that any professional would say such a thing.. how shocking. It is sad what this society has come to that we are even judging animals on their appearance. It is bad enough that we judge each other so strongly on such matters. I hope that you find a good home for your cat! ^_^
@krizz420 (4385)
• Canada
2 Jan 07
Im not sure how you would handle this since I have never heard of anything so stupid in my life. All animals are beautiful and should not be discriminated against because of breed, look or colour.
1 person likes this
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
2 Jan 07
I guess she thought no one would adopt that cat and that they'd be stuck with her forever. Just take the cat to a different shelter or perhaps find someone you know who can keep the cat. Some animals are very ugly, but some people respond to ugly, they think the animals are so pitiful that they fall in love with them. Others don't want an ugly pet. It depends a lot. But even ugly pets need TLC :)
1 person likes this
• Romania
2 Jan 07
i'm verry sorry for you.I have a cat to and somebody sayd that to me to and i know that is not true.He is a nice kitty.I know how you fill and i'm really sorry i hope you find something good for here sombody who can tacke care of her.They were bad people they don't have the right to say that.I don't know your cat but i know that she is lovely becouse they arrent ugly animals.
1 person likes this
@ummhasna (70)
• United States
2 Jan 07
all cats are not ugly to me in my eyes we can not help the way god created these beautiful animals i am a cat lover im just so upset that she had to nerve to call your cat ugly did she look in the mirror because her inner and outer beauty is not that great shame on her. You can talk to the owner of the shelter and make a complaint on her i was about to say call a lawyer for discrimination suit lol what was i thinking i think i went to far im acting like it is my cat sorry i know that there is someone who love to take care of that adorable cat. or you can post a flyer up in the neighborhood letting everyone know that you trying to find a good for the cat and you dont want to take it back to that shelter they might mistreat the cat bad people!
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 07
I think that's horrible anyone who is an animal lover could not even think of saying something like that. I honestly don't think that person should be trusted working with animals. If you haven't found a safe place for her yet you should try best friends animal sanctuary in utah. They take in all animals and find them homes and they take care of them.You can look them up online.
1 person likes this
• Australia
2 Jan 07
Unfortunately although I don't find animals ugly, no kill shelters need to look at it from a rehoming point of view. Certain types or looks of cats do not appeal to the public as much as others, BUT, that does not mean that they should be able to call the cat ugly, unsuitbale maybe but not ugly. THat is downright disgraceful. I am glad your cat is going to a new home where it will be watched and not too far from you. It is always heart wrenching when you have to give up one you love. Hope your health improves.
1 person likes this