Cooni, I love you

[k9Karen]

I can understand the burn-out rate. I wouldn't last very long in a situation where I went in with the idea to help the animals and found out that conditions, policies, and personalities wouldn't allow that to happen. If an animal dying from a preventable illness isn't a sign to the people in charge that something is wrong, they are either totally blind or in complete denial. I'm sure funding is a major issue, so to get any idea accepted, it's going to have to fit within their budget. Resistance to change is a major factor as well - we are all resistant to change in some ways because change causes stress and it's our natural instinct to avoid stressful situations. I hope you're able to convince them that change is needed - if you can get that far by getting that admission from them, you should have a chance of getting them to accept at least some of your ideas. Maybe they would be receptive to a "baby steps" approach and be willing to make a couple of simple changes to see what effect those have and then gradually make other changes in stages. That would be less stressful and probably would be more likely to last.

[Traci]

I know what you're saying is true, Karen, and I intend to do that if I'm allowed to have my say.

It's going to be tough. Any previous issues I've brought up in the past have been met with excuses, nothing improved.

Funding for addressing this particular issue shouldn't be an issue. Antibiotics (secondary infections) and good nursing care are cheap in terms of a shelter operation. Ignoring basic husbandry is simply unacceptable. I intend to educate them on that particular matter, whether they like it or not.

[k9Karen]

I wish you lots of luck with this. I hope they will listen and that they honestly want to improve so what happened to Cooni won't happen to another animal. Let us know how it goes

Good Luck

[Cleo]

Traci, I am so so very sorry. I read your post calmly but as soon as I saw Cooni's picture I lost it. What a tragic loss that did NOT have to happen. I can only hope Karma rears the ugliest of evil upon Randy's kids for not looking out for the cats humanely. Those poor little furbabies.

[Traci]

Thank you Cleo.

I was going to make a special request but I know you already have a lot on your plate. If you can spare a pox on the guilty, I'm indebted. Karma indeed.

[LisaLisa]

Traci, I'm so sorry that you have to go though all this. Hopefully Cooney is playing at the Rainbow Bridge with Emmy and all the other furkids left us.

[Tambrey]

Traci..I have been "lurking" here but was too distraught to reply...I am so sorry about Cooni and pray for the others...

And as far as this meeting goes...you will do great...especially with the SO there for support and counterbalance...I know I tend to go off and be hot-headed and react...whereas mine is more logical and even headed...even though we are both Geminis...LOL

And remember my own personal favourite saying

Never argue with an idiot...they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience...then any bystanders might not be able to tell the difference between you!

Prayers for positive changes when the meeting does come to be

[Traci]

Thank you Lisa and Tambrey.

Yep, that saying portrays these people pretty well.

I was discouraged and actually laughing when one of the director's messages stated she wanted to invite one of the rescue directors "because she is considered the cat expert and has much experience with cats".

Except everyone in town considers her a hoarder. She runs a "cat sanctuary", where she has 100+ cats on a daily basis and does little to nothing to promote their adoptions. While most are healthy and thankfully no outbreaks of disease have occurred there, the facility is outdated and she needs more space and most of the cats have been there for upwards of 6 YEARS!!!.

The county also "hired" her to oversee 200 dogs seized in a puppy mill raid, not giving one thought to the 100+ cats she was already responsible for caring for every day. The dogs were kept at a holding facility for several months before they were eventually adopted (a long sordid story in and of itself). There is now a lawsuit against the county for not following proper protocol. And now the "cat expert" has three of those dogs, which she has no room for and she is definately not an expert on dogs!

Anyway, update - I haven't heard from the shelter director for several days, just sent her a message to check on the status of this so-called meeting. I'm willing to bet this entire issue is going to be put on the backburner and it will be business as usual

Randy's son has been across the street doing some repairs last few days. It is so hard to open the blinds of my office window to see an empty house and not seeing Cooni, Rusty and Squeaky sitting in the front window catching sun rays.

[KJMTA]

Your a much stronger person then I am Traci. Just what you do on this forum is alot.

[Traci]

Thank you, KJMTA, I don't really feel strong right now (defeated more like), I'm just not willing to give up!!