Kind people need to develop the grit to Do No Harm But Take No Shit
I’m writing this in response to a phone call that I received about a situation in Queens. When the person who hired you to clean up in their home full of sick and dying cats responds to your concern that these cats need to go to a vet with “If I didn’t have to pay you I would be able to do that” you have to realize that this person is not taking responsibility for the situation they created. It’s a very unsettling feeling to have the thought in your mind that you’ve landed in a horrible situation and have no control over improving it or stopping what’s going on. Are you a bad person for thinking that? That my dear is the Hook!
Should she then spend hours cleaning for free in a site where the cats aren’t getting vet care anyway? In reviewing the facts that I know about this person I know that she has a decade long record on this same practice where she is the Holding Space for a designated group’s shifted cats when an overloaded Foster is going to be inspected. During one of her previous hospital stays a qualified rescuer did the humane thing and had the dying cats euthanized.
But she and the group she works with continue to overload naïve foster victims and when the shit hits the fan, shift them and then return them to the foster. They feel satisfied that they have done their overloaded foster a favor. In truth taking back the cats would be a favor but they wouldn’t do that because why give up a good thing when you have someone who will do your bidding and hold cats for which you’ve gotten an intake fee?
Fosters Be Aware: This is your opportunity to check out! Do NOT take those cats back. Lock your doors. Block their calls. Say NO! Walk Away!
I have to ask myself: Why am I getting this information? Am I supposed to Blow the Whistle on this group again? Am I supposed to stop working on my personal life in order to champion another person’s fight? The area of Animal Rescue is full of WEEDS that desperately must be removed. What agency will step up to do this job?
But, for volunteers and kind hearted people you will either go through a crisis that spins you into a course of Awakening and self-development or you are going to become a victim. I encourage you to continue to do your altruistic work but KNOW YOURSELF. Your weaknesses will be pounced upon by unscrupulous Users. Learn to set boundaries and maintain them; learn to be aware of things that cause you discomfort and address them and learn to express yourself. You are an Adult and you have come into your Personal Power. When you know your strengths and weaknesses you are in a position to reject manipulation and influences by someone who sees that you have a need to please others or to get validation from other people.
Wouldn’t it be helpful if people who hoard are utilized by the ASPCA and CACC to do their hoarding under their supervision with vet care and supervision by a reputable agency? I think this would be a good solution since the cats would get vet care and adoption venues by people who are qualified to do so in facilities suited to the task.
When this person, whose health is poor, suddenly dies those cats (on a steady basis maybe 50 and during a Hoarding Shift 100) what will happen to all those cats? With the ongoing supervision of The ASPCA they would be in a position of good health and on file for adoption or proper placement in a foster home. If their goal is truly to help the cats; this is where an organization with backing; resources and knowledge would be useful. This woman in Queens is not the ticket and anyone who sees that abuse has the option of walking away or if they have the courage of their convictions report her to Humane Law Enforcement: The cats will suffer either way.
