Milo's Story

This post follows my previous post regarding pet adoption. About two years ago, I adopted Milo from the animal shelter I now volunteer at. I was looking for a cat to keep my other cat Blue company since I had to put my other cat down when he got cancer. Blue had got used to having another cat around, and I felt she was lonely. So, I decided to go to the shelter instead of a pet store, since I had heard about all the homeless pets needing homes. I walked into the shelter with the intention of adopting a cat, but only if I found one that I felt an immediate bond with. When I was walking around the cat room, looking in one of the cages, I noticed a white paw sticking out of the cage next to the cat I was currently looking at. I looked over at the white pawed cat and when he saw me looking at him, he stuck both his paws out. He was stretching his legs of the cage in between the bars as far as he could, as if he was saying "let me out! take me home!" I asked one of the employees to open his cage so I could see him. I laughed as he tried to play with the keys as his cage was being unlocked. He started purring immediately as I pet him and licked my hand to give me kisses. I knew this was the cat I was looking for. And he has been a part of my family ever since!

Make a difference: Adopt a Pet

You may have heard the various ads from animal organizations....Save a life, adopt a pet..or, Spay & Neuter your pets. I cannot emphasise just how true this advice is. A few months ago, I started volunteering at my local LA City Animal Shelter. I work with the cats (you may have guessed by my profile name that I love cats), but I have also seen the dogs and rabbits. There are so many pets just waiting for a new home. Although everyday adoption occur, there are also new pets dropped off at the shelter. Just as the pets leave, more come in. A lot of the animals that are brought in are found as strays. Some dogs & cats are also brought in by their current owner. I realize that some pet owners find themselves in certain situations where they can no longer keep their pets. It is better that they bring the pets into the shelter than to leave them abandoned. But I do feel sad for an animal that once had a home and is suddenly put in a cage in a strange environment with lots of other animals around them. But, as I said, it is much better to bring a pet into the shelter, than abandoning the pet or having it put down.

At the LA City Animal Shelter, they try their best to find each and every animal a new home. The shelter I volunteer at actually hold the animals for several months. Many think that city shelters euthanize animals only after a few days if they are not adopted. This is not the case here. They try their very best at saving the animals lives. This makes me happy to volunteer. I go in and help clean the cat's cages and give them food or water, as needed. I also give the kitties lots of attention and love. Hearing the cats purr as I pet them gives me joy. I leave knowing that I have helped in some small way to make a cat's life more enjoyable in a not so ideal situation (being homeless).

So, in sharing just a little on my volunteer experience, my message to you is, when looking for a new pet, check out your local shelter. You just might find the perfect pet who will be grateful for being saved. And if you have pets, please get them spayed or neutered to prevent more homeless pets. There are many organizations out there that provide discounted services on getting your pet spayed or neutered.