I asked my students:
"If you were a cat, what kind of life would you prefer?
Would you prefer to be caged up for the rest of your life but with food, water and shelter provided?
Or run free in the rain and sun but possibly die young due to some sicknesses or accidents?"
My students answered without hesitation:
"Live fast, Die young."
Our clinic is involved in some stray sterilization program. We get patients from all over Singapore ... as far as Woodlands.
Some animals are brought in by carers, trappers and even owners - under welfare arrangements with NGOs like SPCA and CWS.
From our assessments, a large number of animals that are certified authentic strays are of excellent condition...cf those that are so called "shelter" or "adopted animals".
Sad.
Thinking that by giving shelter and food, these misunderstood creatures will be cared for.
In the end, they are confined to overcrowded, dirty areas that they cannot get away from; beside sickly "house mates" with contagious diseases that are not receiving proper treatment; adopted by "fur parents" that refuse to seek medical treatment until the condition is too severe.
A client told me that she feels responsible for the "outside" stray cats. She must look after them, rescue them and help them whenever she can.
She already has 70 cats of her own.
Where do you stop?
For some - NEVER.
Recently, our clinic rescued 5 kittens. We brought them up and are planning to rehome them.
We had many applicants, but most do not meet our requirements (e.g. not willing to sterilize the kittens, allow roaming etc).
We felt conflicted because we want to look for good homes but yet we are worried that the kittens will not be properly taken care of.
So we provide for them as best we can.
Odd... at some point, this belief - "to provide the best we can" - may become worse than what they can find roaming in the streets.
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