I work at the humane society as a volunteer, and recently they've begun a crackdown on ill cats. It's one of my jobs to report any possible symptoms of disease.
Well, there was a cage of 3 kittens, and two were sneezing. What's the right choice? I had two choices-not report the sneezing and risk all three of their lives or possibly save all three, or to report the sneezing and get the two kittens killed but definetly save the third.
What's the right choice? Why?
2007-08-10 06:25:38 · 14 answers · asked by Echo 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Also, I have two cats of my own at home and I don't want them to get sick, so fostering was completely out of the question.
2007-08-10 06:37:18 · update #1
Follow the rules. Harsh as they seem, the rules are there for a reason. Upper respiratory infections spread like wildfire and an entire shelter can become infected. If that happens, every cat there will have to be euthanized, the building will have to be thoroughly cleaned, and no more cats can be taken in for a quarantine period, usually two weeks.
I know your heart goes out to the little sick kittens. A feline URI can be treated, though it's not cheap and the treatment goes on for a while.
Personally, I would find the responsibility for reporting disease symptoms too heavy for me, and I would resign and volunteer elsewhere. Deciding what symptom is significant and which are not is a job for a person trained in vet medicine, not a volunteer, and I wouldn't want to think an animal's future was depending on my opinion.
2007-08-10 06:38:39 · answer #1 · answered by Kayty 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1.Report it, there is a reason guidelines are set out for you in this case (to report it).
2. This may spread to other kittens, animals and/or humans.
3. Usually 1 in 3 kittens will be accepted to a new home anyway, and the other two will join the statistics if worse comes to worse.
4. It may just be dust or something which is why they might be sneezing, not necessarily a illness worth putting them down for.
5. Its awfully humane and painless how they are put down kittens now adays. And honestly id rather be dead than have a disease which impairs my ability to function to my fullest.
2007-08-10 06:33:41 · answer #2 · answered by HuLiEn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are sneezing that doesn't necessarily mean they are ill, it could be allergies they are suffering from. It also could be a mild cold in which case it will clear up on its own. If you feel you can't make a decision because you aren't sure, I would ask one of the vets on staff, and get their opinion. I would also clarify with your boss what constitutes an "ill" cat, like if the cat can't stop vomiting, or doesn't want to eat, those are signs of serious illness.
I also commend you for volunteering your time to a great cause.
2007-08-10 06:30:06 · answer #3 · answered by thebabydingo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes you have to sacrifice a few to save the many.
If it's the policy to report sick animals, they must have a reason. If you're concerned about the kittens, take them home yourself. Otherwise, do what's best for the hundreds of other animals in the shelter trying to say healthy and get adopted.
If more people got their cats spayed and neutered, there would be less kittens in shelters, and people like you wouldn't have to make these difficult decisions.
2007-08-10 06:35:48 · answer #4 · answered by hrcarr 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Report it, and ask what their outcome would be. If they say that they can't "have it" there anymore, then ask why they can't just get it the medecine it needs. You definately don't want to get a bunch of other cute kittys sick from only two that started it off. You're better off reporting it, and possibly saving the other one if it isn't sick yet.
I know it's a hard choice, but just think about the kitties .
2007-08-10 06:54:53 · answer #5 · answered by Scarlet Begonia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Report it….I love cats as well but the sick can infect more than just the one other kitten and then you will have a bunch of sick animals to worry about.
2007-08-10 06:29:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
why don't they start all 3 of them on some antibiotics and see if it will clear up. I work at a no kill shelter. we only put an animal down if they are just too sick or multiple cycles of antibiotics haven't done the trick and they are not getting better etc. or if they are highly aggressive, and trying to socialize them doesn't help.
2007-08-10 07:04:16 · answer #7 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cause of them sneezing can be really simple in terms of how to fix it, it all deoends on wether your shelter just wants perfectly healthy cats.
I would take them off to a vet then adopt them myself, but I have the finances to do that.
2007-08-10 07:43:48 · answer #8 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tough questiohn, tough choice: being a cat /animal rights defender/lover I would say do not report. On the other hand what are the chances for the poor unwanted kittens to be adopted? Why do we human beings have to decide whether life should be taken away? Please stand by them and give them a chance to live!!
2007-08-10 06:30:20 · answer #9 · answered by Minina 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The right choice is to report it. To do otherwise risks other animals in the shelter. The people running the shelter want what's best for the animals too.
2007-08-10 06:29:36 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋