[Dickons]

I have always had animals and most were rescues or shelter animals...I have always felt connected to them.

I vividly remember when I was maybe 5, dad coming in from the garden cradling two baby kittens who were dumped along with the mother into the garden. Dad was too late for the mom but not to late for the babies...Over the years, dad would bring home other waifs and strays (of the human species as well as animal species) that needed help and a home and I think it was probably the best way to educate us on taking care of others, empathy, a social conscience, etc.

I have never been without an animal friend for more than a few months and have always felt the need to help anyone in trouble.

Do you feel a special connection to shelter and rescue animals? Do you think it is something adoptive parents should consider as a way to create a connection that teaches you to have empathy and love for another?

Kind regards,
Dickons

[epenn922]

I had a non-adoptee friend asked me just last month, 'what's with all the animal rescues?' -- lol, my answer to her was, 'it's an adoptee thing!'

I've always connected to animals and we have a house full of rescues -- plucked parrots, rescued cats, rabbits, dogs --one of our dogs is even a hurricane katrina rescue and came up on an 'orphan puppy bus'. The only pet that we've 'bought' was our recently deceased pug. And boy, I was miffed when she came with more paperwork and more history than I did!

[SoniaRose]

Sometimes I have thought it would be interesting to take a poll of adoptees and see if they tend to choose pedigreed animals or mutts?

I personally would choose an alley cat over a fancy breed anyday.

I don't even want to walk into an animal shelter because it would break my heart. There's no way I could ever consider animal rescue because my husband would never allow it. But my heart bleeds for the poor and abandoned.

epenn922, yes, it's ironic that your dog came with more paperwork and history than you did.

[Dickons]

I have always had mutts...purebred seem so incredibly snobbish...

Going to shelters is incredibly hard, the best I can do is to drop off food and treats, those that can volunteer day in and day out are truly the best. I have only ever gone when I have woken up knowing it was the day to go, cannot explain it but each time I have found a wonderful friend. And then there have been so many cats that have found their way to my home or place of work and decided to stay.

No matter how tight the budget, I refuse to not give to the shelters...

It will be interesting to see how many adoptees respond to the post and how they feel. If most adoptees find a connection then I think adoptive/foster parents may be interested in this for their kids...if they haven't already or could be something they also are leary of, the world of adoption can be such a touchy subject?


Kind regards,
Dickons

[RavenSong]

Dickons, this is such an interesting subject -- thanks for creating the thread!

My son has always been a huge animal lover. The first pictures his amom sent me when he was a teenager showed him with his beloved cat. It made my heart just soar when I saw the love he had in his eyes for his little kitty. When he was a teenager, his first volunteer position was at a humane society and shelter. He's 37 years old now, and he still talks about those animals he helped rescue. He's still a cat lover...and has three cats at home.

I've always felt an incredible connection to animals, especially cats and horses. Animal rescue is the number one charity in our household, and we've even made provisions in our last wills for a couple animal shelters. I have five indoor cats, all from "no-kill" shelters. I also foster orphaned kittens from our local shelter until homes can be found for them. A lot of times, the newborns don't make it...but I give them all the love and warmth I can until they draw their last breath.

We have barn cats, too...a feral cat colony that adopted us years ago. I'm trying to get them fixed one by one, but they're too darn smart for me...they won't go near the trapped cages.

[ripples]

I've sometimes wondered to what extent pets undergo separation trauma by being removed from their mother and siblings.

While I'm not into a lot of animal rescue, I do like cats and dogs, and had pet cats as a kid. Unfortunately now I'm allergic to dogs and cats.

I can understand how a lot of adoptees may feel a connection to abandoned animals and animals in animal shelters/orphanages.

I remember when my sister had given my dad a sponsorship gift for orphaned elephants. I was interested to see that there was several pages devoted to explaining how the orphaned elephants go through grieving and trauma and I thought, "why don't adoption agencies provide this sort of info to adoptive parents?".

[Dickons]

Raven,

I have included my local shelter in my will too and have had a monthly debit set up for too many years to count!

Ripples,

I believe they mourn being separated from mom and siblings. My current buddy was in a shelter for many months and was almost a year when she came home and never left my side. Then I was hospitalized about a month after she came home and hubby said she sat at the window, day in, day out until I came home. Animals know...they show us in their actions that don't just appear once they have a human to bond too.

Kind regards,
Dickons

[epenn922]

Originally Posted by ripples

I remember when my sister had given my dad a sponsorship gift for orphaned elephants. I was interested to see that there was several pages devoted to explaining how the orphaned elephants go through grieving and trauma and I thought, "why don't adoption agencies provide this sort of info to adoptive parents?".

This is so true. We have an eclectus parrot that last week laid two eggs. I've been told that they're not viable because her 'mate' is a cockatoo and a different species. The thing that really stuck in my head is that I had quite a few avian people say to me 'DON'T separate her from her eggs' -- even though they won't hatch I've been told that if I take the eggs away before she is ready, that leaves a bird very nasty, possibly for the rest of her life!!

Makes me think....

[Dickons]

Okay, can't help myself - babies are blank slates (thanks Georgia Tann)...and some still believe this...

Kind regards,
Dickons

[epenn922]

Haven't heard that name (Georgia Tann) in awhile. To me, she epitomizes evil in the baby scoop era.

[bakerjw]

Animals develop attachments that surpass what a lot of experts think. I had a dachshund growing up who was heartsick when I went to camp for 2 weeks. He heard some kids playing in a field not far from the house and took off running toward it. When he realized that I wasn't there he turned and slowly moped home. Boy I miss that dog.

[BethVA62]

Great topic LOL

I and 3 of my adoptee friends are very active in our small rural county's Humane Society.

We've talked about it and have come up with this:

Like babies (and the elderly), many animals are dependant on humans, or their environment and are extremely vunerable. Like babies, they have no voice and need someone to speak up for them when they are in danger.

And 2, animals tend to have tons of unconditional love.

We held an event last month, had a live band, food, freebies, county agencies, pets were welcome (which was really cool) over 160 people showed up, we collected over $2100 in tickets and donations. 3 pets were adopted and taken to their new homes. 5 new members to the humane society. yay

This month we're holding a spay-getti dinner, hoping it will go even better.

I also contribute my time to Big Brothers and Big Sisters. We held the same type of event, same place, inviting everyone, had lots of info and activities for the kids and their families. 23 people showed up (other than the kids and some of their families) 16 of us were already involved, not one new person signed up to help. We collected $174 in donations.
It was a little depressing.

We concluded that the exchange of love with a pet is safer.

Best part - the kind souls at our local nursing home loved spending their time with the kids and the pets both. Loved every second of it.

[Dickons]

[quote=BethVA62]

This month we're holding a spay-getti dinner, hoping it will go even better.
quote]

Excellent post! Love the spay-getti dinner idea!

Animals are the best - except when they go crazy at the window barking at the post man...then they just hurt my ears and raise my blood pressure...just kidding.

Kind regards,
Dickons

[KittyMay]

Ahh yes, I believe it is an adoptee thing From the time I can remember, I've always been the one who brought home strays, hurt animals and any animal I felt that needed some extra love and attention. I used to foster animals for the local shelter, and have never turned away from an animal in need. I remember one especially unattractive dog I had named Teddy Ruxpin, a friend of mine said he was a "cheap imitation dog, he's so ugly". Well the friend was no longer a friend, but Teddy Ruxpin stayed and was spoiled, loved and wanted for all his life. Animals are also good therapy, they love us unconditionally and lack the capacity to hurt us in ways that humans can. Animals don't put labels on us, don't provoke issues that are painful and are perfect companions. I snuggle with my dog every night, we share a twin bed and she's 87 pounds, but I sure do know she is there most times with her head on the pillow and under the covers with me. Thanks for asking Dickons, what a great question! It made me stop and have something to smile about today.
Kitty

[BethVA62]

I forgot to mention
that several of the women that are very active with the humane society were severly abused and or neglected as children.

It makes them feel like they are giving back, helping where they can, it's good therapy.

So adoptees don't have total claim on this one

and also should mention I have 9 outdoor cats, due to my unwillingness of splitting up the siblings and removing them from their mother! They know what's going on, can't fool me.

Dealing with all the animals does aggravate my separation anxiety to extremes