I have actually been giving thought to a great deal lately that I have wanted to post about. However, the lack of time.......... well, you know how that goes. In any event, this particular thought has been rolling around in my head since I heard about the catastrophe at the Caboodle Ranch.
Short background - Caboodle Ranch is in Florida. A kindly retired man bought a large piece of property and gave a home to cats who otherwise would have been euthanized or homeless. He built beautiful "CatHouses" and condos for them. He visited every one of them every day and knew many by name. He fed them, and when they became ill, cared for them with the help of a local vet.
I first read about this amazing man and amazing ranch perhaps two years ago - and was inspired by what he was doing. I often thought that this might be something that I would like to do when I retired as well (mostly because I often find the company of animals far more comforting and pleasant than the company of many humans).
In March of this year, he was arrested and all the cats removed from his property. This beautiful place was trashed, all the "CatHouses" destroyed.
With something over 600 cats, its no surprise that not every cat was the picture of health.
I am sure that the raid on the Caboodle Ranch was prompted by some animal-loving soul who only intended to do good - but, this person did not stop to THINK about the long-term consequences of their actions.
There are millions of homeless animals who either should or could be pets or, even sadder still, WERE pets. Through no fault of their own, they have no home. Local Animal Control services do what they can - but, often end up euthanizing perfectly healthy animals due to overcrowding.
People give up their pets for many reasons. In this economy, the pet will often become another mouth to feed from a non-existent paycheck. Sometimes, people develop allergies or their children develop allergies - and a pet in the home becomes a potential death-threat for the allergic person. Some people give up their pets for stupid reasons too - like finding out that walking the dog at 6am in a foot of snow is NOT fun.
Like people, there are pets fortunate enough to be with middle or upper class 'parents'. These pets often can get somewhere between good and tremendous care. That is why we have groomers and treats and special foods - because there are people who can and do care for their pets as they do themselves. These people can also afford to have their hair done professionally, manicures, pedicures, and day spa trips. This is NOT to say that these people are wealthy - just comfortable.
Also like people, there are pets whose humans can't afford to take them to the vet for every sniffle or can't afford a groomer or trainer and buy the popular or even grocery store pet foods. These same people probably don't run to their own doctors often and utilize store brand foods themselves. But the humans can - and DO - give the best care they can and love to the animals that live with them.
There is no price which can be placed on love.
One doesn't have to be a financially well-off person to provide a good home.
Animal rights activists often seem to forget this. In their quest to ensure that all animals are treated 'humanely', they lose site of what the definition of 'humane' is. Humane means to treat others as you would yourself - or as you would treat another human. The owner of Caboodle Ranch did exactly that. He provided a place for cats to live. He gave them all as much care and love as he was capable of. Indeed, the cats were as human to him as any other human - and likely more human than many humans. Many of the cats that were taken in would have been euthanized. Many would have simply died on the streets of some city or become meals for other predators - predators they were incapable of defending against. He gave them a chance to live. He gave them food, toys, shelter, and care. The majority of the finances came from his own pocket. The love came from his heart.
Animal rights activists would have you believe that he cared nothing for these animals, that he was cruel and ignorant towards them often ignoring their ills or wounds. That he did not provide veterinary care. They would have you believe he kept the cats in filth and squalor.
With Caboodle Ranch gone, there are a few other places for cats with no home to go... but, for how long? How long will it be before the next place is also raided and destroyed by some well-meaning do-gooder?
