Ref: http://www.myanimalcare.org/2011/10/rescued-cat-from-walmart.html
Wow...I had no idea the above post could generate so many comments, but thanks, everyone, for sharing your thoughts on this.
I noticed that only those who agree on moving your pets with you had posted comments.
So, to be fair on both sides, allow me to moderate this issue now....
In general, this is AnimalCare's stand on certain controversial issues, which remain controversial as there is no right/wrong in it, just what we think is best based on our principles:
1. Euthanasia - we will not sponsor euthanasia because we believe in giving palliative care to any sick, dying or terminal animal and nursing the animal through till the end. If others wish to resort to euthanasia, we will respect that.
Our reasons:
a. We believe we have no right to end any animal's life. The universe decides, not us.
b. "Do not kill" is found in most major religions in the world (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Baha'i, etc.). Since we deal with caregivers who come from all religions, we need to respect this. Our donors come from people of all religions too, so I need to respect this common thread of non-killing which is one of the first rules/precepts/commandments in most major religions. I actually do not know of any religion that allows killing, do you? It's man who allows it, I think...?
Some of my best friends in animal welfare work believe in euthanasia. I respect their belief of ending suffering. Our vets believe in euthanasia, too. But they know I don't and they respect that, and they will go all out to treat/save any animal that comes through us even though they personally and professionally prefer to euthanise the animal. On this score, we have saved countless lives - Bushytail, Joanie, Jackie, Mickey, Hero, Ginger, Karuna, etc. All of them were recommended for euthanasia, but we said no. So, our vets treated them and they are all still alive now.
So, it really puzzles me why some people call me "cruel" because I don't give the order to kill terminal animals. (Euthanise = Kill; let's not mince words here and call it "put down" or "let it go" or "let it rest"). When I don't call them cruel for killing sick animals, why do they call me cruel for giving the animal a chance or seeing the animal through till the end?
The animal is suffering, they say.
How do you know, I ask.
Can't you see, they ask.
Perhaps...but I cannot be sure, so how can I give the order to kill? Why can't I just make the animal comfortable until it breathes its last? Is that a crime?
Why must they make it sound like a crime just because they don't agree with what I do? I don't fault them for killing the animal to put it out of its misery. I believe they did it out of compassion/mercy and I respect their decision.
Do you know that animals know how to let go when conditions are no longer favourable? They do not hang on to dear life like us. They let go and rejoin the Universal Oneness when it is time to do so.
2. Spaying of pregnant animals - we will not sponsor the spaying of any pregnant animal UNLESS the pregnancy could not be detected and the spaying is done accidentally. If others wish to spay pregnant animals, we will respect their decision.
Our reasons: Respect for life, even though unborn. No killing - as above.
3. We will always recommend that owners bring their pets with them when they move house, but if they cannot for whatever reasons, we will respect that and help them source for an adopter by advertising on the blog. As I've said, sometimes, we don't know what problems they are facing. It could be financial, physical, legal, or due to many other factors. Granted, some do it out of convenience, but our priority is the animal, so we will still help as much as we can.
4. There are some people who want to give up their pets for their own reasons. Again, we will try to find the pet a new home. To force someone to retain his/her pet when he/she is no longer interested or conditions are no longer favourable is sometimes detrimental to the animal. These people might just resort to dumping the animal elsewhere, which is worse. I learnt this from a friend who has been doing animal rescue for a long time. She told me this, many years ago - If people want to surrender their pets, don't ask questions, just take over the animal if you can. That's based on her experience after years of doing this kind of work.
5. There are those who need to rehome their pets when household conditions have changed. We will help you source for an adopter. But of course, there are no promises.
On the issue of bringing your pets along with you when you migrate, I hear there are some countries that have extremely stringent rules in pet relocation. Some require long quarantine periods which may cause the pet undue stress. Some don't even allow animals in, especially elderly ones.
I remember a few years ago, my husband had contemplated relocating us to Sabah and another time, to Hong Kong, but I found out about the quarantine period and I figured it would be far too stressful for Bobby and all the cats, especially Bobby as he is very attached to me. I cannot even send Bobby for boarding as he would freak out totally (that is why I haven't been for any holiday for years). So, I told my husband I cannot go along, I'll just have to stay behind with all our pets. At that time, Vixey was still alive and she needed constant medical attention due to her growth deficiency problem. I wanted Vixey to have her vet nearby, the one who had saved her life and seen her through thick and thin.
In the coming weeks, we have a wedding to attend, out of town - a family obligation that requires us to be present for two days. But how to leave Bobby alone for two days and one night? He'll howl till no end and his blindness makes it even worse. So I said sorry, we can't commit to two days. Just a few hours for the dinner, back and forth. Why, they ask? For my dog, I said.
No further questions. The family has plenty of relatives to help them celebrate but my dog only has me. They understand.
So, the bottom line is, we do what we feel and think is right. It sure helps if others can respect us for what we do, even though they may not agree with our priorities.
And, we do the same for others whose actions we do not agree with. We can speak up, advise, disagree and share our views, but ultimately, we have to respect others' decisions and let them be.
Agreeing to disagree is a wonderful way to live in our human community of diverse cultures and beliefs. We don't have to quarrel or argue till the cows come home. We just agree to disagree. End of story.
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