This is Why I Rescue
A young kitten had made his home at a canoe livery and when I arrived, he was there fast asleep underneath an overturned canoe. He was in awful shape, much of his long black and white fur was gone on his beet red stomach as if he’d been scalded. He was filthy, flea and parasite infested but he was sweet. Very sweet. I didn’t even have to live trap him instead, I bundled him up in a blanket and brought him home. He purred and kneaded the soft blanket as I held him.
I flea and parasite treated him and administered subcutaneous fluids to get him hydrated. He purred as he went through it all. I had my vet examine him and he was tested for FeLV/FIV as I do all my rescued cats. She found he had a terrible case of ringworm, the worse she’d ever seen in a kitten. For weeks I took him to the vet for treatment. After 6 months of treatments he was finally ringworm free.
For 6 months I had to isolate this sweet boy I named Jeremiah from the other cats in my rescue because of the ringworm. For 6 months I was his only companion, gowning and gloving up each time I went to visit him and hold him and rock him like a baby.
He was so bonded to me and I to him I didn’t think I’d ever adopt him out. I didn’t know if I could or should. This sweetie followed me like a dog, his love filled eyes watching my every move. I was continually torn between seeking a new home for him and keeping him.
Then by chance, if you want to call it that, a potential adopter came to visit some of the other kitties in my rescue. As often happens, potential adopters usually visit the rescue with a specific cat in mind but end up adopting a different one. The one who chooses them.
Jeremiah was immediately drawn to this adopter, and she was to him. He followed her everywhere and rubbed against her. He was choosing her. Would she choose him? Did I even want her too? To be totally honest I did not. Not in that moment.
She decided she would not adopt anyone that day and went home without a kitty. I breathed a sigh of relief that my sweet, dear Jeremiah would stay with me. Maybe forever.
A week later the adopter contacted me and said she was indeed interested in adopting Jeremiah. She couldn’t get him out of her mind. She’d already filled out our extensive application and I’d checked her vet and personal references so there was nothing holding up the adoption. Technically, that is.
My heart was heavy. I was already grieving the loss of my Jeremiah. I knew it was the best thing for him. It just wasn’t for me. Not now. Not yet.
Most rescuers know they can’t keep them all. All the little lost, hurt souls they find and mend and give their hearts to. It’s not fair to the rescues to stay, to live in a rescue all their lives. Not if there’s a safe, perfect, loving home for them to be part of.
My rescue’s mission has always had 4 components: rescue those in need, bring them to health and socialize them, love and care for them while they’re here, then find the perfect home for them. Because some of the cats I have rescued have ongoing health or behavioral issues that make them unadoptable, they remain here. All others are adopted out as suitable adopters are found.
Even though I cried for days after Jeremiah left, seeing his loving eyes everywhere I went, I knew it was the best thing for him even though it was so incredibly hard for me. After being so bonded to me, it took Jeremiah some time to readjust to his new home away from the rescue. His new mom was so patient with him, keeping me updated continually and sending me pictures.
And as I look now at the pictures of Jeremiah as a young sick partly bald kitten and see how he’s grown into the most handsome, healthy, happiest of cats, I know it was the right thing to let him go.
And in my heart I know (again), this is why I rescue. This is the reason why.
Jackie Deems copyright 2024
