Wolf Within

Stray animals are common to every community, it's how the community deals with the stray animals that makes all the difference.
Cities across Canada have evolved into recognizing the "family" values that pets bring into a home.
In the Country, "stray animals" means either lost, dumped off by some city folk or over population of a farmers barn animals (dog or cat)
Where cats are concerned:
Cities have evolved into recognizing the dangers of over population and between animal lovers, rescue groups, kind vets who assist in spay and neutering of strays and shelters, stray populations are more controlled, see less inter breeding and are healthier than in previous years.
In the country, barn cats - legally, require warm shelter, food and water - however those who adhere to the law are far less than those who don't.
Inter breeding is not viewed as an on going problem. It is common to have up to 20 cats and when the population over exceeds itself, jumping to lets say 40 after birthing, then the population is dropped by shooting some off. "Simple cuz there'll be more - soon" and as they see it, all farmers live that way - when you get too many, you shoot them.
They see no problem in that, where as - there shouldn't be more soon.
Spaying and neutering, feeding, watering and providing safe and warm shelter is the responsible thing to do -
I've seen several cases of "I don't feed 'em or give 'em water, they fend for themselves, they're animals and have a job to do"
-Anyone who views it differently (like i do) is crazy or meddling.

Now, for those who have read my blog, it's hard to believe some of the events that went on - because not everyone has the same point of view or understands the difference of lifestyle between the city and the country, so it's hard to believe that others could be so cruel - but in the country, even though we have seen responsible folks agree to spaying and neutering of their barn cats many don't agree - therefore over population occurs, starvation from lack of mice to feed the population, violent fights between the population for territory and food, fatal injuries, others literally freezing half to death, disease, dehydration - the list goes on.

It's common knowledge that City dwellers have been known to "drop off" unwanted pets in the country, thinking that their pet has a better chance of survival - well, think again (unless someone like I or an animal lover finds them first)

Dogs:
Dogs may be fortunate to find a good farmer who needs another dog or know someone who does, but if not - the dog's life is pretty much over.
.... - alot of indoor companion animals do not adjust very well to full time outdoor seasonal life
- territorial farm dogs will fight to the death if an intruder is discovered on their land - or they will beat the living crap out of them and they'll run off, lost and very confused.
- if by chance the dog wins and the farmer sees this, he'll more than likely shoot the abandoned dog, figuring it's wild or vicious.
- if the dog is out for a couple of nights on it's own, the odds are a pack of coyotes could cross it's path or even a pack of wild dogs
- if some kind person comes across the animal and calls Animal Control thinking someone is looking for their pet - if animal control comes to get the dog, the dog has about 72 hrs before it'll be put down...
- you get the picture -

While we realize that things are handled differently in the city, things are not the same in the country for a variety of reasons in variation of lifestyle - that's normal - but actually understanding it, is another story.
So the problems I had, were because of the way most viewed what dogs and cats are for - "shelters" were not a part of their vocabulary - but we've made progress and through communication and sticking to our guns, things are more hopeful with exception to the odd trouble maker and gossiper - but we have seen those that we have been able to reason with - take their sociable barn cats and have them altered - that is such a big step for progress - I am so proud of them for their compassion and at the same time, makes hanging in there, more rewarding.
(now to get them to lock them in at night - where there are actually mice to prey rather than become prey themselves)

Due to slow progress, the animals in the shelter are merely fostered for period's of time, or until we see that the animal is a pet and not just a barn cat.
Due to the lack of success in giving away the cats, we ended up with larger vet bills from finding them on the streets beat up or pregnant.
Due to the condition that some were returned in and required vet care, we see no reason to "get rid of them" to just "anyone" like it is continually suggested and until further notice - we will only be fostering them into homes

Our programs will be either with or without the animals in the future - catering to those who like or dislike animals.... either way, it all supports the shelter, so that's the main objective.

We're short a director - she was somewhat a "spy" for those who negatively oppose us, "to see what we were up to" and when one's heart is not in the right place, they relate to things the way they see them in exaggerated fashion - she spread alot of gossip and now that we know it was her, she was removed her computer and other society papers.
I do have someone in mind, who I tried to get 6 months ago - she's an enviromentalist, has a good head on her shoulders and runs a tight ship - busy but I just need her a couple of times every few months... we'll see, besides, she's german with a long set of legs and I can see how I'd dress her in a body suit for the calendar - we'll get it out by next year for sure!
So for those who live in the city, I hope that some of this entry helps anything else you may have read from past entries, make more sense.
And for those who live in the country and have barn cats, I hope they are loved and cared for...

I can hardly wait to get my puter back up and running so I can work on the new program's posters