Is this a bad mindset?

[tiffers]

...I'm just curious about everyone else's opinion on this. I am not bragging or boasting, but giving some insight on my situation.

I would like to rescue rats versus buying them from a petstore. Cool Whip has certainly shown me that the best rats don't come from the stores, they come from other families. If I think back...my all time favorite ratties were rescues except my hairless, Penelope.

My idea is this...I think that I would only like to adopt those needing medical attention. I get 50% to free vet care, and I have the determination and mindset to help ailing rats (animals in general)...where other's would turn their noses. I would be willing to take rats with tumors that will only last a matter of months because I feel like I can provide them with a better life than any shelter for the remainder of their time. (I've often thought about when Chica and Catillac go...I think I would go to a shelter and only take an animal needing medical attention.)

Is that wrong of me? ...to only want to see the sick and ailing animals? I think that I can offer them a second chance where almost everyone else would only want to see the healthy animals.

[lindsayanng]

No way!! I think that is GREAT of you. I have the same thoughts, although i dont get the discounts on vets, i prefer to take in the MOST needy animals, not that all homeless animals arent needy.

its like my Cappy, i REALLY wanted him BEFORE i knew he was missing a paw, then once i saw his missing paw, then i just COULDNT say no.. now theres a momma cat in the shelter that has been there for MONTHS and she is missing an eye. i can not stop thinking about her and i want to take her in SOOO bad.

I can not afford animals with severe medical issues, but the ones who are "deformed" or less desireable because of their looks or age makes me want to take them even more.

So i KNOW how you are feeling, and i think the world needs people like us who will help those who might not be able to be helped by many .

[That_girl]

I think it's a wonderful mindset, but I definately don't think it's for everyone.

Most people really don't understand what can all be involved in taking in animals that are sick or injured. So many things can go wrong, vet bills can be really expensive, and some people just aren't cut out to deal with the heartache.

Tiffers, there is so much you can offer pets with special needs. Giving animals a second chance in a proper home is the best thing anyone can do.

Normally, I tell people not to take their work home with them (namely, me). But for you, this is awesome.

[tiffers]

...I know that I will be setting myself up for lots of heartache, especially because I get so easily attatched. But, even if their life is shortlived...I know it would be welllived with me.

I do agree that it is not for everyone, and it's not like I'll be cycling through them monthly...and I don't plan on more than one of a species...I don't know, I just feel odd turning away healthy animals...like, when I'm on the road and I see a decent looking stray...I leave it alone. But, the 1/2 dead one's or the one's needing medical attention, I'll bring to work with me to either end the misery or save their life...

[That_girl]

I think that's a result of your work though. You recognize the ones in dire need....when the marjority of people are like "blood...in my car? no way" and just leave it to die. I think many more people will pick up a heathly looking stray than one that looks mostly dead.

[Julia423]

It's your gift. We all have them. Mine is to work with squirell-y young boys. One year I "inheirited" an 8th period, freshman English class consisting of 30 boys, 3 girls. Today, I got "the spitter" again...a 7 year old boy who can barely read. He spits on everyone else but me.
But I love them. :)

[tiffers]

...I think you're right, Julia. We all have something to offer...mine is just enough compassion to sway a decision one way or another (humans/animals alike), while you have the patience of a saint...which I certainly don't have.

[Ltlpistol]

You get that from me, kiddo, a little bit anyway. I've never taken in a dog or cat that wasn't the runt of the litter, and usually needed special care. But the mostly willing to doctor the sickest, that's all you baby girl. And I think it's one of your more beautiful attributes.

[ringletchk]

GOOD GRIEF Tiffany! That's the best thing you could do.

When animals are sick they need someone like you who would love and care for them and make them comfortable and wanted.

Even if the animals you adopt don't make it, you can make their last days, weeks, months, etc. better than being in a vets office cage somewhere or put to sleep.

You know when animals get to that point when "it's time" and they would never have to suffer.

[katiem]

I think it the best thing you could do Tiffers! And yes, you will have heart ache, but you also will have the joy of knowing that those ratties lived out the rest of their lives with someone who loved them and was looking out for their best interest.

[ferJenna]

I'd say go for it!! You have nothing to feel sorry for!

[tiffers]

...I get so darned attatched to any and everything that needs 'assistance', so I know I'm asking for it. But, you're right...it will hurt for a short time, but I will at least know that I gave them a second chance and I gave them the best few months of their lives.

Does the Humane Society really house rats? Or would I need a rat rescue?

[ferJenna]

Our humane society has them. A whole lot of them...

[tiffers]

...I'll have to call our's. I've always thought they only carried dogs and cats.

[Gerry]

...I'm just curious about everyone else's opinion on this. I am not bragging or boasting, but giving some insight on my situation.

I would like to rescue rats versus buying them from a petstore. Cool Whip has certainly shown me that the best rats don't come from the stores, they come from other families. If I think back...my all time favorite ratties were rescues except my hairless, Penelope.

My idea is this...I think that I would only like to adopt those needing medical attention. I get 50% to free vet care, and I have the determination and mindset to help ailing rats (animals in general)...where other's would turn their noses. I would be willing to take rats with tumors that will only last a matter of months because I feel like I can provide them with a better life than any shelter for the remainder of their time. (I've often thought about when Chica and Catillac go...I think I would go to a shelter and only take an animal needing medical attention.)

Is that wrong of me? ...to only want to see the sick and ailing animals? I think that I can offer them a second chance where almost everyone else would only want to see the healthy animals.
I think its a great shame that there are not more people with your sense of compassion for animals that are in need of care:)

[CatsnRats]

For the record, when I adopted Trisssha, Trisss, and Trissskette, there was a girl there who was obviously very sick. When I asked about her they told me she had a large tumor in her abdomen and that they were just watching her until it was time. I told them that if her condition started to decreased rapidly to call me and I would come pick her up and give her a loving home until she died. I spent that week feeling guilty for leaving her there. The next week I was in that area for a dentist appointment. It was three days before payday but I scraped together the adoption fee from loose change and leftover lunch money and brought home Reireishii. She bit everyone, she never wanted to be held, and she spent most of her time hiding in her igloo. Two weeks before she died, she let me hold her for the first time. The night she passed away, she curled up in my pajama top and watched cartoons with me until it was time to move on. There's not a day that goes by that I do not regret having adopted that beautiful girl and letting her know that she was dearly loved no matter how sick she was.

Even sick animals need love and if people like you and me don't take them, who will?