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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Wordy Wednesday: Horror in WV

Because much of my social media is cat-related, on a daily basis I see cats in desperate need of help. I share when I can, but I also try to be sensitive to the fact that many people are bothered by this. There is only so much any of us can do, and seeing these images day after day fosters a sense of helplessness after awhile.

But Monday night while I was scrolling through my Facebook feed this picture ripped my heart out:

(Facebook: Imagine Home)

These cats are living in deplorable conditions in a "dog pound" in Logan, West Virginia. Their dry food is thrown on soiled newspaper, a steel bowl for a litter box overflowing, and there is no sign of water around. If animal control were called to a home to find cats living in these conditions they would be removed and the owners hopefully punished.

The Paws Squad is a rescue group in Logan that pulls from this pound on a regular basis, and they are in desperate need of fosters, especially for cats. These cats have been there for a month, and as I write this on Tuesday, the situation for these little angels is dire.

West Virginia is one of the poorest states in the country, and this area has been hit hard by job losses in the coal mining industry, but that is still no reason to treat the most innocent among us like this. As easy as it would be to just "go off" on this "shelter", that isn't going to get these babies the help they need right now.

So what did I do? I shared their story on my Facebook pages, as well as on a tortie rescue group that I belong to. I blogged about it. And then I curled up in bed with Truffles and I cried. And I'm still crying. For these lost souls and all of the others that I can do nothing for but click my mouse and hope someone sees it who can do more.

To those precious little angels: I am so, so sorry that the world has treated you this way. You don't deserve it. You should be lounging in sun puddles, playing with catnip mice, living a beautiful life filled with love and security, not cowering in fear in a cold cage. I wish I could promise you that, but I'm just so damn helpless.

If you can help, please contact thepawssquad@yahoo.com
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27 comments:

  1. GLOGIRLYNovember 12, 2014 at 12:38 AM

    Oh sweet Melissa and Truffles. We cry with you. We will share and tweet and pray with you that one of those clicks reaches someone who can step in.
    (((hugs)))

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  2. Andrea @ This Pug Life November 12, 2014 at 1:16 AM

    Good grief they couldn't even use a leftover cardboard box for a litter pan? Ugh... that's all I can really say. :(

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  3. M. K. ClintonNovember 12, 2014 at 1:59 AM

    Don't despair Melissa. You are doing more than most and sharing photos on social media is a way to help. If it makes you feel any better, I broke down in the middle of the Humane Society when I saw a female Basset Hound that was spending her first day on a shelter. Her area is much nicer than those poor cats, but I am still helpless other than to share her story. I will share these babies too. ♥

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  4. My GBGV LifeNovember 12, 2014 at 6:29 AM

    That looks like a dreadful place, not fit for dogs or cats! So very sad!

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  5. Fur EverywhereNovember 12, 2014 at 7:09 AM

    Wow. That is just terrible. I know that Denver Dumb Friends League rescues many cats and dogs from dire situations, hoarders, etc. I wonder if they know about this. These babies should not be treated this way :(

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  6. Seville at Nerissa's LifeNovember 12, 2014 at 8:08 AM

    Oh my gosh... That IS so heartbreaking. Those babies deserve SO VERY MUCH BETTER than this.

    Melissa, Truffles... Never feel guilty for sharing. Sharing really does saves lives. I've seen it happen so very often. I know that many peeps find it difficult to think about cats in these dire situations but you know what? I find it difficult, too. It wrenches at my heart, pulling it apart and yet, I STILL SHARE. I keep on goin', night after night, knowing that SHARING SAVES LIVES. You've done a wonderful thing, bringing this situation to light.

    Now, let's all see what we can do 'bout saving these precious babies. Workin' together, we can do this.

    Purrs,
    Nissy

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  7. AnonymousNovember 12, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    Heartbreaking...

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  8. Hannah and LucyNovember 12, 2014 at 9:59 AM

    This made Mum have leaky eyes - even the streets would be better for those poor cats as they'd be cleaner. We can't help as we are too far away but will pray that they are rescued and get placed in a shelter.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  9. Carma PoodaleNovember 12, 2014 at 10:10 AM

    There is no reason for any shelter to treat animals that way. They say its better for the animals to be in a shelter than out on the streets but there are times I have to disagree. I hope these babies get out of that shelter alive. Will share to get my followers attention and hopefully they will know someone close that can help or a transporter that can get them out to a better shelter or foster.

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  10. Samantha & MomNovember 12, 2014 at 10:17 AM

    Oh my gosh!! We are so sad to see this!! Thank you for all you do!
    Hugs,
    Samantha & Mom

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  11. Talent HoundsNovember 12, 2014 at 10:36 AM

    Oh poor babies, that's so sad to read.

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  12. Two French BulldogsNovember 12, 2014 at 10:48 AM

    Some humans need to be shot
    Lily & Edward

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  13. Athena Cat Goddess Wise KittyNovember 12, 2014 at 12:27 PM

    It is terrible and I can't believe the horror some animals go through. I really hate some humans :(

    Thanks for sharing.

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  14. ANGEL ABBYGRACENovember 12, 2014 at 12:55 PM

    We will also share and your tears are ours as well.

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  15. Angry Girl FitnessNovember 12, 2014 at 12:58 PM

    Awwww :-(

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  16. wildcatwoodsNovember 12, 2014 at 1:11 PM

    Sharing o our Twitter page - Sharing is a great thing to do to get this word out. Purring that someone can help them. Is there any no kill shelter nearby -even in another state that can step up?

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  17. Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats November 12, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    As they say...Sharing is caring and the situation for these cats is deplorable and if sharing your post can change the world for them...it will be worth the sadness I feel right now. If the staff are so overworked that they have lost the ability to love and care for those in this shelter...then they need to change professions!

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  18. Kitty Cat ChroniclesNovember 12, 2014 at 1:21 PM

    Wow… that is completely heartbreaking. My heart aches for these babies. I know exactly how you feel, Melissa. I wish there was something else I could do for them other can click to share. But I suppose it's better than nothing...

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  19. Cathy KeishaNovember 12, 2014 at 1:44 PM

    It seems like people are trying to help but The Pad Squad isn’t getting back to them. Sigh. Maybe these poor babies would be better placed in a feral colony in the area.

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  20. UnknownNovember 12, 2014 at 2:55 PM

    That is so sad. Those poor kitty-cats. They deserve so much better as so many pets in shelters do. You can only do what you can do...and sharing their story may just help find them loving homes!
    Oz

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  21. Pawesome CatsNovember 12, 2014 at 3:37 PM

    So sad, we truly hope something can be done for these kitties - they deserve so much more than this. xx

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  22. meowmeowmansNovember 12, 2014 at 4:17 PM

    This is heartbreaking. Thank you for doing what you can to help these poor babies.

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  23. pilch92November 12, 2014 at 7:56 PM

    That is such a sad sight. I hope by spreading the word they can be helped.

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  24. Summer at sparklecat.comNovember 12, 2014 at 11:13 PM

    I pinned and have a Tweet scheduled for Thursday morning.

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  25. AnonymousNovember 13, 2014 at 9:50 AM

    What a horrible situation for these kitties! Homeless kitties have a very hard life. We have to be thankful for the ability to save the ones we have saved. I will give this post a share.

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  26. Jans Funny FarmNovember 14, 2014 at 1:43 PM

    Can understand why you cry over them. :(

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  27. Marty the ManxNovember 15, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    Oh My God this is so heartbreaking! Hope someone sees your post or the shares and can help.

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