I was once a shelter cat. Through circumstances we'll never know I ended up at a rescue in western New York, and when I didn't get adopted there I was transferred to Vermont where I found my forever home.
I was one of the lucky ones, but millions of kitties just like me aren't so lucky. They live without food, warmth, and love, and then either die on the streets or in a shelter because no one ever shows up to adopt them.
Each year in the United States over 2.7 million orphan pets lose their lives without finding a home.
Yet only 30% of pets in US households come from rescue facilities.
That's why animal-lovers and animal welfare organizations across the globe will unite today with a Remember Me Thursday pet candle-lighting ceremony. The candles, which will be lit on the exact same day across the world, will honor the millions of pets who lost their lives without the benefit of a loving home and shine a light on the millions of healthy pets who are still awaiting adoption. The Remember Me Thursday global awareness campaign encourages individuals to light a candle this day (literally or virtually) and to opt to adopt, reducing the millions of orphan pets euthanized each year.
Orphaned pets can't speak for themselves. We are their only voice. Spread the word about Remember Me Thursday on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels. Don’t forget to use hashtag #RememberMeThursday to share your thoughts and feelings about the importance of pet adoption.
CONTEST: Win life-saving funds or food for a rescue or shelter of your choice! Take a photo of your rescue pet and tag the picture with #RememberMeThursday and @hwac on Twitter and Instagram to be entered into the challenge!
Photo: Fox Foster Kittens
This year we're lighting a candle for a precious little angel known only as the "tiny tortie princess." This baby ended up in the care of Fox Foster Kittens, a wonderful kitten foster mom in Sarasota, Florida, following the death of her mother in a previous foster home. The whole situation is heartbreaking and makes no sense, but the mama cat died from unexplained weight loss. She entered the shelter at almost 7 pounds and was last recorded at 3.9 pounds, but that was almost a week before she died. No necropsy was done.
Her tiny tortie baby was found weighing less than half her intake weight, with pneumonia, a ruptured eye, congested, needing to stay on a warming device and tube fed. In the first picture she was a healthy, happy, energetic little girl. What happened in her first foster home leading to the second picture we'll probably never know. Fox Foster Kittens wrote, "Little tortie girl, please try to hang on...I promise life gets better. There’s toys, treats, and something called a forever home. They will treat you like the princess you are."
In spite of their best efforts, a few days later she was gone. "I wrapped her up in the softest little blanket and gave her lots of love and told her it was okay to let go, her fur mommy would be waiting for her on the other side of the rainbow bridge. She wouldn’t be sick anymore. No more yucky eyes, tube feeding, or feeling like this. She wouldn’t be sick anymore. She would be back to this, the little girl in the picture I never got to meet but so desperately wanted to."
Her tiny tortie baby was found weighing less than half her intake weight, with pneumonia, a ruptured eye, congested, needing to stay on a warming device and tube fed. In the first picture she was a healthy, happy, energetic little girl. What happened in her first foster home leading to the second picture we'll probably never know. Fox Foster Kittens wrote, "Little tortie girl, please try to hang on...I promise life gets better. There’s toys, treats, and something called a forever home. They will treat you like the princess you are."
Our hearts break every time we look at that precious face, so full of tortitude, gone far too soon. Her little life mattered.
Her two sisters named Laverne & Shirley are doing well, but Laverne will likely lose both eyes. If anyone would like to make a donation towards their care in memory of their sister, either monetary or via their Amazon wish list, it can be done here.
Please remember: Animal shelters are full of kitties who are in need of a second chance. They are homeless due to no fault of their own. If you have room in your heart and your home for a new best friend, one is as close as your nearest shelter. If you're not in a position to adopt right now, share some of their stories on social media. They are counting on us...let's not let them down.
Her two sisters named Laverne & Shirley are doing well, but Laverne will likely lose both eyes. If anyone would like to make a donation towards their care in memory of their sister, either monetary or via their Amazon wish list, it can be done here.
Please remember: Animal shelters are full of kitties who are in need of a second chance. They are homeless due to no fault of their own. If you have room in your heart and your home for a new best friend, one is as close as your nearest shelter. If you're not in a position to adopt right now, share some of their stories on social media. They are counting on us...let's not let them down.
19 comments:
Such a sad, tragic story about that little tortie kitten and her mother. I hate that this happens.
Fly high, sweet ones. May your stories inspire others to help rescue other precious friends from shelters.
Such sweeties and we are very sad for that wee one. Being alone is such a tough life.
Our hearts break when we see sick kittens, and mother cats who die; if they were spayed and neutered...but, let's not digress. We will be a light tomorrow, and every day, for rescued pets.
We had a kitten come to Dad for foster who did not make it 2 days. His name was Teeny Tiny and we remember him every year. We join you in support of TNR, spay/neuter programs and adoption instead of buying a pet. Lets save all pets from this terrible end. We sent what we could to support Fox Foster Kittens
So sad about the tortie kitty :(
This tribute is so beautiful, yet also so heartbreaking. I really admire Fox Foster Kittens and the wonderful work the foster mom does. I followed this tiny tortie princess's story, and the whole situation of her time before Fox Foster Kittens stepped in makes me feel so sad and sick. I'm grateful this princess at least knew love in the end. We purr and pray every day that every homeless animal will know the true love of a forever home.
We are so sad to read this ! (We wonder if Mom had FIP.) Blessings on all who work to help the babies and the Moms and Toms like this, and to you for sharing this with all your readers.
Aw...so sad about the Tiny Tortie Princess.
that is so sad.
That's so sad. We're sorry that Tiny Tortie Princess did not make it
So sad... Purrs
What a sad, sad, story. This is why it's important to shine a light on adoption. Thanks for joining our hop and shining a light on pet adoption.
So very sad, purrs and prayers for all homeless ones - adoption, spay, neuter is the answer to this problem, light a candle, spread the word.
Oh this broke my heart. Totally broke my heart.
A sad story but I'm going to hang my hopes on all the happy tails on this day. As a rescue kitty, Remember Me Thursday is the most important day of the year.
What a heartbreaking story. If people would spray and neuter, many tragic stories like this could be prevented.
Oh my cat! Tears here for Tiny Tortie Princess, this happens so often but it doesn't lessen the sadness one feels for a little precious soul when they have to depart this world too early.
Mudpie looks cute in her photo xx
That is so sad. XO
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