Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Hello, Henry!


This is how we feed them here at the Zee house. Please welcome young Henry (aka Hank, aka Handkerchief), shown here eating on the lower deck. He is an older kitten rescue from the local shelter. 

From the ASPCA Pet Statistics page: Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats). The number of dogs and cats euthanized in U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 2.6 million in 2011. This decline can be partially explained by an increase in the percentage of animals adopted and an increase in the number of stray animals successfully returned to their owners.

Our local shelter has worked hard to lower the rate of euthanization and to place their homeless animals into caring homes. They bring dogs available for adoption to many community events, and they have satellite operations around town where cats can be seen up close. It's much more relaxing to look at just a few cats in cages at a pet food store or, in our case, the "Kitty Condo" at our county building, than to go to the shelter. Visiting the shelter is an overwhelmingly emotional experience for me--so many animals, such great need!

Bill became acquainted with Henry because he (Bill, not Henry) attends a lot of meetings at the County Building and stopped by the Kitty Condo each time to visit a little kitten called Jupiter (now Henry). Once they were bonded, there was little I could do. Now we are a much livelier household!

Plus, we get to live another 18-22 years, the possible life expectancy for a cat. I'm absolutely sure it works that way.



6 comments:

Jean (aka Auntie Bucksnort) said...

I love the kitties' matching china. Welcome Home, Hankie Boy!!!

Shelley said...

We need a better pic of Henry!

clairz said...

Shelley, the first day he lurked under the bed, scoping out the situation. Now he owns the house but is moving so fast he appears to be a streak, running around the walls about halfway between the floor and the ceiling. We're working on better pix, but it might take some time!

Mrs Shoes said...

So, I'm not the only one who counts on how long I'll live by figuring out the lifespans of my critters. I knew it. ;-)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Welcome to Hank! And I love the kitty cafe at your home (another part of which, by the way, looks incredibly warm and inviting in your header shot).

A couple of years ago, we signed up for a tour/class which took us to all of the county facilities (where we live in Florida) ... once a week for 8 weeks.... everything from the Tax Collector to the Jail to the 9-1-1 facility ---- and everything in between. One stop was the County-managed Animal Shelter.... when we got back on the bus after that tour, most of us were in tears and I know that many were planning to go back the next day on their own to adopt.

(We can't have pets because of travel -- but if we could that's sure the way I'd get one).

Nan said...

I love the way you ended this post!!!