By Megan Gabel
You’ve rescued a cat or dog – now what? It’s a dilemma. The SPA is frequently contacted by people who have rescued an animal with the plan of dropping that cat or dog off at the SPA. Often, people contact us to solicit our help to pick up an abandoned or stray animal and bring the animal to the SPA.
The SPA is a shelter. It is not a rescue organization. We do not have the manpower or space to go out and rescue an animal, let alone automatically admit the animal in need to the SPA. What people don’t seem to realize is that the SPA has finite space and waiting lists which move very slowly, particularly for dogs. We do not have the ability or staff to do the rescuing ourselves.
There are rescue organizations and individual rescuers in San Miguel – quite a few, as a matter of fact. It appears that all of them are stretched to capacity. While they might have the manpower to rescue a cat or dog, they have no place to keep the animal until they can find it a home. Many of the rescued cats and dogs need veterinary attention and the rescuers do not have the funds to handle that expense, let alone cover the cost of feeding all these needy animals. Even if an animal is healthy, there is the cost of vaccinations and sterilization to cover. Rescuers aim to find homes for their cats and dogs, but not all of them are feasibly adoptable due to health, age, and/or temperament.
The key, of course, to handling this horrendous problem is sterilization of cats and dogs. That is really the only way to get overpopulation under control. Several SMA organizations sponsor sterilization blitzes. The SPA clinic offers packages for kittens, puppies, and adult dogs that include vaccinations and sterilization at a reduced price. Details are here: https://www.spasanmiguel.org/clinic-services
So that brings us full circle – what should you do if you rescue a cat or dog that has now become your responsibility? For sure, call the SPA (415 152 6124) to take advantage of our waiting lists. Your position on the list has to be renewed every month so we know that you still have the animal. If you don’t renew in a timely manner, we will assume that you have found a home for the animal and the animal will be removed from the list. Lolita, Dulce, and Smoky made it to the SPA because they were on our waiting list.
Protect your rescue by providing shelter for the cat or dog. Make sure your rescue is healthy by taking the cat or dog to a vet for a checkup. Once healthy, take care of vaccinating and sterilizing your rescue.
Find your rescue a home. Contact individual rescues and other organizations to see if they can help. Post on their facebook pages (we can send you a partial list if you email info@spasanmiguel.org) using multiple photos and details about the animal including where you found her. Join the Civil List (https://groups.io/g/CivilSMA1) and post there. Ask neighbors if they are interested in adoption or know of someone who might be interested. Adoptions are very slow in San Miguel, but don’t get discouraged. Post repeatedly.
In the meantime, socialize your rescue as best as you can. For dogs, work on teaching your dog some basic obedience skills. Taking these steps will make your rescue more attractive to adopters.
If having your rescue in a home creates a problem with your landlord, there are boarding facilities available. Also, see if friends can help you with easing the housing situation.
Before allowing your rescue to be adopted, carefully screen any potential adopter. Follow up with home visits. Make sure your rescue is going to a safe environment and protected from abuse.
By choosing to help save a dog or cat, you have undertaken a big responsibility. Thank you!
