Letters to the editor

I went to the Las Cruces Humane Society yesterday to adopt a cat. My kids and I found a cat we liked and asked to adopt it.

[Andrew]

Kimberly,

I had the same exact situation when trying to adopt a cat at the local shelter. I had just spent the better part of an hour in the cat room, playing with many of the cats on a one to one basis so I could find the one with the best personality. I found a great orange tabby with the best disposition. Fell in love with that cat immediately.

The worker told me that a teenage girl had returned it because she could not handle it for some reason or another. This was it's second chance at adoption.

I took the name of the cat, filled out the application, ready and able to pay the $90+ adoption fee. Lady comes back and says: "your application is denied" My jaw dropped to the floor. She tells me that I cannot have an indoor/outdoor cat and that they need to be kept indoors only. I replied that I live out in the country and I need a good mouser. I was told that these are the rules, no exceptions. There was not reasoning with this lady.

After venting when I got home, my wife said she would go the next day and get the cat. She filled out the application the way they wanted it filled out while I waited in the car. I got my cat in the end. I have had my indoor/outdoor cat for over three years now. He is a great mouser and a loving pet.

I am sure this cat would have been destroyed had I not have adopted him. This was his second time, and his days were numbered. Many people in this town cannot afford close to one hundred dollars for a cat. This shelter is on my "do not deal with list" and will always be on that list. In the interim I have adopted two great animal rescue dogs from Canutillo where I have always been treated with respect. I make annual contributions to that center. Wake up Las Cruces, we have the most inept, inhumane "humane" society ever. Truly a pathetic group of people.

There are many beautiful cats in Canutillo, and the staff is phenomenal. Take a drive out and get the cat of your dreams.

[Evelyn]

My question of Ms. Belnap is if you're home is so loving, why does the cat have to go outside? A simple litter box with good quality litter will suffice, and the cat will be quite content living indoors.

Is it perhaps that you don't want to clean up after the cat? Then you probably should get your child a different pet.

This cat, in all likelihood, has already spent a miserable existence outdoors, and it has been proven that cats who roam outside do not live as long as their indoor counterparts because of the many hazards they encounter outdoors.

[Evelyn]

Andrew wrote:

Kimberly,
I had the same exact situation when trying to adopt a cat at the local shelter. I had just spent the better part of an hour in the cat room, playing with many of the cats on a one to one basis so I could find the one with the best personality. I found a great orange tabby with the best disposition. Fell in love with that cat immediately.
The worker told me that a teenage girl had returned it because she could not handle it for some reason or another. This was it's second chance at adoption.
I took the name of the cat, filled out the application, ready and able to pay the $90+ adoption fee. Lady comes back and says: "your application is denied" My jaw dropped to the floor. She tells me that I cannot have an indoor/outdoor cat and that they need to be kept indoors only. I replied that I live out in the country and I need a good mouser. I was told that these are the rules, no exceptions. There was not reasoning with this lady.
After venting when I got home, my wife said she would go the next day and get the cat. She filled out the application the way they wanted it filled out while I waited in the car. I got my cat in the end. I have had my indoor/outdoor cat for over three years now. He is a great mouser and a loving pet.
I am sure this cat would have been destroyed had I not have adopted him. This was his second time, and his days were numbered. Many people in this town cannot afford close to one hundred dollars for a cat. This shelter is on my "do not deal with list" and will always be on that list. In the interim I have adopted two great animal rescue dogs from Canutillo where I have always been treated with respect. I make annual contributions to that center. Wake up Las Cruces, we have the most inept, inhumane "humane" society ever. Truly a pathetic group of people.
There are many beautiful cats in Canutillo, and the staff is phenomenal. Take a drive out and get the cat of your dreams.

Once again our local jester open his mouth. Andrew must be at least 100 years old because there isn't anything he hasn't done.

If the the shelter personnel in Canutillo is allowing cat adoptions without assuring that these cats will not be roaming the countryside, this shelter needs to be investigated and perhaps shut down.

[Evelyn]

By the way, Andrew, it does not cost $100 to adopt a cat. You're behind the times, as usual.

[dgr1]

there is a rstraint ordinance in the city that includes cats
i applaud the shelter for not letting this irresponsible person adopt this cat
i see so many dead cats on the roadway and always get upset with the so called resposible pet owner for letting this happen.
if would do your research you would find out that cats are happy being inside and that dogs are more of a roaming territorial animal
and i bet this lady would be the first one o call when she she sees a stray dog
and if your has to be outside, build a outdoor cat kennel that the cat cat get out of
that is what i do, but my cats rather stay inside

[dgr1]

opps some typos
restraint,
the first on to,
if your cat

[Margaret]

There is a new person running the shelter. Giver her some time to fix things before you condemn it. If in six months, things haven't improved, then be mad. Give the lady a chance.

[Chad]

Yeah, we should confine the cats to inside a house! That's humane! Like keeping a slave.
So while you're lauding these pet owners for letting their ANIMALS outside to play, it would be easy to sit back and do the same to you for keeping them caged in your prison of a house.
Also, I've been a multiple pet owner my entire life. My animals play outside. I could responsibly keep my child locked in the house, too, like you do your pets, to avoid any accident.. but we don't live in a bubble.

[PinkFloyd]

Cats live longer and healthier lives indoors. They can be perfectly happy as long as you provide toys and play games with your pet. My cat has never been outdoors and does not miss it at all.

[dgr1]

Chad wrote:

Yeah, we should confine the cats to inside a house! That's humane! Like keeping a slave.
So while you're lauding these pet owners for letting their ANIMALS outside to play, it would be easy to sit back and do the same to you for keeping them caged in your prison of a house.
Also, I've been a multiple pet owner my entire life. My animals play outside. I could responsibly keep my child locked in the house, too, like you do your pets, to avoid any accident.. but we don't live in a bubble.

well maybe someday your cat will get run over and you will change your mind.
Or you will probably blame the motorist for driving on the street