RANT : pet peeve, you may not agree but...

Okay, so you have a pet you no longer want....take responsibility, the pet did not pick you,and even if it did,  you chose to keep the pet. This is not a couch or a lamp, you do not have the luxury of becoming bored with it, or deciding it is no longer wanted and then dumping your problem on someone else. Putting an animal out is not kind, it is cruel, how would you like to be put in the middle of no-where, knowing no-one, with no resources of your own. The small charge a shelter or rescue asks for on intake is to help the pets get the very basics of what they need to survive, immunization, food, shelter, and it is the least you can do for them. Placing them in danger because you do not want to spend a couple of bucks is insane, and others may pick up your tab, but, if everyone did that there would be nowhere to bring them as all he shelters would have to close. I would think life means more than dollars. Even better, do not get a pet in the first place, if you can not commit to the pet for it's lifetime and you are not willing to sacrifice a few dollars for it's care when you can not longer care for it, then you should not have gotten it at all.
Before getting a pet you may want to ask yourself a few questions such as Why do I want a pet? Am I able to care for a pet for it's lifetime? Am I willing and able to be responsible for another life? Have I put aside some funds for emergencies, whether medical or in case I need to put the pet in care, if no longer able to keep it? Do I know what it costs to keep a pet, and can I afford it? Can I house it, feed it, care for it, train it, keep it up to date on medical needs, am I prepared for an emergency? What will I do if I can no longer care for my pet or find I have made a mistake? Am I able to be a responsible Pet Parent? If you can not answer these questions then you definitely need to re think your options, maybe start with a fish and see how that goes first before jumping in with a dog or cat you think will fill that spot in your life.
Cats and Dogs are wonderful additions to our lives, they love you unconditionally and ask for so little in return, they have worked for people, played with people, saved peoples lives, provided therapy for people and so much more and ask for so little in return....Being a good pet parent is not a right it is a responsibility. Pets are not products to be used and tossed aside, The way a person treats their pets is directly linked to their view of all life, including other people. Think about it.

Still looking for a home: many cats and kittens, Duchess, Shade, Moksha, Daisy and Amber, Amber really needs a home before winter as she has a strong prey instinct so we may not be able to bring her in and are also looking at possibly transferring her to another shelter or rescue.
The ASPCA annual conference in Calgary was very interesting and informative. It was great to network with other shelters and get new ideas and information.