Featured Cat: Gilroy!
January 14, 2009Update Saturday, January 17th:
I received this email yesterday from Daniel at the SFSPCA. I hope he doesn't mind me cutting and pasting his message here, but I think his words say it best.
Hi Sarah,
I wanted to let you know that our best boy Gilroy has not been doing well. His health has been declining and the vet's decision is to humanely euthanize him tomorrow. We are all very sorry to see him pass but ultimately we know that he is not going to get better. It's the right thing to do to let him go. Gilroy touched a lot of people both at the SPCA and outside and he will forever be my Media Martyr. I wanted to be the first to let you know that this decision was made and also to thank you for taking time and emotion to post him on your blog. These shelter realities are hard to digest but the best way to look at this is with positivity. Gilroy received more love than we ever expected and his quality of life was the best any cat with his condition could hope for. We've been feeding him Organic raw baked chicken all day just to see him perk up.
Please know that you were a part of many people who were inspired by him and your attention paid to special needs cats is a vital part in the big picture. Gilroy and the SFSPCA thank you.
I'm pretty crushed, but Daniel's right, Gilroy had an awesome life for the short time we knew him and I take comfort in that.
-----------------------------------------
For the past six months or so, I've been volunteering with the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFSPCA) in the cat adoption center. I decided to volunteer there because when I adopted Sam and Lucy as kittens in 2007, the volunteer who helped me was awesome and saintly and made me so happy that I wanted to do what she did: make other people happy by helping them adopt new pets.
Since I've been working there, I've gotten a much keener sense of what goes into running an adoption center. Kittens (and puppies, obvs) are easy to place in loving homes because everybody wants them (I know I did!). The real challenges are the older animals because they already have a look and a personality and often come with baggage that affects their behavior. Maybe they were abandoned, or abused, or their owner died, or they just got lost in the world somehow. I won't lie to you... it's heartbreaking at times to walk by their little rooms (which are very nice, btw) and see them sitting in there... lonely, hopeful, scared, confused.
Cats are occasionally returned after being adopted (the SPCA will accept them back at any point in the cat's lifetime) for reasons you wouldn't expect: the cat meowed too often, or peed outside their box, or shed too heavily... the list goes on. I mean, these are people who supposedly wanted to save an adult cat, and ended up not having the time, or the energy, or just didn't like the inconvenience of welcoming a needy animal into their home. I have to actively try not to be angry about this, and instead concentrate on giving the cats who are in the shelter as much love as possible while they're on the market.
Some cats have "special needs", which is a lot like the special needs of their human counterparts: a bad hind leg, or a heart murmur, necessary medication, that kind of thing... pretty much anything that goes beyond food/litter/love. Obviously a special needs cat isn't for everyone because most folks don't feel they can handle the added responsibility. But for the people who can (and I know you're out there because I've already met some of you at the SPCA), it can be of the most rewarding experiences ever.
So, what kinds of cats have special needs, you ask? Excellent question! Let's talk about my new feline boyfriend Gilroy.
;)
Gilroy was surrendered to San Francisco Animal Care and Control for unknown reasons on 5/14/08 (forever ago). He spent over a month in the infirmary with bad diarrhea and weight loss. Poor guy endured tests upon tests and lots of dietary changes as the vets tried to determine what was wrong. Eventually he was moved into the Cat Behavior office and, over the course of four months, gained back weight and stopped, er, pooping everywhere. He now eats a special kind of food, IVD Rabbit, which seems to soothe his delicate tummy. He also takes two daily pills and a weekly pill to keep his system strong and healthy.
;)
Despite his past trauma and current needs, Gilroy is truly special in every way. An unapologetic people person who hates to be pushed away, Gilroy loves laps, loves to play, and enjoys helping you type at the computer despite the fact that his spelling leaves much to be desired. He's also a cross-dresser and enjoys wearing outfits while being walked on a leash (if you know cats at all, you know this is extremely rare). He's a vocal guy whether he's happy, or cranky, or just wants treats. He really can't have much besides his bunny food, but you can't blame a guy for trying. Oh, and he meows like a duck.
;)
Gilroy's a scrappy guy with some hair loss on his ears and neck, and a broken tail. He's got nice fur overall and enjoys a good grooming session to stay untangled. Basically, he's a punk rocker and everybody at the SPCA loves his Sid Vicous impression. The deal with Gilroy is that because of his tummy troubles, he needs a larger-than-average litter box and an adopter who's patient with him if he doesn't always quite, you know, make it. He's been known to pass gas, which is hysterical (sorry Gil). As you can imagine, Gilroy's special needs are a turnoff for many people and he's been hanging out in the Cat Behavior office for a long time, waiting to find the person that will accept him for who he is.
;)
I'm telling you about Gilroy because I want to spread the word about special needs animals and what wonderful pets they can be to the person who can see past their quirks. I know most of you don't live in the San Francisco area, but if you happen to be local and know someone who might be a good parent to Gilroy, give the SPCA a call at (415) 522-3526 and ask for Daniel, or email him at catbehavior@sfspca.org. Please, serious inquiries only.
I'd like to continue posts like this periodically. Even though it's kind of a departure from what I normally write about, it makes me feel good to help. Let me know what you think!
Reader Comments (33)
Sarah Lane, you're wonderful to be doing this, and even more wonderful for singling out a special animal like Gilroy. I hope you write about the animals you come across while you help out at the shelter and I hope it leads to many being adopted. Now I have to go because the cat we adopted a year ago is bugging me. :)
I commend you for volunteering at the SPCA. I cannot, because it would break my heart (and I probably would be very angry at some of the people like you, too). Instead I give money and try to keep up to date on the latest issues facing animals.
I would enjoy updates like this from your blog, since I love animals.
PS. Gilroy looks like our India (NOT named after the Bushes' gato who looks like this, too). We got Indy from the Gulfport MS SPCA. She was matted and declawed (something I abhor) but in need of a home. We took her in and while she's a little pilly with our other two gatos and sometimes rewards us with poopies outside of the box, we love her very much.
Ack, sorry about the ramble. I hope Gilroy finds a good home. I think spotlighting pets on your site will help spread the word, since you're an internet star, lol.
I have two cats that are from the shelter. I truly feel like I have saved their lives. They are not high maintenance like some of that cats with health problems that you discussed. However, I adopted one of them at two years of age. She is very shy, because she lived on the streets and was fostered for awhile. She is still a bit apprehensive about things, but has opened up tremendously since we brought her home a year ago. I love both of my cats and would recommend cat adoptions places like the one you mentioned to everyone!
Oh and I like the eclectic nature of your site :)
Oh, that I was in a position to help out 'ol Gilroy! So very nice of you to help him and his pals out. Some day soon I hope to be able to share my home with another fuzzy buddy. You are doing good, gal.
Awww, I'm so glad you volunteer there. I could never handle that. I'd either be teary-eyed or adopting them all. Or both. I wish I could adopt more but my mom says 2 cats are enough (she must be insane). I hope Gil finds his human soul mate. :)
You are an inspiration! Any chance you will do some video from the SFSPCA and post here or elsewhere on the web? BTW, here's one for you to think about to include in any new "Sarah's Damn Good Websites" http://www.adoptapet.com/
Aww, Gilroy looks like such a nice cat!
It's amazing that you decided to take time out just to tell all of us about this special needs cat. Most people would just ignore them so they don't have to do the extra work.
Given the chance, I would adopt him in a heartbeat, but I don't live in the area and my parents don't like cats.
We adopted a 16 yo silky terrier and I cannot tell you enough how much joy and love that boy brought us. He lived to be 18 1/2 yo. We live in Ohio and drove down to Atlanta to get him. All I can say is that by adopting an older and/or special needs companion you will get so much love in return.
I have had dogs and cats most of my life, and I've learned three things from that.
The best pets I've ever had were the ones I adopted when they were older.
Mutts are the best :-)
There is no such thing as a bad dog or a bad cat, only bad pet owners.
Cats are cool.
Keep up the great work Sarah!
See my kitties.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13866949@N08/
Thanks for spreading the word and opening some hopefully teary eyes to the reality of special needs animals in shelters. For those of us exposed to it everyday, it's refreshing to see people get passionately involved with the voiceless animals that so desperately need love. The one thing that will always be recession-proof is unconditional love.
Email me if any of you would like more info on Gilroy or the SFSPCA.
Daniel of the SFSPCA CAT BEHAVIOR PROGRAM
Sarah, thank you
i love cats and all animals
as i read your entry i started to cry, this world need more people like you
these little guys need people like you thank you for all that you do for them and please keep up the great work, my heart goes out to you and your furry feline friends
Mrs. Lane,
Enjoyed the post, I would love it if you keep us posted on Gilroys status as time goes by. Enjoy many of your post and look forward to much more of these types of post aswell. I would love to help out but im not a local of the bay area. Nonetheless, keep up the work.
-Jordan Williams
Sounds like he got better medical attention than some humans beings.
I was very touched by your post. You are doing a great deed.
Cindy
Awww. Great work, Sarah. This makes me want to go home and give my cat a big hug and a treat.
It both warms and breaks my heart to read stuff like this. I adopted my baby Miho as an adult cat from the Humane Society in Toronto. She had been in there for almost a year. Because she wasn't a kitten and because she hissed and basically tried to kill you when you came near her cage, everyone passed her by. But I knew she was scared and probably just tired of being overlooked time and time again. When I had decided on her and started the paperwork I was told of her history of abuse and how her kittens were drowned in front of her.
Right now she is sitting on my lap. She hardly ever leaves my side. It took her a while and she still occasionally forgets and scratches the shit out of my hands but overall, she's a great cat.
Please continue to post info about the cats at the SFSPCA. If you help get Gilroy adopted, that would be amazing. I would adopt him right now if I were in SF.
I love that you're taking your time to devote to these loving animals who just want a forever home.
My male cat Kitty also has a tender tummy and QUITE powerful poos, and my girl cat Tripisie has 3 legs. I wish Gil the best of luck in finding a person who doesn't mind (maybe someone who has no sense of smell?) :)
What a great post, Sarah! I would love to hear more about your volunteering experiences with the SPCA. I'm hoping to volunteer myself there as soon as they start the orientation programs again.
It's so nice that you are highlighting a special needs cat, too. My (late) Willow had hyperthyroidism and then IBD (some symptoms similar to Gilroy's I think). There were some rough times in our old place, which had carpet everywhere, but we managed and learned how to get our carpets clean and got that giant litterbox I told you about.
After Willow died, I went to 'visit' the kitties at the SPCA. Something about knowing how many loving kitties need good homes made me feel better (more hopeful?) about my own loss...like there's room for us to make a bigger difference as opposed to just donating money. Although we are waiting to adopt another cat until we and our 2 other cats are settled in our new place, I am sure that someday in the near future, we'll add another cat from the SPCA to our household.
What a nice treat to read that someone, like yourself, is doing awesome things. Some blog posters spend to much time ranting about politics and less about how to make this world a better place. Also, you have shown there is more to life than tech. Wait, did I just type that? Some days I want to pull the plug on my computers and go do something more meaningful. Hope all works out for you in the tech world, but you must feel good about doing your volunteer work. Great balance!
I truly glad to see others have so much love for animals as I have. I too have had several special needs kittens and cats I've taken care of through the years. Each and every one of them was truly special to me and always will be.
I wouldn't mind telling the story of Marcel & Grace, but I'll have to ask Sarah first :)
Thanks Sarah for your dedication to our little friends !
Who doesn't have special needs? Is the kitty narcissistic, or a hypocrite?
Do you have any of those white and black cats that taste like chicken? - Relax, kidding.
Be a vet kid. You have the time, you will be able to get a Corp to sponsor you. I think it will make you happy.
Remember to wear a glove with the livestock.
I am so sorry to hear of Gilroy. He indeed did and will always touch our lives deeply and forever.
Sarah, I'm sure he will not ever forget you and the warm kinda things you have done for him while here with us. Thank you Sarah for your kindness and compassion for not only Gilroy, but all creatures large and small !
Awe, that breaks my heart. Now he will be at peace. It is hard to deal with putting animals to sleep. I was with my childhood dog when it came time to say goodbye. It is hard to see them go, but ever harder to watch them suffer.
RIP Gilroy.
I'm so sorry to hear about Gilroy. It's so hard to let them go even when it is the right thing to do. Thank you again for sharing. I'm sure that you made a huge difference in the quality of his life during the time you've been at the SPCA and you also touched a lot of people, including me, by sharing his story.
I'm sorry to hear about Gilroy. I'm sure he's much happier now.
nice word sarah and nice cat too.
interesting site it really learns me a lot.
Music Management
Are you still volunteering? Given your huge fanbase, I bet doing posts like this would be just as useful as volunteering a few hours a week.
Im am hoping for the best to your cat, i have a cat too thats why i am truly deep concerned about animals especially cat cause once, my cat save my life from car accident.
Wonderful post... Very informational and educational as usual!
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