On the social network “Facebook,” R. Mikelkevičiūtė decided to discuss the issues raised by G. Juodeika, criticizing the working methods of animal shelters.
She stated that a careful and strict shelter selection process is mandatory, as it is unclear who will take the pet home and how they will treat it in the future.
“Why wouldn’t I trust a cat?
Answer to Gediminas Juodeika.
Why a survey?
1. An animal is not an object, and there are no nice stories in shelters. They become nice when pets go to good homes, not, for example, to sadists. But how to know?
The staff put a lot of effort and money into your Mice (treated, fed, saved), so they want to find reliable homes. That’s what the surveys are for. Yes, they need to see how you think.
2. Surprised by 2000 euros?
Vet services are really expensive. And they deter many who want to take a pet from a shelter. So the question of whether you can afford it is from real life!
For example, I just paid 400 euros for the removal of Gilė’s tumor, including photos, biopsy, etc. For Ato’s surgery, close to 800 euros. But without it – it’s over.
I won’t tell you how much Bruknė’s oncology cost.
The shelter has its own “charity accounts,” often agreements with vet clinics, and sometimes it’s safer for the pet in that regard. It’s good that funds have appeared, some shelters contribute to vet expenses.
3. Cancer. Better to euthanize and not torture!
Here I will talk about the attitude towards LIFE, which makes us human.
My pets are family members, and we take care of them, right?
So, when a close person is seriously ill, what thought comes? To do everything you can and cannot. And if euthanasia were legalized? Then when?
Why, when a pet gets a serious illness, is such a thought self-evident?
11-year-old Eva has degenerative myelopathy. Incurable. Gives up to a year, but the owners built her a walker. This is not about the dog, it says a lot about the person!
A good owner feels when it’s time to let go, and vets share “pragmatic” stories – for example, euthanize because it doesn’t bark.
Therefore, behind “I don’t want to torture” often hides – I DON’T WANT TO BE TORTURED. Not only money but also your strength will be needed a lot!
4. For example, in Maryland, USA, there is an interview, the whole family must come. Pay 250 dollars (to cover the animal’s food, vet services, etc. expenses at the shelter). Bring a bank statement showing finances. Volunteers call you to inquire and may even visit,” said R. Mikelkevičiūtė.
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As R. Mikelkevičiūtė told the portal Žmonės.lt, indeed, many have such questions about the work of animal shelters, so she wanted to address this topic publicly.
“I know Gediminas likes to provoke, but he is really a good person. And it’s really great to bring a cat from a container, but we are not talking about where from, but about the responsibility of the person taking it. I have dragged cats home from containers many times. But the responsibility for a cat from a container is the same as from a fancy kennel.
The point is that love for an animal is not enough: a responsible owner must also have the financial means to care for it throughout its life. And we are not talking about luxury things, we are talking about normal living conditions. Therefore, before taking an animal, you must be sure you can pay for food, vet, care, and unforeseen expenses. If it would financially ruin you, then you are not ready for a pet yet.
First, assess your money, then choose an animal – not the other way around. I’ve heard so many stories from vets – euthanize because you see a hunting dog is not what you expected,” said R. Mikelkečiūtė to Žmonės.lt.
Žmonės.lt reminds that TV and film producer, show host Gediminas Juodeika faced an unexpected problem. Wanting to get a pet, the well-known man decided to visit an animal shelter, but although he initially thought he would return home with a cat, he was unable to do so. He told the portal Žmonės.lt what happened and criticized the working methods of shelters.
“I started calling shelters and encountered some crazy people because it turns out it’s not as simple as movies or everywhere say, that you go and take the animal. They don’t give it that easily. They started asking me strange questions. Such as, for example, if the cat gets cancer, will I euthanize it or treat it? Another question, can I leave work to devote all my attention to the cat’s treatment? Could I spend 2000 euros if surgery was needed? Well, it seemed a bit strange to me because in my whole life, with all the animals I had, cancer never came up, and I never heard such requirements… Basically, a cat is still a wild animal, and if it has problems, I see a more humane way to solve this problem. When I told them about it, they said I do not meet the psychological profile,” said G. Juodeika.
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