Page 1 of 1
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:19 pm
by Sylvia
I found myself at one of these recently, trying to sort out a sad situation with some other livestock when I noticed some Dexters in a small paddock, very muddy, no grass. I said I'd have them (not that the areas around our feeders is anything but muddy at present but we still have some green in the fields - and the new barn only a week or two away from completion) but I was refused because we run a herd where steers will be sent to slaughter and these were 'pets' that the owner was sending money to pay for their keep.
Now we have a number of animals which tolerate 'petting' very well and which we are particularly fond of and which would not be eaten under any circumstances but generally we have had to stiffen up our resolve and steers (and probably some heifers) will go.
The situation with the rescue Dexters worries me. Can any solely pet Dexter owners (if any look at this site) tell me if they would like to leave their pet animals as described above?
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:39 pm
by PeterO
Sylvia
At the risk of sounding cynical - you may find the 'rescue centre' is making a profit on the feed costs etc they are charging the owner. As an aside, when I tried to get a pet (house) cat from a cat charity they refused as a 'farm environment' was not suitable and we wouldn't be at home 'during the day'.
Peter
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:38 pm
by Saffy
As somebody who is a field officer for an animal charity I feel I must say how much good work most of these charities do and usually unpaid, it is good to remember that these people are volunteering to look after other peoples cast off animals.( I just pop and have a look occasionally and check how things are in my own good time, I am not THAT dedicated but am in awe of those that are.)
However not even all the staff would necassarily agree with all the rules and aims of an individual charity but ceratinly wouldn't comment in detail! However most do agree with the "bigger picture" that the particular charity is aiming for.
I have to agree with both of your comments I think it is sad that these cows can't be moved to the comfy pastures offered but if the owner is paying for them to be there maybe they have also stipulated that they have to stay, it is not unknown as it is a way of keeping in touch, without too much committment. People have some very wierd ideas and are often quite convinced of far stranger things that they are sure will be the best for their particular animals but I had best not allow myself to go off on that tangent or I will fill up the whole page!!!
Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:40 am
by Jo Kemp
At the risk of REALLY offending someone here goes
I have become very disillusioned regarding many of these animal rescue charities - people seem to lose their sense when dealing with animals and forget that we should make sure the animals in our care (their care) have specific needs which should be addressed but death happens to us all and most animals have a fairly short life span. To give a cat a farm as a home would seem to me a cat heaven but .... remember puss may get into the habit of KILLING - may even be encouraged to kill rats, mice etc. and life could be dangerous and their idea is to protect any animal etc. etc.
Like children, animals lives will contain danger that's life. Most animals would prefer an active short life than one which is long and full of operations, visits to the vet and loss of dignity - these 'charities' keep animals alive when the best thing would be to put the animal down. Such cruelty in the name of kindness absolutely makes me sick.
The RSPCA does wonderful work for domestic animals which have endured appalling cruelty but I now give nothing to them as they have, in my view, been completely taken over by fanatics (not the inspectors usually, mainly the board etc)
i was told by one female that she "would be pleased when the last whale was dead so no one could harpoon it!"
Needless to say I told her we had no platform on which to unite so there was no point discussing further.
The dexter owner should be told of the possible home for them and given the opportunity to have them moved to a better place where they could be in the care of someone who knows their needs. The donkey sanctuary does lend donkeys and the dexters should be given the chance of a new home in similar way.
Quite a few animal charities believe that horses should not be ridden over jumps etc. as they can be damaged .... an idle young horse is a bored and unhappy horse but that doesn't seem to matter.
Happy New Year everyone and I hope no one suffers damage or worse in the high winds forcast tonight....I think they've arrived in SW Scotland
Jo
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:23 pm
by Kathy Millar
Jo, I agree one hundred percent with you. Yes, the SPCA and rescue centres are wonderful up to a point. I quit our local SPCA (I was the treasurer) as I became disgusted with the no-kill policy of the board. Basically, they were spending money that was really needed to ensure long term survival of the shelter never mind keeping 50 cats alive and paying for expensive operations of stray dogs that got hit on the road. Our level of "death" tolerance is so very personal; I cry when I lose a ewe or favourite ram but I am happy to send the "meat" animals to the butcher's. One thing I can't accept is suffering and we don't hesitate around here to put something down. So I do understand where some of these folks' feelings but I guess I draw the line in a different place then they do. Speaking of which; my neice's husband wouldn't but lamb from me because being young "they didn't have much of a life"! Do you know of any lambs that aspire to old age??
Kathy, on snowy, now slushy Vancouver Island
??? ???
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:24 pm
by Kathy Millar
Yuk, don't like that green colour. Sorry, I was experimenting....
Kathy :p