10/20/2026
Ok… time for a little bit of a rant.
I got a call earlier today from someone associated with a church asking if I’d want to bring some of my adoptable cats to a festival in November to help find homes for them. I said thanks, but no thanks to actually bringing cats to the event. I’d happily bring myself and a binder full of pictures & info about my adoptable cats to let people read about them and the work I do and schedule appointments to come meet the cats at their convenience, but I don’t bring cats to events. I just don’t believe in stressing out my cats with loud, new environments where they’re in small
cages for several hours being gawked at with the hope someone might want to adopt and it not be an impulse decision.
As soon as I explained my professional, educated, well-thought-out explanation and the compromise I was willing to offer, I was told that they really wanted *live animals* there as they’d already scheduled exotics and farm animals to be present as well. I reaffirmed that I value the wellbeing of my cats, so I was not going to be changing my stance when I know the environment would not be safe or ethical for them.
The offer of having me there was then rescinded with lots of scoffs and quick goodbyes. I again offered my compromise and was told no thanks, but if *I* decided to reconsider I could call her back.
I have issues with this interaction for a number of reasons:
1. In my humble opinion, you don’t offer a kindness and then make that kindness so conditional that even when the professional you’re offering the kindness to explains why said idea should be amended, you completely shut them down and act as if you know best. I have rescued 80 cats at this point and have extensive experience in feline medicine and behavior. I promise you that, on the topic of good vs bad environments to put cats in, I am very well-informed.
2. My cats are not a sideshow entertainment for anyone’s fair or festival. They are a lifelong commitment and adoption should not be a “we saw a cute kitten at the fair, let’s bring them home!” situation. That’s also why I don’t even offer same-day adoptions to begin with.
3. I want my cats to find forever homes more than anyone and I would love the exposure that a festival or market would bring to my rescue. And I do appreciate offers made to help find homes for my cats. BUT— and this is a huge but— I will never compromise their wellbeing to do that. I would love for people who reach out to me with ideas like this to understand that, while they might have the best intentions with their ideas, sometimes the practical application needs a little revision. Just like I wouldn’t tell a professional… well, of any career how to do their job, please understand that telling me how to do mine is not fruitful for either of us.
Ok, rant over. Thanks for reading this far and, if you did, I hope you understand my sentiments.
