@caro.eth

This is going to sound ridiculous at first, but there is institutional pet discrimination in the U.S. I found a cat outdoors that seemed to be lost. He was affectionate, approachable, appeared to be neutered based on his ear, and even allowed a neighbor to pick him up. I called the animal rescue center, but because it was closed, I then called the non-emergency police number to report it and ask what to do. They came to the location and I spoke with an officer who is a dog lover. She told me she understands, but that there’s nothing they can do and that most shelters are already full. She said my best bet is to find him a home. So I went ahead and created a post in a Facebook group. If anyone in Miami wants to foster the sweetest boy, reach out. She kept talking about how much she loves her dog and how her chief is also a dog person. I just know that if that had been a dog out there, friendly, joyful, and clearly looking like an indoor pet, there is no way she would have left it there. Yes, cats are more independent and agile than dogs, but they are still at risk when outside on their own, especially when it clearly seems like a lost indoor cat and not a feral one. From a utility standpoint it gets even worse. I can understand why many police officers love dogs. Sometimes they work together and it is part of the culture. Dogs also perform protective tasks that are useful to humans directly. Cats, on the other hand, are often treated as pest control. Cities even place them in specific locations and simply leave them there. Gross. There is no circular system where someone can call to report these issues and have an organized process for lost and found or adoption. There are, however, nonprofits and private institutions, but they are disorganized run on donations and mainly closed after hours. Honestly, it would be one of the best social media campaigns any city in this country could run, and people would love them for it. I also encountered other neighbors during this process. A couple was observing Shabbat and couldn’t make the call, so I was the one who contacted the authorities. One of the highlights of the conversation while all of this was happening was when I mentioned that, to me, animals and the natural world are spiritual. They asked me, “Do you believe in reincarnation?” I responded that it’s a possibility. Then they said that sometimes people can reincarnate as “lower” beings such as animals and that there might be some connection there. To which I responded, “Sir, we are animals too. We are mammals. We have just lost connection to our essence.” What a night.

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