She woke to loneliness and raging hunger. Again.
She had no way of knowing how many days
it would still be before her belly would be
full. She missed her family terribly and desperately
needed to find some food.
Neighbors in the Puget Sound area of Lake
Stevens (where her new name would originate)
couldn't take care of her, as well as their own
beloved animals. "Stray" cats are common - but
Stevie was no stray.
According to the caller to Pasado's Safe Haven,
this little girl's dad decided leave, taking everything including the living room couch.
But the one thing with a beating heart - who
could feel - was left behind like garbage.
But that didn't stop her from looking for her
Master. Like all children, of any
species, no matter how they are treated, they
love them.
Her wandering led her to a neighborhood yard
where there was a dish full of food just there
for the taking. As she bent down to partake of this bounty, Stevie
found herself scooped up in the arms of Anna,
who saved her life.
And we're so glad that she did.
Pasado's Safe Haven wrote and passed the
first animal abandonment law in Washington
State. Prior to our efforts, "abandonment"
had never been defined. The original statute
had been written to only protect kennels and
veterinary clinics: if someone left their
dog or cat at a business, and didn't pick
them up, there were penalties to pay. The
business would be protected.
But what about the animal left behind? There
was nothing.
 |
Left
to right, Rita Morgan (Pasado's
legislative coordinator). Governor
Christine Gregoire, and Susan Michaels
(Founder, Pasado's safe Haven) define
"animal abandonment" for the first time
in Washington State history and witness
enacting a law that finally prescribed
penalties. We had hoped to mandate all
shelters micro-chip animals prior to
adoption. After all, if an animal dumped
off of a country road was micro-chipped,
there would be no guessing who had
"owned" it. Sadly, because a "cost" to
shelters would result, not all would
agree. The suffering that abandoned
animals endure could not be compared to
the few pennies for mandatory
micro-chipping. We hope to "make this
right" in upcoming legislative sessions. |
That's when Pasado's Safe Haven steps up to
accomplish the goal (and Mission) to "fill
the voids left unanswered for animals." In
all the years, no one had thought to
re-write a law (and add prescribed
penalties) to protect animals abandoned on
roads who were dumped like trash. Or left behind,
like this little girl. Now, law enforcement,
or humane organizations that provide cruelty
investigators, have a law to put to work.
And that's where Angel Ray, Pasado's
investigator comes in.
Angel responded to Anna's call, one of
roughly 30 calls she receives every week.
She drove out to meet Anna and searched for
the little girl -and found her.
Angel scooped her up and the young cat
hugged her like she knew Angel was here to
help. Angel took her to a strange
vehicle with the word “Rescue” printed on it in large letters; she got one last look at her
empty home as she was placed inside.
The trip must have been a scary one for her
but if she could only read. As Angel rolled
the PasadoRescue truck onto our blessed
land, they passed the sign every lost soul
we have found crosses - “Sweet creatures who pass this way,
Once scared and alone, Welcome to peace, For now you are home.”
Loving hands gently took her out of the truck and walked her into a building called
Misty's Kitty City. There she would be
placed into medical isolation and given a
full veterinary examination. Stevie would be
joining many friends in Kitty City, and
temporary isolation ensures that everyone stays
healthy.
There are many exciting days ahead for Stevie.
And Angel has her work cut out for her: now
the investigation into who would leave such
a life behind, begins.
In the meantime, Stevie was last seen woofing a
bowl of juicy cat food. She will never wake
to another hungry morning, ever again.
Welcome home, Stevie.
Check out
care2's blog
that features this story.
Help us continue to rescue sweet souls like
Stevie - We can only do this work because of
you.
(don't forget
to ask your employer
to match your donation)
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