Libby

In March of 2010, I met Libby. She was a plump white and gray tabby with stunning green eyes who was laid back and sweet. I assumed she was another rescue from a high kill shelter or perhaps an owner found themselves struggling and had to surrender her. I was wrong. I soon learned that Libby and her two friends wound up at a vet clinic in Newnan, GA where their owner had decided she wanted them euthanized. For what reason? She didn't want to care for them anymore. Well, when you want to euthanize a healthy and adoptable pet it isn't euthanasia---it's killing. The vet was shocked and contacted us about rescuing this gang of three. When I first heard this story, my jaw dropped. If you aren't prepared to take care of a living breathing creature for the duration of their life, then don't get one. There are millions of Libby's out there that aren't lucky enough to be rescued. They wind up in an animal control and then most of them end up being killed. Their lives snuffed out prematurely, because we as a society have failed them. I was grateful that the vet refused to kill them and contacted us to help give them another chance at finding the home that they deserved.

Libby and her friend Gabe went up to our adoption center straight from the vet. We estimated Libby to be about 2 and Gabe to be about 5. Gabe was a huge black cat that had been declawed and he was adopted quickly. The third member of the trio, Cleo, was a 13-14 year old senior! Upon rescue, Michelle (GHS President) decided that she would be what we call a "sanctuary" cat so Donna took her in. We simply didn't feel right about putting this old girl in our adoption center. It's stressful! Being abandoned by your family only to be placed in a new and strange situation with tons of other unfamiliar animals is stressful (especially for a senior pet!) We didn't want to do that to her. She went immediately to Donna's where she is living the good life. Donna says all she wants to do is eat and sleep and cuddle!

So with two of the three happy and content, this left Libby. She just happened to arrive at the start of kitten season and anyone that looked at her left with a kitten. Libby spent the summer hanging out with me at the adoption center. She ignored the kittens, would occasionally interact with the other cats, but for the most part just wanted to jump up and down on the cat tree and stretch her legs. She bonded with a few of the other female cats, but soon enough they got adopted. I've seen hundreds of cats go through our center, but Libby was the only one who would take walks with me. You can see in the picture on the left she is waiting for me to get with the program and let her out. As soon as I would open the center door, Libby would walk with me and carelessly meander up and down the aisles. She'd walk by huge barking dogs, excited kids, and dumbfounded people. I think it speaks immensely about her personality that she can just casually walk up and down the aisles of Petsmart. Being so plump, this is good exercise too!

By the end of the summer and with no applications on Libby, we decided to give her a break. She went to foster care where she spent 8 months lounging around. Donna often updated me on Libby's antics of pawing the dogs when they got too close, or jumping up on her counter to see what she was cooking. Well, we finally had room at the center so this month she returned to the Petsmart on Howell Mill Road. This time, I know Libby's family is out there looking for her. She deserves the BEST home.

The home I picture for Libby is with a loving family that will let her spend her days lounging around. Libby is pretty independent and would be fine as a solo pet or with others. She gets along fine with dogs and cats as long as they don't bother her. One of our adoption center volunteers, Mary Courtney, wrote this about Libby:

"Libby is such a sweet girl and you can tell that she's been betrayed in the past. But she is ready to open up her heart to you. You will be able to see it when you look into her beautiful green eyes, and see her looking meaningfully back at you. She's my favorite kitty in the adoption center, someone please help give Libby the life she deserves!"

I just want Libby to have her happy ending. Take one look into her beautiful green eyes and I guarantee you will be sold. For more information on adopting Libby please click here. And remember, your pets depend on you for love and care. There are too many pets being killed in our shelters for people to just abandon them.