Note from Elisa: This article is ‘written’ by a shelter cat with only hours left to live before being killed at the Cabarrus County Animal Shelter in Concord, North Carolina. It represents the sadness and loss felt by pets who are carelessly abandoned by their owners or who have lost their way. Thankfully, he was rescued!

Why am I here? (Facebook: Marleen Jenkins)

Christmas in heaven, not sure what it will be like. I don’t know who fed me for the past couple of years. If I could talk, I would tell you how I came to get my meals.

I would tell you who decided they didn’t want me around any longer. I would tell you if I did something that displeased them. I would tell you how I came to be born and who my mom was. I don’t know where she is now or if she is alive.

I know my time here on earth was not always the best. My eye was hurt or maybe as a kitten I was sick and it left a scar on my eye. I won’t need my eyes anymore as I won’t be able to see the cruelty and disregard any longer for what people are doing to animals.I don’t want to see any longer how people and the laws continue to fail us.

You people have all the power to make it change but you don’t and you won’t. I don’t want to see it anymore. If someone has no desire to save me today, I will forget this time I spent here.

Marleen Jenkins works is one of the many kitty angels who works tirelessly trying to find rescues with a spot open to take in the unwanted cats in the Concord area. This statement hits the nail on the head as to one reason so many cats end up at the shelters, not just in Cabarrus County but across the country

We need for people to concentrate efforts on mandatory spay neuter and relieve this bashing of our heads against a brick wall. We are beating our brains out trying to save these animals while nothing is being done to decrease this never ending intake in NC.

We will continue to be one of the highest states in shelter killing because of he lack of spay neuter laws. Cats and kittens are killed at a higher rate than dogs. I don’t want people to misunderstand, all of them deserve better than we allow them to be given, which is death at the pound.

News media is reporting a record number of adult cats and kittens being turned over to shelters. They’re literally being traded in for a ‘newer pet.’ I wonder how the head of a family explains to a child as to why a beloved pet is no longer there and has been replaced by a kitten or puppy.

Chillin’ out at Marleen’s house (Marleen Jenkins)

A happy ending.This cat has a happy ending and will be adopted out. He’s currently with Marleen at her home and will be going to Purr Partners rescue in the morning.

Many cats on a ‘euthanasia list’ (and remember, owner-surrendered cats and dogs may be killed immediately as they’re not under legal status in order to give the owner the chance to reclaim them when they’re lost) meaning they’ll be KILLED, aren’t so lucky.

While a child may be excited at getting a puppy or kitten for Christmas, it’s not a good idea to have it jump out of a box on Christmas morning. Choosing a new pet is something a family should do at a shelter or a reputable animal rescue group together. Not only does it create happy memories but the pet should choose YOU instead of the other way around.

Elisa