Annie, the Hospital Cat
 Kevin and Annie |
A Desperate Act
It was a busy day at the Discovery Bay Veterinary Clinic, with several patients and their owners in the waiting room. Phones were ringing and the veterinary assistants were busy talking to worried cat and dog owners at the counter. One of them noticed the blond woman bringing the cat carrier in and leaving it on the floor, but with the hectic process of admitting and discharging animals, it was a few minutes before anyone noticed the woman had left, and the carrier was still on the floor in front of the counter. Upon investigation, a note was found attached to the carrier. "I am good with children and dogs." Inside the carrier was a calico cat.
No one knows the desperate circumstances that would cause someone to abandon a cat in such an abrupt manner: possibly divorce, sudden allergies, a move to a "no-cat" condominium? In any case, before the animal control officer who had been called could arrive, the little calico had wormed her way into the hearts of the staff, and "Orphan Annie" had a new home and a family of several caring men and women, all employees of the clinic.
 Annie helping out at the desk. |
Hostess with the Mostest
Annie not only acquired a new home but a new job at the same time. She is the GreetCat, SpokesCat, and Hostess with the Mostest for the Discovery Bay Animal Clinic. It is not unusual to see Annie sleeping on a chair in the lobby, or looking out the window, waiting to greet the next arriving patient. She seems to welcome the attention of total strangers and continues in her duties, undisturbed by the comings and goings in this busy clinic. She poses for photographs with her usual aplomb, but does not settle for being just another pretty face.
Annie has the sweet personality and unusual sensitiveness common to calico cats. One day a woman was standing at the counter, obviously distressed over the condition of her elderly cat, to the point that she was softly crying. Annie, who had been sleeping on a chair in the waiting area, went on alert, jumped up to the counter and padded over to the woman, purring and rubbing her face on the woman's cheek. Her touching concern had exactly the desired effect, and the object of her attention smiled and wiped her tears as she hugged the little calico cat.
 Annie patiently waiting for the next patient. |
Frightening Stastistics
It is estimated that over four million cats are euthanized in U.S. Shelters every year. Although many of these are captured ferals, a large number are surrendered by their owners. The following reasons are given in descending order, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy¹:- Moving
- Landlord not allowing pet
- Too many animals in household
- Cost of pet maintenance
- Owner having personal problems
- Inadequate facilities
- No homes available for litter mates
- Allergies in family
- House soiling
- Incompatibility with other pets
 Annie resting between patients |
Annie was one of the lucky ones. Her owner cared enough about her to guess that she might have a better chance of finding a good home through the veterinary clinic than through the local shelter. As Annie is around six years old, that was a safe assumption, as older cats are generally overlooked in favor of the kittens, by potential adopters, and are the first to to to the euthenasia rooms.
Still, if not for Orphan Annie's winning ways, she would have met the same fate. It's a heartbreaking thought. Way to go, Annie! You are not only a charming hostess, but a lovely "poster child" for the abandoned cats of the world.
 Discovery Bay Veterinary Clinic 1555 Riverlake Rd. Suite D Discovery Bay, CA 94514 | Want to Help Other Annies?
Working cats come in all sizes, shapes, ages, and occupations. If you employ a cat in your shop or business, or know of one near you, please e-mail me at cats.guide@about.com. Better yet, submit your own Working Cats article. |
¹From HealthyPet.com
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