Title
Table of Contents
What makes a Retired
Friend a Special Friend?
Special Friends is a program for
listing cats who meet all the normal qualifications for
Retired Friends, but who have physical or medical needs
that require lifetime medication, special consideration,
or unusual accommodation. These are cats who would make
wonderful pets and are basically healthy animals, but due
to an injury or chronic problem, would not necessarily qualify
for the regular Retired Friends program.
Please read the Retired
Friends FAQ for information about the normal Retired
Friends program.
This is not a program for listing
cats with degenerative and/or contagious medical conditions,
such as cancer, FIP, or feline leukemia.
Some examples of cats who would be good
candidates for Special Friends:
- totally or partially blind or deaf cats
- a cat with diabetes, heart murmur, or other manageable
chronic condition
- cats with mobility problems who otherwise lead normal
lives
- cats who must be on special diets due to past problems
- cats with asthma or allergies requiring medication
or special diet
- cats with chronic gingivitis requiring tooth brushing
and/or routine dental care
Special Friends is not the place for
listing cats who have what the owner considers "special
needs" but what this service considers "normal accommodation".
In other words, your cat's need to be an "only child" or
the fact that your cat cannot stand dogs is not considered
a "special need". List that with your regular Retired Friends
listing.
What
is Special Friends not intended to be?
Special Friends is not, nor should it
be considered, a "dumping ground" for undesirable cats with
behavior problems. These cats should have the potential
to be excellent, happy pets, but who would do better with
the individual attention available in a good pet home. This
is not a program for listing cats with degenerative and/or
contagious medical conditions, such as cancer, FIP, or feline
leukemia.
Do
you accept every Special Friend listing request?
No. Each Special Friend is subject to
review, and a decision is made based on the individual cat's
profile. You need to be as clear and complete as possible
when submitting Special Friend profiles.
What extra information do you require for a Special Friend
listing?
Special Friends requires the following
complete information:
- if the cat requires regular medication, and if so,
what medication, how often, and expected costs
- if the cat requires a special diet, and if so, what
the cat's need is
- a complete explanation of the nature of the cat's
special need
FULL up front disclosure is required for
Special Friends. (And yes, we have successfully placed many
Special Friends over the years; there are many people who
get special joy out of caring for a cat who truly needs
extra special treatment).
OK. I
want to list a Special Friend. What do I do?
Please return the Retired
Friends FAQ for information about how to submit a Special
Friend.
|
