Make sure your backup pet caretaker is reliable

In my last Buddy Beat column, I began to reveal my top 10 list of excuses why people return animals to The Buddy Foundation. I left you hanging and indicated that reason No. 1 would be revealed today.

So here is reason No. 1: "I know I promised my relative that I would care for their feline if something were to happen to them, or if they went into assisted living, but I lied. I just don't want this feline. So, can you take it back?"

The Buddy Foundation always insists on a backup safety net when we do adoptions with people who have increased health issues.

The first question we ask is, "Do you have someone to care for your feline in the event you no longer can?" The second question, "Will they take your animal into their own home?"

I personally handled an adoption process that involved an older gentleman, who was concerned about the well being of his animal if he went into assisted living or passed away. He assured us his brother and sister-in-law would take in his beloved feline, Misty.

Both Misty's foster mom and myself talked to his relatives, just to be certain this was true. Once they assured us they were animal lovers, and of course, would take in Misty, we adopted her out.

This summer, four years after the adoption, The Buddy Foundation received a call from the brother and sister-in-law, telling us that the man had passed away. They also wanted to know, "Could take our cat back?"

Wait a minute. Aren't these the people that said they would give this feline a forever home? Why, wouldn't they want to honor their family member's personal request?

I would think that taking in his brother's beloved feline would be a kind act in memory of his brother. I was wrong, and totally shocked, when I heard that the couple thought being responsible meant giving Misty back to Buddy.

So goes Misty's tale of sadness as she is one of today's adoptable featured felines.

Featured felines:

Misty, a 4- to 5-year-old spayed, blue and white bi-color, now has some emotional issues of abandonment. She lived in the house for 10 days all alone, with food and water being provided once a day by the previously mentioned relatives. After that became too much trouble, she was taken to a veterinary hospital for boarding. Misty is now in Buddy foster care where she seems to be happy and coming out of her initial depression. She knows her name and responds perky when you call her. She enjoys being brushed, and playing with toy mice and wand toys. Misty also loves small kittens and grown felines but is untested with dogs and children. She needs a loving and patient forever home.

Indy: Indy's previous owners do not even catch a reason on my top 10. They did not discuss her well being with anyone, leaving her on a shelf in the pet store. Indy, who received her name because she was abandoned on Independence Day, has had to work though issues of abandonment and is slow to trust new people. Indy loves kittens and would do well in any multiple feline household.

Adoption day: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15, at PetsMart, 49 W. Golf Road, Arlington Heights and PetCo in the Mount Prospect Plaza.

Preview and pledge party: Come out and see how our shelter is progressing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23 at 65 W. Seegers Road. Pledge your support to help complete construction and enjoy the food and live band. Your support is critical to keeping the work ongoing and to finishing the building process.

Golf outing: Buddy's golf outing will begin with an 8 a.m. continental breakfast Sept. 19, at the Schaumburg Golf Course, 401 N. Roselle Road, followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start. A donation of $125 per golfer or $480 per foursome also includes a lunch buffet. Golfers, hole sponsors and raffle prizes are needed.