Due to the overwhelming and ridiculous number of people getting rid of their cats, we are only able to accept surrenders on a limited basis at this time. Although we are absolutely tired of all the sudden cases of asthma, allergies, the "doctor told me to get rid of my cat" monologues -- seemingly almost always involving an older or elderly cat with behavorial or medical problems, not to mention, the insulting excuses of moving or traveling (please!) -- this is not the reason we have placed limitations on surrenders. It's simply because we have had to make the very difficult decision to refocus our attention on curbing the still overwhelming stray cat population, as there is simply not enough good homes to go around for all the unwanted and abandoned pets of this world. You may watch Animal Planet - We live it! The typical life of a stray cat is a world full of hidden suffering of sickness, starvation, and litters of newborn kittens dying cruel deaths either because their mother has been killed or simply she doesn't have enough nourishment to produce milk. This is a heartbreaking decision for us. We've made all the sacrifices we can make, taken in our share of elderly, ill, special needs or socalled unadoptible cats. We ourselves have not been on so much as an overnight vacation in more than 7 years. We have at times when necessary commuted as much as two hours to work in order to keep our pets, and we all have kids and diseases and bills and not much money - JUST LIKE YOU - and we cope. We also always listen to common sense over the socalled experts. Why the rest of the world isn't, we can't understand. Afterall, how can a pediatrician diagnose a 5 week old infant with "severe allergies" to cats? That's not even long enough for the common cold to run its course. THINK! Look for solutions beyond writing us sad emails about how you have no other choice, but to kill your animal. Sorry, we don't consider you heroes because you're "choosing your child's welfare" over your pet.

Solutions are ALWAYS THERE -- you just need to have the willingness to carry them out. Did you know for example that newborns have a tendency to be allergic to milk-based formula, that some of the biggest respiratory irritants lie in your rug and some of the biggest airborne irritants are created by common household chemicals and odors? So, buy a soy-based formula like Nestle'sGood Start - highly recommended by moms and pediatricians, rip up the rugs and spend the $299 on an Austin Air Health Mate, Jr. - probably the best air purifier on the market.

As for moving, please - it's a renter's market. Need we say more. And traveling, well if you can't take your pet or find someone to watch them, then don't travel. And while moving isn't a snap with pets, hundreds of people do it every day - to Japan, Australia, Belgium, etc., which means you can too. Our personal favorite is the "I don't have time for cats" anymore excuses. Um, make the time. Do you really think we shelters busting at the seams somehow are going to be able to dote more on your cat that you can? Stop being inane and step up to your responsibilities.

And please ladies - wake up and come into the millenium! From the "I'm getting married and my fiance doesn't like cats and/or is allergic to cats to my husband wants me to get rid of the cat" diatribes, it's no wonder, we still have a world that considers women subservient to men! Unless you were a mail-order bride, you must have known by the third date that your future husband was allergic to cats, which means you decided back then it's him over the cats. So why on earth did you wait 2 weeks before the wedding to send a hysterical email to shelters that you must get rid of your 2, 10 year-old diabetic cats or else.

Ultimately, it's become very clear to us, we are living in a "Me" generation, a very selfish, self-centered, lazy world, which wants to dump all their inconveniences on someone else. Yeah, we're ticked! Because we hurt and we cry for every rejected, abandoned pet - as we have seen the sadness and depression in their eyes. And believe me - they know when they are going to die. They want to live as much as you and deserve so.

But we have as a community been conditioned to accept death as a solution to an unwanted pet. In fact, so conditioned, that very often get "if you don't take my cat I'm going to take it down to the pound and have it put down." We wish people would wake up to their ways, start thinking for themselves, stop making excuses, and start looking for solutions and take responsibility for your family, which includes your pets. But we realize that's just not going to happen. If we so much as make a suggestion to any of you surrenderers you cop an attitude with us and hang up. We are left with the ultimate question: why did you get a pet in the first place. They are not furniture. When you are over the hill or become sick, or just become an inconvenience, should we call a shelter? And please no more long emails about how sad you are that you've been backed into a corner facing the harsh reality that if we don't take your cat by the end of the day, you'll have "no other choice" but to give it to a kill shelter. Unless your being held hostage, going to prison, or God forbid, in hospice care, you are not backed into a corner. We and your cat are facing the harsh reality, not you, as when we get those emails, they just simply drip with someone who thinks "it's everyone else's problem."

Nonetheless, we will do what we can. To have your cat placed on our waiting list, please email us. There is a minimum surrender fee of $65. If you cannot afford the full fee, we will still consider taking your cat, but please - remember money does not grow trees here at St. Meows. Consideration for reduction or waiver of the fee will be given on a per case basis. Please do not show up to our adoption hours with your cat. In your email, include location, a description of your cat including age, color, hair type, weight, disposition, any medical and/or behavorial problems she has and the reason you are surrendering your pet.

REMEMBER LIKE ANYTHING IN LIFE, PETS ARE ONLY AS IMPORTANT AS WE MAKE THEM IN OUR LIVES

SURRENDER POLICIES AND FEES

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO SAINT MEOWS ADOPTERS. IF YOU ADOPTED A CAT FROM SAINT MEOWS AND YOU NEED TO SURRENDER IT, WE WILL TAKE THE CAT BACK IMMEDIATELY -- NO QUESTIONS ASKED. THAT IS PART OF OUR ADOPTION AGREEMENT, PERIOD.

Please be aware that the Boston MSPCA and the Animal Rescue League are not nokill shelters. If you bring a cat to either of these shelters, there's a very good chance it will be euthanized.