Messages By: danikat2

Good morning, all.  What appears to be one thing (an alleged cat sanctuary) with this situation, is really something else.  What this woman has is a mental illness.  I have been involved in the cat fancy for over 20 years; this also includes spay/neuter education, clinics, adoptathons, fundraisers, etc.  This womans' behaviour, no matter how well she argues her point, no matter how she presents herself publicly - and their behaviour ranges from sweet to confused, to indignant - is a mental illness.  Hoarding of inanimate objects is one thing: the hoarding of live creatures is something that affects an entire neighborhood and the poor creatures that are stuck in this environment.  The impact of this kind of crowding and diseased environment does nothing for the animals subjected to this.  There is no justification for this on any level.  However, the hoarder must be treated such as they are: Mentally ill.  The courts must become proactive in mandating treatment for these folks and follow up visits from both the mental health department, health department and humane society in the persons area are essential.

Just wondering why there is no legislation on the books for cyber bullies.  We certainly have it in place for someone who harrasses and threatens us in person. This, to me, is the same thing. A computer is easy enough to trace.  Hold the harrassing person responsible; and if it's a child, hold the parents responsible, both legally and financially (court costs, etc).
But in the interim, I think we need to address the sad situation where children are so needy for approval of their peers that they will emotionally crumble (and possibly commit suicide) if they are 'rejected'.  They are being set up for more manipulation by others.  Self esteem does not come from the never ending praise-for-nothing that our society heaps on its children.  Just the opposite. These children have learned to look outward for their self worth.  They have nothing inside to draw upon.  And that is very thin ice; setting them up for situation where an unkind word can bring their entire world toppling down.  Without true self esteem, they will not be able to put their lives back on track after a minor to moderate bump in the road.
Granted, the teen years are full of drama, but without basic self esteem and coping skills, a rough patch can become untenable.