Ever since I was in my teens I have always been involved in the rescue and re-homing of dogs. Since coming to the USA I have not worked at a rescue centre, but currently going through the process of fostering dogs.
Well, that does not seem to stop the animals! Since being here I have had 2 cats (on separate occasions), scratching at my front door (I live on a development of about 30 houses), so why my house? I took both cats in and re-homed. Then one day, I came home to find a cat lying in the middle of my driveway with the most horrific back injury I have ever seen. Three vet visit and tons of medication later, she was fine. But to old to re-home (she didn't even have teeth), so, because she hated my dogs, she slept in my garage at night under a heat lamp, and roamed the area during the day. Returning when I called her to eat and get settled in for the night. Sadly, she has since died - she was very old :-1
One of my husbands employees wanted a turtle for her son. The next day, when I was doing my usual visit to the state park office the warden announced that they desperately needed a home to 2 large red-eared sliders - 1 phone call, and a longish car journey later they had a new home.
So I should not of have been surprised at what happened to me last week. I came out of the grocery store - opened my car door - put hand-bag on seat - went to back of car - unloaded shopping. Went back to front of car, had one foot in drivers footwell, when I noticed an enormous black lab. sat on my passengers seat.
Three phone calls later (vets, dog warden, owner), and a lengthy stay in the car park - he finally made it home. :-4