Description Spot was a young, unaltered tom that was likely a second or third generation feral. He was completely terrified of people but could not survive without the food that they offered. If left completely to his own devices he likely would have died of starvation, disease, being hit by a car or some other very unpleasant event. If he had been trapped, neutered and returned he would have had to suffer the terror of capture, the fear associated with being in an unfamiliar, human-dominated environment, the trauma and disorientation of being anesthetized, the confusion of waking up with post-surgery pain, and the shock of being released back out into the world before his surgery site had even healed. Once again abandoned in a world with no protection he would have then suffered the same fate (death by disease, starvation, being hit by a car, or other) that he would have before all of this was done to him. His ability to reproduce would have been eliminated, but his ability to suffer the pain and anguish of his shadowy existence would have still been intact. This was not to be his fate. Spot was captured, taken to a shelter and humanely euthanized. Both his reproductive potential and his potential for suffering were eliminated by a compassionate act.Saint Spot reminds those that are working to end the tragedy of feral cats that humane euthanasia really is a compassionate course of action for these suffering souls. While we may be able to rationalize releasing cats by saying things like, anything is better than death, this is not necessarily true. All cats will eventually die. Feral cats will most likely die a prolonged or gruesome death that we would never wish on any animal. If they have been trapped, altered and returned, they will likely not go into a trap again. This means that if they are seen to be suffering at some point in the future, you will not have the opportunity to make sure that the suffering does not go on any longer than it has to. But more likely than no
Cult Of Otis, Seattle, WA Member Since February 2011 Artist Statement Otis came from the humblest of beginnings. He is the son of two ferals- abandoned domestic cats struggling to survive in a world to which they are not adapted. His early life was bleak and lonely. His days were filled with fear, hunger and infinite danger. It appeared that He would be doomed to the same shadowy existence as His parents, and that His life would be short and contain great suffering. But this was not to be His fate.
Within Otis there existed an enormous strength of spirit. This strength was recognized by the two that would become the Guardians of Otis. With the help of Brother Oliver and Brother Henry, they coaxed forth the True Spirit of Otis. As the True Spirit of Otis emerged, he began to perform miracles. After a short time in Limbo, Otis was swept up in The Capture and now dwells in The Promised Land. His full potential now realized, he acts as the spiritual leader of the Cult of Otis, and He spreads The Good Word to all who will listen.
Read more about Otis and his movement at www.cultofotis.com.