Went back for Paul on Monday - too late, someone else has adopted him. Good for him, slight bummer for me. However, seeing that the Toronto Humane Society is having a fall blitz, all fees waved adoptothon this weekend, I thought I'd give that a go. Picked out a couple from the website that looked cute/lonely/hard luck stories (who leaves an pet in a sealed box in front of a building?) and wrote down the ID numbers. Narrowed that down to two, decided one was the perfect cat and phoned to make sure he was still available because in now way do I want to traipse down there and be overwhelmed or disappointed. While on hold, I listened to their adoption process.
I understand that adoption procedures must be vigilant in any reputable organization. I accept that a series of trick questions may be asked, perhaps references asked for. But photo ID? I don't have any. Not a drivers license, not a passport, not a newer health card that you have to replace every year. I know one day I'll have to get one or more of these things, but haven't bothered and won't likely get to it before this weekend. I ask the woman for clarification.
"Well, just bring in your drivers license."
"I don't have one."
"Your health card then. Surely, you must have one of those." (slightly incredulous tone)
"It's one of the old ones, no photo."
"Well, you have something with your picture one it, ma'am."
"Yes, I do. Pictures of me. That's what has pictures on it, but not ID. I have no photo ID."
"What kind of ID do you have?"
"SIN card and birth certificate, some addressed mail."
"I'll talk to my manager."
More hold time, more perky messages about adopting budgies and hamsters. After 11 min, she returns, triumphant and slightly condescending tone.
"Your birth certificate has your address on it, that will do."
"It will? It doesn't have my address on it."
"Yes it does."
"No, you see I was very young at the time of my birth and they were unable to predict my current residence."
Pause as she digests both the facts that her manager is wrong and I'm getting a little bit snotty.
"Well, talk to (names withheld to protect the strange) when you get here, he knows your situation. He'll sort it out."
Now, I don't mean to be pessimistic but I'm a wee bit fragile right now and the thought of going in, meeting Lake, going through the interview to find out at the end of the hour I'm turned away because of a technicality not even my employer cares about? Not even when my employer was the provincial government? I'll snap. I'll wind up on the late night news, shaming my family, perhaps landing in jail where sure, they'll pay for me to get whatever BA I want and I'll have cable but still, no cat. Sigh.
Ah well - the vet who introduced me to Paul has another cat: one year old female, fixed, up to date shots, microchipped, free bag of food. $75. Worth it to not have the hassle and heartbreak even if I have to wait a week for her. Plus...she's really pretty.