50 Kittens!

I just spoke to someone at the rescue I foster for...with the 18 kittens brought in from the hoarder situation, including the 9 I have now...we have a total of 50 kittens.

There was recently a situation where a lady called who had 2 carriers sitting out in her yard. Overnight someone put 4 Momcats and 14 kittens into the carriers. Our rescue told them we could not take them, but would bring over a cage to help set them up. When the rescue person went to the home, she found all 4 cats and 14 kittens in one small cage with no litterbox...the babies covered in urine and feces. Of course she took them all out of that home.

How is this possible with all the rescues working year after year after year to end this mad rush of kittens? Why do some people refuse to see reality and let their cats keep breeding? How sad to look at the cute little kitten faces and KNOW that not everyone will be chosen for adoption.

Anyone near me interested in fostering?!?!

Where are you? I'm in St. Louis.

Northwest of Chicago, Illinois. We are calling local rescues to see if they can take any of our kittens, but we aren't having too much luck. Everyone is overloaded!

I wish I lived closer, I would take some

I agree if I were closer, I would take in some.But, I'm in West Virginia-Kentucky area.

I admire your fortitude, thats a lot of cats to care of

Best <<<<vibes>>>>> sent your way, i wish you luck in your search.

It's unbelievable how some people don't spay neuter their pets still. Such an outdated irresponsible attitude, and I've been surprised at some people who are well educated and really should know better. I think there needs to be regulations everywhere like in Rhode Island, where you HAVE to spay/neuter. Some people just cop out of the responsibility.

Good luck caring for all these kittens and momma cats!

i would defitely help out if i could!

i hope everything sorts out soon!

I was just looking on Petfinder yesterday and was thinking to my myself that seemed to be a big boom of kittens this year the one rescue that I get FeLV cats from has 130 listings, at least 75% are kittens.... it's just horrible!

Originally Posted by pushylady

It's unbelievable how some people don't spay neuter their pets still. Such an outdated irresponsible attitude, and I've been surprised at some people who are well educated and really should know better. I think there needs to be regulations everywhere like in Rhode Island, where you HAVE to spay/neuter. Some people just cop out of the responsibility.

Good luck caring for all these kittens and momma cats!

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I just had this conversation with someone on Sunday. People just don't get it. I don't know why they think that they need to get their cats pregnant? My neices mom actually said "I want her to have a litter before I get her spayed" I said, why there are millions of kittens unwanted with no homes that get PTS every year cause they have no place to go.... I think it's just the mentality. They don't realize it at all. I had to explain to my 9 yr old, why I was getting LuckyGirl spayed, and she kept saying, "well don't you want to have a baby from her?" "don't you want her to be a mommy?" and I told her that we couldn't keep a bunch of kittens & who would take them, and if I found people to take them, then 9 kittens in a shelter will die because those 9 families could've taken the kittens in the shelter with no homes. I still don't think she understands, but at least the seed is planted!

Originally Posted by LuckyGirl

I just had this conversation with someone on Sunday. People just don't get it. I don't know why they think that they need to get their cats pregnant? My neices mom actually said "I want her to have a litter before I get her spayed" I said, why there are millions of kittens unwanted with no homes that get PTS every year cause they have no place to go.... I think it's just the mentality. They don't realize it at all. I had to explain to my 9 yr old, why I was getting LuckyGirl spayed, and she kept saying, "well don't you want to have a baby from her?" "don't you want her to be a mommy?" and I told her that we couldn't keep a bunch of kittens & who would take them, and if I found people to take them, then 9 kittens in a shelter will die because those 9 families could've taken the kittens in the shelter with no homes. I still don't think she understands, but at least the seed is planted!

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Yes, when I volunteered at a spay/neuter clinic, I was trying to explain it to my kids. My son just said, "But Mom, I thought we liked kittens!" And even my dd, who is 10, says things like...wouldn't Garfield and Festus have cute kittens together?

This has been a terrible year for overpopulation of kittens. While my rescue won't euthanize any of the kittens, the reality is that they will not all be adopted. Some will grow up in our foster homes, and then those homes won't have as much ability to foster more kittens! So what will happen to next summers litters?

Thanks everyone for the moral support. I do wish we all lived near each other...I'm sure my foster agency would be able to adopt out all our kittens real quick!

Beckiboo, the preseident of the HS I volunteer/foster for made the comment, "I hope we finally have a cold winter to slow down reproducing." We can't keep up, either! We have space for 35 cats & currently have over 60 at our facility!

At least those kittens are in foster homes, not cages. It's terrible to watch them grow up in a cage all the time. The HS here will euthanize kittens. They lean towards "unadoptable" adults, but have euthanized kitten with health problems that could have been treated, if we had the space.

I'm sorry that you are so overloaded. I applaud all of you who are teaching your kids the importance of spaying/neutering! It doesn't take much time to explain it to them & once they are old enough to be able to see the shelters full, maybe when they grow up they can teach their kids & we can slow the vicious cycle & eventually stop it.

Yes, compared to a shelter of cages with euthanasia looming, we are quite lucky. But as you said, the base problem is the same. Too many kittens and cats, with not enough homes. And lack of understanding or caring about spay and neuter.

I spoke to someone today who wants two brown tabbies. She sounds wonderful...and I have 6 brown tabbies to choose from! LOL! I will try to meet up with her this weekend so she can "preadopt" or chose which kitties she would like. (They are too young to leave their Mom's yet.) She used to be a vet tech. It feels like a miracle to me...just when I am feeling overwhelmed by brown tabbies, a perfect person comes along wanting TWO! And my current fosters are so incredibly cute...the evidence is in the photo forum! LOL!

If she choses 2, that will leave us with 48. Tomorrow is an adoption show...a perfect opportunity for another miracle!

I hope all goes well tomorrow! I applaud you for helping those kittens. I know how you feel with the current overpopulation- I constantly have foster kittens in and out of my house ....it's soo sad. I do however applaud everyone who is teaching their children about why it's important to spay/neuter! That's wonderful! - I have taught ALL of my nieces and nephews about why we keep our animals inside and have them spayed/neutered....they're all such great kids! (I have 8 nieces and nephews and 2 great nieces....goodness, and i'm only 21 lol) - I always take them to the animal shelters to help clean the cages and visit the animals, walk the dogs, etc when I have them (which is pretty often)....they all have an incredable love and respect for animals...and Taylor, my little niece...she's 11...is a complete animal lover like the rest of us lol...She's soo cute! / Good luck tomorrow! I wish I could help you, but i'm all the way in Memphis and we're covered in foster kitties/puppies here as well! Lots of prayers and vibes comming your way! You are increadble!!!! Keep up the awesome work!!!!

Hugs to all you wonderful rescuers and sending {{{prayers and vibes}}} that your kittens and cats are blessed with good homes soon!

Oh dear!! We have had a bad year for kittens - but on top of having lots of kittens, the majority have been sickly ones, and we have lost at least 2 full litters (and one of the mums as well in one case), and kittens have died after going to their homes, in some cases they have been to the vets to be vaccinated and nothing wrong, a week later, they have died. So we are worrying that people are going to stop recommending us.

Originally Posted by booktigger

Oh dear!! We have had a bad year for kittens - but on top of having lots of kittens, the majority have been sickly ones, and we have lost at least 2 full litters (and one of the mums as well in one case), and kittens have died after going to their homes, in some cases they have been to the vets to be vaccinated and nothing wrong, a week later, they have died. So we are worrying that people are going to stop recommending us.

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We had a bad year two years ago, with many kitten losses. It is simply heartbreaking, isn't it?

I don't think people always understand the danger they are introducing by allowing unvaccinated cats to reproduce. Then as rescues, we get the cats and kittens who a vulnerable to diseases and illnesses which could easily have been prevented. They pass off animals, feeling they have done a good thing by giving them to a no-kill rescue. And the foster homes and adoptive homes are heartbroken when the cats or kittens get sick or die.

There are so many kittens everywhere this summer. I'm not sure what is going on. But no matter how many cats and kittens are spayed and neutered, it only takes a few people to allow their cats to have "just one litter"....then the people who adopt those cats to "not be able to afford the spay"...and we are overwhelmed.

Ah....getting off my soapbox to go scoop litterboxes. I do love having the babies, and am thankful to be with a rescue where any unadopted kittens can live out their lives safely in our homes.

Booktigger, I hope things improve for your rescue, and your kitties!

Wow! What a wonderful update!!!! I have been keeping you and those kittens in my prayers- nice to know they're paying off . I'm soo glad some of them found lovely forever homes! That's great!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Wow, Becky - that's very heartening. Imagine all those hard to adopt cats & kittens being adopted the same day. Seems too good to be coincidence.