NEED HELP! Searching for Upstate NY colonie

Hi everyone,
I hope it is okay to post this here and ask for help and guidance.
If not, please forgive me.

When I lived on Long Island NY, my husband and I had a big house and
yard and we had 13 indoor cats, many of which were rescued ferals. We
also did TNR whenever we could. In Sept 05, we moved from Long Island
to the Adironacks. It was a slow process with my husband going back
and forth till all our belongings, including all our cats where moved
up here with us completely after we bought another house here. In the
middle of this, my husband suddenly died. The children and I and a
couple of the cats where already moved up here, but most of them
where still on Long Island. My inlaws decided for us that we had too
much to deal with already so let some of my precious furbabies get
away on purpose. In total, I was able to keep six out of my 13 cats.
(4 ferals and 2 regulars)

The children and I have had to move to a much smaller place. There
are really way too many cats for the space, BUT despite that and many
obstacles, I have been managing and up till now refused to loose
anymore of my furbabies. Well unfortunatly there is some new problems
and I dont think I can refuse anymore. First, my health is not so
good and is just getting worse so its been hard to keep up with the
cleaning and care and of all these kitties everyday. Second, my 17 yr
old daughter is now 7 months pregnant. Very soon, there will be a
baby in this small apartment with all these cats. My daughter doesnt
have her own room and will be having to share the livingroom with the
baby. With all the hair and with how hard it is to keep up, and with
my finances being an issue, Im afraid it would be best to try and
place some of my dear furbabies.

Now on to what I need help with ...lol.
I spoke with a cat sanctuary on Long Island and their best suggestion
was that I try and find a WELL CARED FOR cat colonie in my area that
gets proper food, shelter and care, and get them acculmated now while
the weather is good. They will have to learn how to live outdoors
again as they have been indoors for over 2 years now. So, I am
searching for a really good colonie where someone can take in 2-4 of
my cats. I am willing to travel quite a distance if the place is
good, so that is not an issue.

This is so hard for me, I have lost so much in such a short time
already. But I have to be realistic too. Its just too much with a
baby on its way and me not doing well. If anybody has anyway they can
help me, please let me know asap.
Thank you

I spoke with a cat sanctuary on Long Island and their best suggestion
was that I try and find a WELL CARED FOR cat colonie in my area that
gets proper food, shelter and care, and get them acculmated now while
the weather is good. They will have to learn how to live outdoors
again as they have been indoors for over 2 years now. So, I am
searching for a really good colonie where someone can take in 2-4 of
my cats. I am willing to travel quite a distance if the place is
good, so that is not an issue.

Click to expand...

I am truly sorry about your situation...however I do not recommend trying to take cats that have been living indoors and forcing them to try to learn how to exist again outdoors. That also takes up 6 spots from other cats that ARE currently living outdoors and need to be relocated. I don't know what sanctuary you talked to but that advice is absolutely the wrong way to go.

The best thing to do is really to try to find neighbors, friends, relatives who would be willing to take some of these cats.

Katie

Thank you for your insight Katie.
Yeah you are probably right. I was even surprised she suggested it and reminded her again that they have been living indoors for over 2 years. She said they would learn from the colonie how to live outdoors again and nows the best time to do it so they have a chance to get use to it before the weather gets cold again.

Im just going through real desperate times but I was uncomfortable with the idea of them being put outdoors again too. They just arent adoptable so a shelter is OUT of the question. (BTW, it would not be all six of my cats, just a few to help and only the ferals.) Nobody I know wants them and I wouldnt give them to just anybody.

So okay I need new advice ...lol. I desperately need to shave the long haired kitties, especially my one poor baby that is so matted under her belly. I can barely keep them calm enough to brush them and cut out matts with a sissor - never mind ever use a shaver on them. Oh you guys know how they are! ...I cant even pick them up. They need to be knocked out. I called my vet ...they dont do it. I called other vets, they only do their own clients. I called groomers, they cant knock them out.

What do I do? How can I get them shaved down? That would help so much ...not only them but me as well ...I cant vacuum twice a day, my body wont handle it! Plus I just cant stand how poor Lola is so matted under her belly and around her backside. It must be so uncomfortable for her. I rub it and make sure its not up against her skin as much as possible. Shes so afraid though, I cant even clear my throat without her running off.

Anyway, shaving them is one thing I know would help my situation alittle bit. I just hate the idea of the baby breathing in all that hair.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.