rescued cat/animal shelters

scarletta

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Hi Everyone,

On friday my brother found a young cat on our front porch and told me about it (We provide shelter, food and so on for feral cats...or "barn" cats that live in and around our rural property). I thought this cat would be feral but when I went outside (sans jacket!) this little cat came over to me crying her heart out. I noticed that her ears looked frostbitten and from the way she was trying to keep her paws off the snow it looked as if her paws were frostbitten too. She also had a very dirty nose to go along with it. Anyway, I brought out a tin of catfood and fed her and then went in and called the local cat rescue and humane society who told me to catch her and bring her in immediately (obviously!). I got one of our cat carriers, put towels in it and covered the exterior with towels as well. Using some more food I managed to get her to go right into the carrier without a problem. We kept the carrier in our warm hall with the door closed so that our other cats and dog wouldnt harass her (my cats are very territorial) until we left for the humane society about half an hour later. She was/is only about 6 months old, very social and obviously had been someone's pet at one time.
The shelter named her "Butterscotch" because of her coloring (fawn and white) and determined that she did have frostbite and probably an upper respiratory infection to along with it. They said that she would definitely be adopted because of her young age and her wonderful friendliness. I, of course, got all teary eyed having to leave her there because I would have liked to have kept her but being that our cats are very territorial...she wouldnt have faired well in our household and it was better for her to find a less populated home. I also felt so sorry for her...god knows how long she had been out there in 20- weather...trying to stay warm and probably with nothing to eat (she was extremely hungry when I approached her). The animal shelter we took her to is excellent and I have no worries about her being there but what I want to know is...is it okay for me to inquiry about her progress? I've been thinking about her all weekend and I really want to know how shes doing. I had to sign papers when we dropped her off and they gave us a "receipt" that told us her shelter name, id and all the particulars of how she can to be at the shelter. Could I visit and see how shes doing myself? I rescued another cat (who now has a home!) over a year ago but he was taken through a friend of my mother's to another cat rescue (not the humane society) so I had direct connections to finding out how the cat was doing. I'm just not sure what common practice is for those who can't adopt the cat but still want to know how the cat is doing. Anyone have any suggestions?
 

jeanie g.

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scarletta, I have not been in that position, and I can't guarantee it, but I see no reason why you couldn't call and inquire about Butterscotch. I would imagine that the attendants are quite busy, and would not have a lot of time for caring visitors, but perhaps they will allow you to call and visit on occasion. Do you know if this shelter is no-kill? Do you know what the financial limit is for health care?

It's a shame you couldn't keep her, and I know that upsets you, but if you should discover that she is in any danger of being put to sleep, I would try to have an alternative, adoption for a period of time or a no-kill shelter. There is a list at the top of this page. It might take some time for an opening, but I'd do a bit of research-just in case.

I hope one of our members who work at shelters will give us some input on this. Thank you for being such a caring person.
 

hissy

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I wouldn't inquire about her, I would go and see her. Go during the busiest time of the shelter, so the cat room is full of visitors. Stand by her cage and give anyone who cares to listen the story behind her. You will be surprised how quickly she will get adopted out then, and you will also get to at least see the family interested in taking care of her, and bless you for saving her from a fate worse than death.
 

ldg

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What a wonderful person you are to rescue this kitty (and others!) !! If you find that you need it, there is also another directory in the making - I don't know how useful it will be to you, but it's worth checking. It is accessible through www.felinerescue.net, or you can access a "rescue" section of resources just by clicking on the link in my signature line.

I would definitely call the shelter to ask - it never hurts to try! But I agree with Jeanie - I'd make sure it is a no-kill shelter. Some areas only keep cats for 72 hours before exterminating them!

 

meezer_mama

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I don't work at a shelter either, but I rescue cats and I too always like to hear back later on how they are doing!

I wouldn't call...shelter workers are always terribly busy and probably won't have time to spend on the phone with you. I would go in person to visit her and while you are there ask the volunteers or staff about how she is doing. Depending on their policies, they may allow you to pet her and give her some love. Butterscotch will enjoy these visits too!

Just go on down there and see how she is. Thank you for being her angel!
 

ldg

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Well, Scarletta, my ignorance of shelters shines through. I'd listen to Hissy and Meezer Mama - they have more experience rescuing cats than I do!!!
 

ldg

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Sorry - just wanted to add - many Humane Societies are NOT no-kill shelters. There is a Humane Society in Amarillo that only keeps cats for three days before exterminating them. If you don't have time to visit her soon, I would consider calling as soon as possible to find out whether or not the shelter has a no-kill policy, and if not, then I'd ask how long they keep the animals before euthanizing them.
 
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scarletta

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Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. I'm planning on driving out to see her on Thursday. We live in a rural area and this is a rural shelter and interestingly, they dont have a huge amount of animals. They do have more cats then dogs (dont all shelters!) but they keep all animals until they are adopted out or they go to foster homes if they find the shelter too stressful or have health problems that wouldnt improve properly in a shelter setting. Its definitely not one of those shelters that takes the animals in and then euthanizes them within so many days. Everyone there is really nice and caring and I know she's in good hands...but nonetheless I still really want to see her. I'm planning on volunteering as a cat cuddler too so I'll get to see her plenty by doing that. Gosh, I just wish I could have her myself. There hasnt been a day thats gone by that I havent thought about her.
 

jeanie g.

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Oh, bless your heart, Scarletta. It's so sad that you can't have her. Is there just no way around it--not even if you introduced them very slowly? We have some members who have feral cats who tolerate each other. Of course, it takes time and a lot of patience. Well, anyway, I am so glad she is at a no-kill shelter. And it's wonderful that you will be volunteering to cuddle these orphans. God bless you for being so kind. Keep us updated, please.
 

ldg

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You truely ARE an angel!!! I'm so glad the shelter isn't full, and that it's a no-kill shelter.

I, too, am sorry you can't keep her. But you're so sweet for caring so much!

...and just food for thought... we managed to socialize and bring inside as now wonderful pets three feral cats - and we live in an RV with 210 sq. ft. of space... And they weren't introduced to our home all at the same time. Like Jeanie said, it takes time and patience - but it can be done if that's what you decide to do!

 

catmagnet

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Some of you may be horrified to hear this but my dog used to actually hunt and eat cats that would sneak into our yard. I rescued two cats that were injured by her from a tree where they were frozen stiff. My husband got on a ladder and pulled the cats out of the tree. The cats fortunately were ok. They were kept in my bathroom while resting and healing for a couple days. I let them back out and they I'm guessing returned to their homes. My sister was throwing out a cat that she had found while it was pregnant. My heart couldn't take it so I took the pregnant cat. I was very concerned about my dog. I crated the cat and locked the dog in the bedroom. Alternating their freedoms. After three days of this my husband let the cat out of the crate while the dog was out watching close. The dog really growled and started to chase the cat. My husband scolded the dog and she went to her corner to sulk. After that there seemed to be no problem. Two weeks later when the kittens were born the dog became a " second" mother to them. It was amazing the transformation. She would lick the kittens and the mother cat didn't mind at all. Here's the really strange part. About six months later the dog found a cat in our backyard and tried to attack it. Luckily it got away. I have brought in two other cats that were found on my doorstep into our home and the dog now thinks she's one of them. She acts just like a cat pouncing, stalking, if you say cat or kitty she comes running. She jumps on things like a cat unfortunately she doesn't have the grace of a cat when jumping. Any way, my point is Anything is possible. I would have never thought she would get a long with any cat let alone turn into one. LOL She still however will try to get cats in the backyard. I can't understand that one but am happy to know they are safe inside my home.
 

cookie

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I would definetly consider taking her in if I was you! If you are thinking about her so much, it's sounds like the bond is already there! If you keep her separated from the other cats and introduce them slowly, (people from this site can help a lot with that), there is a good chance they can live peacefully with a chase here and there!
I have a friend who when the cats were first introduced, there was hissing growling for a month, but then they became the best of friends! Even sleeping together! So ofcourse it's your decision, but give it some more thought before she gets adopted and you loose your chance!
 

prinny

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Based on my experiences with the Knox County Humane Society in Thomaston, Maine, I'd definitely call and ask about the cat. Or, as someone else suggested, go and hang out there for a while by its cage. The folks at Knox County are always happy to answer questions about specific kitties. This is a no-kill shelter. A couple of their cats have been there for more than two years. Others seem to disappear within a matter of days. And the staff here follows up on the placements to make sure all is right with the dog or cat.

If the folks at your shelter are like those at Knox County, they'd be glad to have someone show an interest in a stray they brought in. And it would be nice to have a potential owner be able to speak with someone who has a little bit more knowledge about the cat. And it won't hurt the rest of the cats if you visited them and talked to them. We still go help socialize the cats. One has already decided my husband is her daddy and that she is daddy's girl. We're hoping to be able to make that a reality.

Good luck to your little stray.
 

jeanie g.

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Prinny, That's good information for us to have! Thank you. I hope you can get your cat!
 
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