Have To Give Them Up

I feel terrible even posting this, but we're going to have to give up our cats and kittens. We've hit some hard financial times and we can't afford to give them the things they need. It's difficult to even keep them fed. I love them and I really don't want to lose them, but I trust all of you here and my biggest concern is that they have a good home.

I've included pictures of all that I can get pictures of... we have an adult male (not neutered) about 3 years old, I think. It's Parrot. I'm sure some of you have seen me post about him before.



He's a wonderful housecat - affectionate, and very vocal. You'll always have someone to talk to. He's healthy and active, though not up to date on his shots. No fleas, good appetite and friendly personality. I'm really trying very hard to avoid giving him up to a shelter - I know how much of a chance adult cats have of being adopted. :/

The rest of them are kittens - probably about 11 weeks old now. I have a few pictures, but to be honest, they all pretty much look the same.





The last picture of the grey one is a bit older, so he doesn't have those blue eyes anymore.

There are two grey kittens, both male as far as I can tell. I believe the other two black and white ones are female. None neutered or spayed, and none have seen a vet yet. All the kittens appear to be healthy - good appetites, well socialized, active and alert.

I feel like such a betrayer of my cats by doing this, but I can't afford to give them a proper life anymore, so I'm hoping someone here can.

If you'd like to adopt one of them, just post here and I'll give you my location. Unfortunately, we no longer have a car and can't transport them, so you'll have to pick them up. Please don't think badly of me for doing this, I really am trying to do the what's best for them.

I'm sorry you're going through a rough time. Hopefully someone will have some ideas that could help you. If you post some idea of your location, someone might know of some resources in your area.

I'm in Missouri, near St. Louis.

I don't think badly of you. At all. You are thinking of what is best for them. If you can't afford vet care and shots plus food then you certainly have hit a hard time. Hopefully it is just a bump in the road.
Try to find a no kill shelter like this one:
http://www.catnetwork.com/main.asp

Tell them your situation and hopefully someone can pick them up to being them there. They will be fed, vetted and neutered. If you can not find someone here then I think that is the best choice. They have a good opportunity to be adopted at a good shelter because that will be the first place some people will go. He is only 3 which is young still.

I am sure you have tried to find another solution but maybe this is for the best.

Is no one interested?

Another thought, what about checking with the food bank for cat food? With so many people giving up their pets for similar reasons, a lot of the food banks are trying to carry pet food.
Instead of kitty litter, you can use cut up newspaper.

As much as I would love to help you, my husband has reached his limit on the number of dogs and cats we can have right now.

Take the kittens to a no kill or low kill shelter. They have an EXCELLENT chance of being adopted because they are young and cute.

Keep Parrot temporarily, and look for financial assistance for food for the kitty. There ARE some programs that assist people in those cases to keep their pets.

Also if you can find low cost spay neuter clinic you could get some of that medical (eg rabies and spay/neuter) done at a REASONABLE to no cost.

I don't know much about the shelters there, or the animal rescue groups - but stories like yours are becomeing very very common.

For litter - you can use pellets you burn in wood stove, or rabbit
litter - might be less costly than kitty litter. You can also use
sand Cheap if you get bags from Home Depot - tho heavy to carry!!

Here are some links to try out for assistance:

Metro animals in Missouri: http://www.metroanimal.org/spay_neuter/main.shtml

phone no for low cost spay/neuter National Hotlines
(800) 248-SPAY
(800) 321-PETS

Pet Savers Foundation/Spay USA.

"Dog Hause" - Spay/neuter information page.

Pawprints & Purrs - Spay/neuter information page.

Companion Animal Rescue Effort C.A.R.E. - National directory of low-cost spay/neuter programs page.

SNAP - P.O. Box 14354, Springfield, MO 65814 - Phone: (417)823-SNAP

Spay Neuter Clinic of the Ozarks - P.O. Box 14139 Springfield, MO 65814 Voicemail: 417-875-6555 (recording is available 24 hours every day)
More Metro St Louis Spay/Neuter Resources

Spay and Neuter Services
This section was last modified on Tuesday, March 04, 2008.


Metro St Louis


BARC - 314-435-1819, 314-732-9679 or 314-769-1004. Check website for current S/N Programs. E-mail: [email protected] or E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.barcstl.org/free-spay-and...-programs.html.
Humane Society of Missouri - Any dog or cat spayed or neutered for $29.95. Watch for other "Added Costs" By appointment only. You must call and ask for the SNIP Program, or you will be directed to the Humane Society's regular market rate spay/neuter program. The SNIP Program will not be advertised over the telephone; you must request it by name. 1201 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. 314-802-5700. URL: http://www.hsmo.org
Open Door Animal Sanctuary P.O. Box 870, House Springs, MO 63051. 636-671-3643. Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program. Has a low cost spay/neuter program: dog neuter is $40, dog spay is $50, cat neuter $35, and cat spay is $50. Shots are $10 total for rabies and distemper together. They must do the spay/neuter to get the low cost shots. Assists with Feral Cats and TNR. E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.odas.org.
Operation SPOT - "Stop Pet Overpopulation Today." Spay/neuter education and information. Occasional S/N Programs offered check their website. P.O. Box 29563, St. Louis, MO 63127. 314-995-8678. E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.opspot.org.
Pet Search/Pet Services - Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program. Spay/neuter certificates Londell, MO E-mail: [email protected]
Pound Pals - Nooterville Program: Spay/neuter assistance to low-income families in St. Louis City. (AFDC, TANF, Medicare, Medicaid, WIC, SSI, or Food Stamps). 314-776-SPAY.
E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.poundpals.org.
PUPS - "Prevent Unwanted Pets." Spay/neuter referral. Imperial, MO.
636-282-3512 or 636-677-2943 E-mail: [email protected]
St. Louis Pet Clinic - Both early and low-cost spay/neuter. 2245 S. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63104. 314-773-6400.

Feral/Alley/Barn Cats


Animal Docs, Inc. - 3046 Winghaven Blvd, O'Fallon, MO 63366. 636-561-9122.
Clarkson-Wilson Vet Clinic - 32 Clarkson-Wilson Center, Chesterfield, MO 63017 314-530-1808
24 Hour paging service
St. Louis Pet Clinic - Both early and low-cost spay/neuter. 2245 S. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63104. 314-773-6400.
Spencer Creek Animal Hospital - 520 Jungermann Road, St. Peters, MO 63376
636-447-3727.


Spay and Neuter Services
This section was last modified on Tuesday, March 04, 2008.


Metro St Louis


BARC - 314-435-1819, 314-732-9679 or 314-769-1004. Check website for current S/N Programs. E-mail: [email protected] or E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.barcstl.org/free-spay-and...-programs.html.
Humane Society of Missouri - Any dog or cat spayed or neutered for $29.95. Watch for other "Added Costs" By appointment only. You must call and ask for the SNIP Program, or you will be directed to the Humane Society's regular market rate spay/neuter program. The SNIP Program will not be advertised over the telephone; you must request it by name. 1201 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. 314-802-5700. URL: http://www.hsmo.org
Open Door Animal Sanctuary P.O. Box 870, House Springs, MO 63051. 636-671-3643. Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program. Has a low cost spay/neuter program: dog neuter is $40, dog spay is $50, cat neuter $35, and cat spay is $50. Shots are $10 total for rabies and distemper together. They must do the spay/neuter to get the low cost shots. Assists with Feral Cats and TNR. E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.odas.org.
Operation SPOT - "Stop Pet Overpopulation Today." Spay/neuter education and information. Occasional S/N Programs offered check their website. P.O. Box 29563, St. Louis, MO 63127. 314-995-8678. E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.opspot.org.
Pet Search/Pet Services - Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program. Spay/neuter certificates Londell, MO E-mail: [email protected]
Pound Pals - Nooterville Program: Spay/neuter assistance to low-income families in St. Louis City. (AFDC, TANF, Medicare, Medicaid, WIC, SSI, or Food Stamps). 314-776-SPAY.
E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.poundpals.org.
PUPS - "Prevent Unwanted Pets." Spay/neuter referral. Imperial, MO.
636-282-3512 or 636-677-2943 E-mail: [email protected]
St. Louis Pet Clinic - Both early and low-cost spay/neuter. 2245 S. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63104. 314-773-6400.

Feral/Alley/Barn Cats


Animal Docs, Inc. - 3046 Winghaven Blvd, O'Fallon, MO 63366. 636-561-9122.
Clarkson-Wilson Vet Clinic - 32 Clarkson-Wilson Center, Chesterfield, MO 63017 314-530-1808
24 Hour paging service
St. Louis Pet Clinic - Both early and low-cost spay/neuter. 2245 S. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63104. 314-773-6400.
Spencer Creek Animal Hospital - 520 Jungermann Road, St. Peters, MO 63376
636-447-3727.


http://www.hsmo.org/ Humane Society of Missouri

Assistance for low income or those in temp. financial hardships with pets
feeding them etc. Here are a few of the websites I found out about for you:

http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=163

http://www.nomorehomelesspets.org/finance.html

http://loveyourpetexpo.com/petfoodhelp.html

National Programs

UAN
United Animal Nations' huge list of assistance organizations, national and by state.

Del Monte
Makers of Milk Bones dog treats. Their programs require non-profit satus (501 (c) (3), and are not available for individuals.

Petco Foundation
The PETCO Foundation dedicates its programs to serving the Four Rs - Reduce, Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rejoice.

We encourage Applications for Support from any 501(c)(3) organization that shares our mission and fulfills one or more of the Four Rs. Organizations should be local and be able to enlist the support of their local PETCO store.

AnimalSheltering.org
Financial assistance resources for rescues and shelters. A Program of The Humane Society of the United States.



Regional and Local Programs

The Pikes Peak Pet Pantry was started by a concerned citizen who had an idea on how to help people keep their pet when facing a financial hardship. There might come a time when you have to decide whether you can feed your family or your pet. We serve the Colorado Springs area.

California Department of Social Services
The Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ADSA) Program provides a monthly payment of $50 to eligible persons who use a guide, signal, or service dog to help them with needs related to their physical disabilities. The allowance is to help pay the costs of food, grooming, and health care for the dogs. Must live in California.

The Pet Project
Nonprofit organization that serves the needs of low-income pet owners who are living with AIDS or terminal or disabling conditions and illnesses. Located in Florida.

Cascades Humane Society
For Jackson County, Oregon Residents. You can get food for up to 2 dogs and 2 cats.

Seniors With Pets
Tacoma, Washington. Must be senior at or below poverty level to qualify.

http://rhiannonsweb.org
is a new non-profit in New Hampshire to assist with ALL types of companion animals, even those not usually considered companion animals. Rhiannon's Web is including all classes of pets from horses to rodents as we believe that people deserve to keep the beloved pets that bring them joy when times get tough which is when people need support the most!

Cocheco Valley Humane Society
Dover, NH. CVHS offers a food assistance program for residents in our service area who are challenged to meet the nutritional needs of their dog or cat due to financial burden.

Wisconsin Humane Society
Individuals must be residents of Milwaukee or Ozaukee County and must qualify for subsidized services based on their income.

Montana 2-1-1
Kootenai Pets for Life is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the care of and finding life-long homes for the stray and abondoned pet population of South Lincoln County, Montana. Provides cat or dog food and cat litter for low income seniors at commodity distributions and for pet owners who are food pantry patrons.


City of Auburn Senior Center
Washington. Need help covering the cost of pet food? Call the Senior Center for details on the Senior Pet Food Bank designed to help low income seniors supplement their pet food purchases.

Red Door Shelter
Chicago. CAFÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] is a pet food assistance program for low income pet owners.

I would take them but your too far away.... Im so sorry.

Thank you all so much for the help - I'll look into all of the links and numbers provided.