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how to find dedicated caregivers for feral group

post #1 of 8
5/4/11 at 10:50am
Thread Starter 
Hi, My freind and I have been caring for a group of cats in junk yard, they are safe there. Have done this everyday for 3 years, we had them all spayed and neutered actually 30 in all. Had adopted 8 out, now there are 20 left. The problem is: I have returning breast cancer and am on chemo right now,I am 73 yrs, and my freind is 70 has beginnings of Parkinsons. I have no idea how long we will be able to continue. We do the best we can, with food and fresh water daily. Each have names and all eat together. They are about 3yrs old as well, just a couple of older ones. Some are very freindly that we can pet and play with, and others just watch and don't come near, except to eat. My question is how do we find someone to care for them, or to transfer them to a safe place?
Thanks for any help or suggestions,
Ruth
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post #2 of 8
5/4/11 at 3:44pm
You and your friend are saints to these cats and I thank you for what you are doing for all of these strays. I am sorry to hear of your breast cancer and think the best thing to do would be to try to contact some TNR organizations in your area and see if anyone can help get the friendly ones into a shelter/rescue and the other ones transferred to barns. Trying to find another colony caretaker might be a big challenge, but these organizations might have a suggestion or someone in that area already caring for cats. I commend you for your concern and care of these cats and you are doing the right thing by trying to find someone to take over the feedings because those cats do rely on you now. I wish I had more advice to offer, but maybe someone will have some other solid suggestions for you. Much, much luck to you
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post #3 of 8
5/5/11 at 7:58am
Oh, sorry to hear about your health issues. And you are definite saints.
A somewhat unusual suggestion: contact your local middle school or high school. A number of school systems require that students complete a certain number of hours every year giving back to the community, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen or the SPCA. Being responsible for a community cat group--such as you and your friend have--may very well qualify. I know a friend of a friend's high-school age daughter helped out at my friend's small cattery in her house, and the daughter got community service credit.
Good luck.
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post #4 of 8
5/5/11 at 6:35pm
I would contact local vets. Explain the situation, and tell them you're looking for a/some truly dedicated "crazy cat" people. I'm helping a local group relocated about 50 feral cats in southern NJ, and it is NOT easy, and VERY slow going. Plus, if they're relocated, they have to be kept contained somehow for at least three weeks, and there's always the risk they run to try to get home, back to familiar territory.

I would contact rescues/shelters - but this is kitten season, and if the ones around you are anything like the ones up here (NW NJ), they won't even return your e-mail or your call. But you can use the shelter search at petfinder to locate groups in your area, and starting with an e-mail campaign wouldn't hurt.

But my bet is the local vets. In the end, that's how Gary and I did most of our networking here. In fact - in helping cats in other areas of the country, we had the best luck by looking up local vets, calling around, explaining what we needed, and that we were looking for the "crazy cat person." It usually only took 2 or 3 calls to find a vet that said "I know the perfect person. Let me take down your phone number."

for both you and your friend. And, of course, the kitties. Please do keep us posted!
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post #5 of 8
5/6/11 at 12:02pm
I would recommend hanging up flyers and posting ads on the internet. You may have to find several people to share the responsibility. Feeding the cats 7 days a week every day of the year is a pretty big responsibility and unless you are a true "crazy cat lady" most people probably wouldn't want to do it. A colony near where I used to live had four caretakers that had a schedule they went by - each person would feed one or two days a week on set days. I think it would be much easier finding people willing to go out two days a week than every day.
I would suggest that you make up some flyers, copied on colored paper to they stick out, and hang them at vet offices, pet stores and other pet related businesses. Maybe even the local library and other non pet related places where a lot of people go. I originally found out about fostering through a flyer at my local grocery store.
You can also advertise on the internet on sites like Craigslist and Oodle or some local sites in your area. There are some good people out there that want to help animals and caring for a colony is a great hands-on way to do that.

Good luck and thank you for all the great work you're doing!
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post #6 of 8
5/10/11 at 10:43am
Thread Starter 
Thank you all for the great ideas and I think it will give me a chance to see if I can find some willing people just for a couple of days a week, that might work out best. I just feel so responsible, but age and other things are cropping up. I just pray there are some willing cat people out there. I am so glad for your help.
Thanks and Blessings, Ruth
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post #7 of 8
5/10/11 at 11:48am
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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post #8 of 8
5/10/11 at 11:51am
There's probably so many of us that wishes we lived closer so we could help.

There's some vibes, hopefully you find someone to help you guys
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