When does it become too many cats? - Page 2

Bizarre it is.... hard to believe it too Especially when she probably needs their money to care for the cats. It makes no sense, and I don't believe it.

I am sure you do not believe it. I had not believed it till I saw it .

I am not sure if it is wise to post photo's so I am not. As I said they have a ton of money between them. One is a practicing vet and the other is a retired physicist and mathematician.

So why do you all think they have no money ? Or do you think I am cheep or work for free ?

The independently wealthy part and not needing government help makes sense but I find it hard to believe that they have over 500 cats, outside help and the story hasn't gone public. Not saying I'm calling you a liar, just hard to believe that everyone (vet, nurse, caretaker, neighbor, gardener, meter maid, etc) has kept their mouth shut. Lucky them.

I agree . I wish they where less "hidden" cause I really think they could be a good TV show. But you have to remember just like me the independability wealthy can do as they wish .

O and I am the maid too .

I watch a webcam at Friends of Felines Rescue Center in Ohio. (www.ffrc.petfinder.com is their website) At any point in time, they house 60-100 (approx) cats. In the main portion of the center, are some resident cats, mainly geriatric cats, but there are a couple that are younger, and the cats that are available for adoption. There is a staff of approximately 40 volunteers that work in 3 shifts throughout the day, 7 days a week. Each shift, they feed, clean boxes, mop, brush all the long hair and medium hair kitties, do laundry, change towels and pillow cases off of perches and beds, and a host of other things. All of the cats live in harmony together; it's amazing. There are the occasional squabbles, but no serious fights. Each morning, Jacci (the founder) checks her book of kitties to see who needs vaccines, nail trims, flea treatments, or other medication. She weighs kittens and cats that have medical issues and records all that. There is a low-cost clinic on the premises and 3X a week a vet comes to do spays, neuters, and wellness checks for the kitties at the shelter and in the community.

There are also cats who live on the sunporch. They couldn't handle living indoors for whatever reason (spraying, fighting, and etc.) In the winter, they are moved into the big barn that is totally equipped with heat, weatherproof, and they have all the ammenities of home. During the summer months, they have enclosed areas in which to live. They also are tended to during the 3 shifts.

The last group of cats are the Cat's Cove cats. These are mostly former ferals who have behavior problems, medical issues, or some other situation that makes them unadoptable. They live in the big barn that has rugs on the floor, lots of cat furniture for them to lay/jump on, and cat walkways all around. They are also part of the 3 shifts and are loved on, fed, groomed, etc daily.

I'm not exactly sure how big all of FFRC is, but I do know that it's all volunteer and run on a lot of donations. They just built a new addition to the Center to serve as an isolation area for new intakes and for those recovering from surgery or new moms and kittens. Every single cat is vetted, de-wormed, flea treated, and very loved.

Did anyone watch this last night? I just caught it on the DVR at my parents' house. I really enjoyed it, though it was very emotional at times. What did you think?

I think doing the special is really smart. She relies on donations and I think a lot of people are going to be sending her money after seeing the program.

A small photo of some of the cats I work with. No questions will be answered. It is just to show proof of what I say.

No comments though ? I was going to post two or three more but I guess not.

I'm more interested in knowing what people thought about the program than arguing about the sizes of shelters or the number of cats they care for. Just my opinion.

I see, I am sorry . Do you want me to delete my posts? Or at least the picture's? Or I can make my insane job its own thread . Or I can leave it alone . Again I am sorry.

I am currently at my limit. I have 4 indoor only cats and a feral that lives in my garage. I also have 2 dogs and a horse. I board the horse out at a stable.

Financially I feel that I am at my limit because all of my animals eat premium food and get excellent veterinary care. I am fortunate to be able to do this comfortably. I am also fortunate to be able to spend time with each one of them (except the feral) daily with brushings, training and game playing. I do all of this and still have time for myself.

To answer your question, I think most people just *know* when they are at their limit.

I foster kittens for this rescue, and have been to the rescue itself. The cats are not crammed in corners of the house, they actually do roam throughout the entire 12 acres. They have multiple buildings on the property, not just the one house. They have an isolation building for sick cats, a kitten "nursery" building, a Senior cat building, and the house. It is VERY sanitary. They not only have the full time staff, but many volunteers that are not included, so its actually not 26 cats per staff member because all the volunteers are not included in that. They have a separate guest room where people actually travel from all over and stay in the guest room and help out.

They DO adopt out animals, but in my city adult cats are rarely found good homes. We have THE highest kill rate at our SPCA in the United States. Its hard enough finding cute kittens a forever home. There are a lot of irresponsible owners here who don't alter their cats, and we have a TON of feral colonies in almost every neighborhood. We are literally overrun with cats.

And CHOTK IS the largest no cage rescue in the world, that was not a lie.

She gets a lot of donations of food, litter, and money..She doesn't do it all by herself so I don't know why regular cat owners are comparing their own limits to that of a RESCUE. This isn't just someone random person who has 700 cats.

I have been fostering kittens for them for years now! The rescue is a wonderful place, and we need more of them!

And Also:

If National Geographic gets a certain number of good responses from viewers they will come back and make it an actual series and film more episodes. I am a little biased cause I know the "actors", but it was very fun to watch, and sad as well.

Also, add them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ca...31833653546347

You have never been there...That IS exactly what you see, cats spread out all over the 12 acres.

Its not the largest rescue, but the largest NO CAGE rescue.

I have actually BEEN there and it is incredible! And CLEAN!!

The cats ARE literally everywhere on the 12 acres - in the trees, inside buildings, in the garage, on top of buildings. There are separate buildings and areas - senior cats, FIV/FELV, kitten building, ICU ward, etc. It is very well organized - she knows what she's doing!

Lynea and I walked down the hill towards the Kings River and she would clap her hands and yell "KITTIES!!!! WALK!!!!" and they came running from everywhere and followed us down to the river - ran up into the trees and then continued to follow us on our walk. Every time I turned around there were more coming!

I know it is hard to imagine, but please don't ASSume things. These cats are very well taken care of - I would make a bet, even more so than your average cat!

All I can say is WOW! That is way more amazing then the people I work for. I would LOVE to see photo's of what you saw! Is this place open to the public or did you work for her?

Thank you for sharing what you personally saw .

Well I have to reply to the post....

I have personally visited the Cat's House on the Kings and spent two days on the property. I slept the night there and believe me those cats are very well taken care of. It is not madness, it is very well organized. There is the building for the senior cats with a deck where they can just lounge and take the sun and they are not bothered by the younger one who, by nature, are more energetic. There is the kitten building, dedicated to the kittens and their care, there is a FIV building and an ICU... Everything is very well organized. The ones that roam around are the healthy ones, the young ones.

I was there where Lynea himself looked at one of them (and she has 700) and asked one of her volunteer if that cat was losing weight.... they agreed it was so and they immediately picked her up and checked her... so I have to say, yes she has many cats but it is amazingly clean and well taken care.

I have to say this, as I was there personally and spent two wonderful days petting and taking care of those cats. It is a shelter. It is a sanctuary.

Just in response to your first point, Willowy, about not being overextended.27 cats to one person may be manageable if they were all healthy and happy. I work in an animal hospital and sometimes caring for 4 sick cats takes up my entire 10 hour shift. When each cat needs.meds or force-feeding or Bloodwork or xray or if they have major.diarrhea and it goes all over the place or if the cat is on oxygen or needs artificial respiration, etc, c, it takes a lot of time. I don't know the situation at this place as I will have to.wait until I am on my laptop but just my $0.02.

Just donated $50. Bless this lady.
I completely disagree. Hoarders wouldn't be able to give up their cats to other who want to adopt them. And she says she's saved like 10,000+ cats..