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kailie

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I have just been a wreck lately guys.
All hell is breaking loose in the foster world, which is why I haven't been on as much lately.

Kittens in many foster homes have been getting very, very sick, and some haven't made it at all. We are all devastated and getting a lot of backlash for it. Most of the symptoms aren't even showing up until a few days AFTER adoption, but the adopters are coming back and blaming all of us foster parents for adopting out sick kittens.

There are many things we WERE aware of. We have had kittens with crazy URI's that last SO long and are completely resistant to antibiotics. We've had the worst eye ulcers I have ever seen, and some foster moms have even had to have some fosters eyes removed. There has also been some terrible bouts of vomiting an diarrhea.

The beginning of this week, the shelter sent the remains of 2 kittens who had passed to be tested. One was a fellow foster mom's baby who literally was fine one day, dead the next and the second was a former foster of mine who died a week after adoption and showed no symptoms while in my care. The kitten from the other foster mom's home was shown to have feline distemper. She has numerous other fosters and she is scared to death! they have all been re-vaccinated, and have to be monitored for 2 months. The results for mine are not back yet and should be next week but they did determine he was FULL of tapeworms. No adoptions are happening from here until we get to the bottom of what is going on.

There have been numerous instances lately where us foster parents feel we have been misled and lied to. Our fosters are not getting the vet attention they need unless we pay for it ourselves and the shelter has now decided that the animals will just be PTS instead. We were completely misled to believe that the new executive director had stopped the mass euthanizing, but are now finding out that is not the case.

The straw that broke the camels back was this. A couple weeks back a foster was adopted and a few days after she showed symptoms of a bad URI. The adopter was amazing, and wanted to do all she could to help this girl get better. She brought her to the vet. The vet called the shelter and the shelter agreed to take over the care of this girl. At that point the vet told the adopter that they would just "wait and see" where only minutes before they were talking about all of the different things they could do treatment wise. THEN the adopter was told to call the shelter to get updates and not the vet, even THOUGH it was HER kitten! She adopted her! She emailed me, as she was concerned about this and didn't want the shelter to euthanize her, as she was more than willing to pay for her care. The next day she was told the kitten didn't make it through the night, when in fact, I found out, she was euthanized the night before! The adopter was NOT consulted or given ANY options! I found out what the symptoms were and they were symptoms that I have nursed kittens for numerous times in the past. It was completely deceitful and NOT right and I can't be a part of this anymore!

I have been beyond distraught over all of this, depressed, crying constantly and I feel like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. I want to continue to foster and help these animals, but with how things are right now, I CAN'T be a part of the shadiness of the shelter with everything coming to light. I just don't know what to do. It's such a nightmare.
 
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Winchester

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WTH?! Kailie, I am so sorry! What is going on with that shelter? What can you do? God, I feel so sorry for that poor woman who adopted that kitty, only to have the shelter euthanize it. Dear lord, that's just awful.

I don't even know what to say to you to try to make you feel any better and I feel terrible about that. You and your fosters have always been in my thoughts and that will continue. I'm just so sorry you're going through this.
 

xocats

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OMG Kailie....:shocked:
No one, human or feline, deserves to be treated with such disrespect. :mad:

Do you think that maybe laws have been broken by the shelter?
Maybe, if you could find a concerned lawyer or someone with political clout, they could start and investigation to find out what really is happening.

No foster or adoptive parent should have to go though this.:(
This is a terrible tragedy for all concerned, including the cats.

Sending vibes that someone is able to get to the bottom of this and the suffering stops.:vibes::cross:
You deserve a loving hug with the hope that things improve quickly. :hugs:
 

jcat

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, Kailie. What a horrible situation. I've read of new resistant strains of distemper wreaking havoc at shelters and rescues, but the shelter's reaction seems really extreme. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes: to you and the other foster parents.
 

ldg

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Oh Kailie, that is just heart-breaking on SO many fronts. :heart3: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: !!!!!!

First of all, :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: for the babies and the foster families. I really hope you can get to the bottom of what's going on with the health issues! :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :heart3:

As to the shelter euthanizing someone's PET... that is NOT OK, and you should report it to someone. Is there an ASPCA kind of place up there? At the very least, you might want to search for journalists that have written good stories about rescue animals, and talk to them about shedding some light on what's going on at the shelter and with their policies. There was a shelter in the Toronto area, if I remember correctly, that just last year (?) started euthanizing cats for a ... distemper? .... outbreak, and there was a public outcry, stories were written, and they were forced to stop. :nod: I think doing what you can to take action will go a long way to helping stop the tears. :cross: :hugs: :hugs: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 

libby74

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Oh Kailie, I'm so very sorry!  That shelters response to a sick kitten was absolutely uncalled for.  I wonder if the adoptive owner has a lawsuit? 

I wish I had some words of widsom for you, sweetie.  Please know that you and all the foster homes and kitties will be in my prayers.  Sending many
that something in the system changes soon! 
 

feralvr

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OMG Kailie - this is devastating news all around :(... AW Sweetie - and so hard on you as it puts you in a difficult position. But I agree, that it was NOT right that the shelter euthanized this kitten without notifying the owner. And maybe the owner should file a report against the shelter :dk:.... That is just SO wrong and deceitful :mad:. I hope you can get some answers directly from the shelter as to WHY they at least didn't contact the owner :sniffle: I would be heartbroken too over this situation.

:vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes: for all of the sick kitties. AND loads of :hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs: to you. Just a tragic situation on many levels :(
 

larussa

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I am so sorry to hear all of this Kailie.  This is just horrible and something should be done, this shelter should be reported.  I can only imagine what you're going through being a part of this organization and believing in them.  I know what a difficult decision you have to make to either stay or go.  I am praying these people will straighten everything out and no more kittens who can be saved will not be euthanized instead.  This is a very sad situation.

 

momto3boys

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Oh Kailie, I am so heartbroken for you and all those babies


This is just horrible and I am so shocked about the shelter, all those babies :(
 

bellaandme

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this is so devastating to hear sweetie.!!!
all my :heart3: and :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes: to you You have a wonderful heart and I know it's breaking right now. try to stay strong--we're here for you. You do such a wonderful thing for those babies!!!
 

nurseangel

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Kailie, I'm so sorry. 
  For you, for the woman who adopted, for the kittens.  You work so hard and are such a special person.  The cats at the shelter would suffer a tremendous loss without you, because you are their champion.  However, I can understand why you would want to distance yourself from a shelter in light of what happened.  I feel like I'm saying this all wrong and not helping at all, but please know that I am on your side 100%. 
 

AbbysMom

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This whole situation is just horrible. :( Is it possible for you to start fostering for a different group? So sorry you are dealing with this. :hugs:
 

ruthyb

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I am so sorry hun,what a terribly heartbreaking situation.You do your very best for those kitties and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.I hope this all subsides soon.
x
 
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kailie

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This whole situation is just horrible.
Is it possible for you to start fostering for a different group? So sorry you are dealing with this.

The only thing is, there is only 1 other local rescue organization, and they are even WORSE than the shelter! Well, actually he organization is fine, but the director and I have almost come to blows. The idiot is currently going to court for a drunk driving charge, her second one.


I really appreciate all of your kind words and support guys. I'm still not 100% sure what I want to do. If I DO continue to foster for them, I am going to completely limit my contact with them, but I don't know... I'm thinking strongly of starting my OWN rescue.
 

catbehaviors

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Oh my word, what is wrong with that shelter? Euthanizing someone's kitten without even MENTIONING it to them???? :argh: Sending many vibes you and the kitties way- and to all of the people who adopted cats that died too. :( It is NOT your fault that they were adopted while unhealthy. I think starting your own rescue could actually be a good idea- you are the perfect person to run one. Hope everything turns out well! :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

ldg

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I already think of your work as "Kailie's Foster Kitties." :)

I know this is incredibly stressing and distressing. :heart3: :hugs:

And though this sounds like the worst situation you've had to deal with as far as your shelter-related work goes, I'm sure that in your characteristic style you'll take your time to figure out the best course of action. :hugs: :heart3: Vibes that you'll find the best path for the kitties and for you without too much more distress! :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 

darkmavis

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I'm not sure I have anything to say that hasn't already been said, but yeah, that's just a really, really horrible situation. Poor kitties! My heart is breaking for them, not getting the chance at a healthy life that they deserve. And for the new catmom who had her little one taken from her? I'm just speechless on that one. And very sad. That said, I do wish the kittens, adopters, and you and other foster parents tons of vibes for everyone to get better and be healthy.


Is doing your own rescue work feasible? If so, I wish you all the best!
 

AbbysMom

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I really appreciate all of your kind words and support guys. I'm still not 100% sure what I want to do. If I DO continue to foster for them, I am going to completely limit my contact with them, but I don't know... I'm thinking strongly of starting my OWN rescue.
My next suggestion was going to be that you and some of the other foster moms do that. Such a sad situation. :(
 
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