We cannot afford to help them anymore...

We cannot afford to help the cats we took off the street anymore. Apparently we're three months behind on our electricity bill; it's a wonder we have any at all. But three of the four were kittens and we knew that this summer they would die out there. We love them, we don't want to be separated from them but we can't afford our own bills. I just want to find them a good home (and nobody has been biting here in Searcy.) We are one step away from homelessness ourselves and can't afford their care anymore, and the shelter here would just put them down because they were all born feral. We have an adult, a 4 and a half month old, and two two month old kittens. The adult is spayed and has shots, the other three need fixed and shots and everything. Please, please help our babies! Our closest rescue has turned a deaf ear to us.

That is soooooo sad, both for you and the kitties.  I do hope you all get help soon.  Prayers go with you xx

Even though the kittens were born feral, haven't you had them some time now?  Aren't they used to people by now?  I'm not too familiar with this, but what makes them feral if they are used to people? 

I wish I had some suggestions for you, other than to keep calling everywhere you know, including friends and relatives, and hope someone with a kind heart helps you out. 

I'm so sorry this is happening and hope things turn around for you quickly. 

mrsgreenjeens said:

Even though the kittens were born feral, haven't you had them some time now?  Aren't they used to people by now?  I'm not too familiar with this, but what makes them feral if they are used to people? 

I wish I had some suggestions for you, other than to keep calling everywhere you know, including friends and relatives, and hope someone with a kind heart helps you out. 

I'm so sorry this is happening and hope things turn around for you quickly. 

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Yes, we have had them some time now and we've called everyone we know and nobody can take them or help. The problem is this is a college town and most people cannot have pets here. But the thing is in the eyes of the local shelter, they were born feral and it's not that they're necessarily unsocialized, but they're afraid they ALL carry diseases and they don't have the resources to test them. They only have the resources to test owner surrenders. Any other cat that comes in, they automatically put down after the initial holding period to make sure they don't have an owner. People don't like cats here or think they're made to be outdoor animals and be pest control. The towns surrounding this small burg are all farming communities.

Cookie is desperately trying to get out of the house, now he's scratching at the windows trying to see if they will let him outside. He's four and a half months old, and we need to get him fixed but there is no cheap clinic in our area and we don't have the money to get him fixed right now. See, my husband was ineligible to receive any more Pell grant for school, which helps us out greatly, otherwise we only have $700 a month income. I don't know what to do. there is no rescue group in our area, the shelter will put him down no questions asked. The shelter only offers cheap spay and neuter for DOGS, not cats.

Hi, sorry you are going through this. I know it's breaking your heart. That's crazy that the shelter will do that for dogs, but not cats!

What about any Vet's offices around? Have you called to see if they can take them to re-home, or maybe they know of another rescue, or someone else who can foster?

A vet just HAS to know someone. I would give it a try at least. I would get the phone book out, & call every Vet listed. You never know.

Sending vibes that you find someone to help!!!!!!!!!!!!

Revenwyn said:

Cookie is desperately trying to get out of the house, now he's scratching at the windows trying to see if they will let him outside. He's four and a half months old, and we need to get him fixed but there is no cheap clinic in our area and we don't have the money to get him fixed right now. See, my husband was ineligible to receive any more Pell grant for school, which helps us out greatly, otherwise we only have $700 a month income. I don't know what to do. there is no rescue group in our area, the shelter will put him down no questions asked. The shelter only offers cheap spay and neuter for DOGS, not cats.

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Yes, it's absurd that they wouldn't neuter and spay cats too.  I understand farmers need cats to be mousers, but they still don't need an over abundance of them around, therefore, they should still be offering inexpensive "fixing".  And I'm guessing there are no other grants for school, huh?  Gosh, my granddaughter get Pell grants, and I thought about the only qualification WAS low income.  I guess student loans are out?  I watched the DNC the other night, and it sounded like those aren't too bad anymore (but never had one, so really don't know)  Not that I didn't need one, I just didn't go to college

My ex-in-laws used to live in Conway - closer to Little Rock than you, but were also low-income/college students and cat owners.  I remember they were able to get free/low-cost spay/neuter with their kittens.  The love of my life, Vader is from Arkansas, I adopted him the same time as my sister-in-law adopted her kitten (from the same family).  Vader's parents were two black barn cats, sweet as anything, they choose to adopt their humans.   Anyway back to the point - I did some research and found this: http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html#ar.  There is a list of places in Arkansas that provide low cost spay/neuter.  While speaking with someone from one of those organizations I would also ask about some pet assistance. 

I remember reading not too long ago on MSN.com about organizations that are starting up or coming forward to help people care for their pets during these tough times.  It's actually smart for shelters to assist pet owners because then shelters don't have to turn people/pets away or become over burdened themselves.  I make it a point to donate to the shelter I adopted two kittens from last year.  I remember what it was like when I struggled to feed my family (which includes my pets) and pay my bills, so I give back to the shelters when I can. 

Thanks for the list, unfortunately it won't help us because we cannot drive and a lot of people here won't drive far. We've already had all the vets put up postings about these little ones and nobody has called. If they're going to adopt, they're going to adopt a cat that's already been fixed, shots, everything, and usually declawed too, which we will not allow.

Yes, my husband is already receiving all the federal loans he can, and we have no cosigner for private ones, which sucks because he is on his LAST semester.

I am SOOOOO sorry to be reading this about your situation. I know things are tight for you even when you took in Cookie and Binky. Oh dear hno: I just can't fathom that NO ONE is stepping up to help you when you took these babies in out of the kindness of your heart and saved them. I just don't know what to tell you and wish I could somehow help you with this situation, but I am so far away. What about talking to all local vets and the office staff?? That might bring about some caring and compassionate individuals to assist and take these kittens. :cross:

Things got even worse; we just got notified that I cannot get any more deferments on my student loans, or forebearances. My husband also has a private loan up for repayment. That's $400 a month we do not have. We're out of cash for the month already, we're eating one meal a day so that we can afford to get our cats something until someone helps out, since pet food is not covered on food stamps and there are no pet food banks in our area. In other words, we're feeding raw because we have the supplements for it still and chicken is something you can buy on food stamps. We're about $500 in the red now, and credit was maxed out a long time ago.

People around here don't seem to care about animals... people can get a permit in this town to shoot strays on their property. And they do.

We so need a miracle right now. I've had applications in for jobs constantly since we moved here (right out of homelessness I might add) and I have not had a single interview, even when places did actually have positions open. With our last miracle we helped the cats. And now we're about to lose them, or lose our home. It may be too late to save the roof over our heads as well.

I'm sorry to sound harsh, but the bottom line is, you need to save your home, that is your priority.  if the cats were originally feral then they will adapt back to that quite easily, not nice, but sadly, you have to feed yourselves and keep the roof over your heads, if you don't do that then you won't have a home to offer any animal when things get better for you.  Again, not to be harsh, but I wouldn't be spending my meagre amount of money on internet connection.  Look after yourselves, feed yourselves, the rest will be dealt with by the universe.  Have you read the law of attraction?  simply put, whatever you focus on in your heart and mind is exactly what you will get, you draw it to you, so focusing on what you don't have, e.g. money, means this situation will remain until you focus on your abundance, which to you may not seem like much, but there are always people worse off.  I think you need to take the cats to a shelter and let them help them/deal with them as necessary.

Good luck and God Bless 

Denise Mackie said:

I'm sorry to sound harsh, but the bottom line is, you need to save your home, that is your priority.  if the cats were originally feral then they will adapt back to that quite easily, not nice, but sadly, you have to feed yourselves and keep the roof over your heads, if you don't do that then you won't have a home to offer any animal when things get better for you.  Again, not to be harsh, but I wouldn't be spending my meagre amount of money on internet connection.  Look after yourselves, feed yourselves, the rest will be dealt with by the universe.  Have you read the law of attraction?  simply put, whatever you focus on in your heart and mind is exactly what you will get, you draw it to you, so focusing on what you don't have, e.g. money, means this situation will remain until you focus on your abundance, which to you may not seem like much, but there are always people worse off.  I think you need to take the cats to a shelter and let them help them/deal with them as necessary.

Good luck and God Bless 

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I don't have home internet, and the "shelter" here would be a death sentence for them. Three of the four are still kittens and don't remember life outside.

How are things? Just thinking of you and so sorry for your situation. My heart goes out to you and the kitties

We're still hanging on. Still no job, still nobody to take the kitties. The vets around here have stopped accepting postings because nobody around here has the money for more kitties. We're switching from raw to store brand canned, it works out to be $1 a day for 4 grown kitties; they're not eating that much yet. I checked the ingredients, it doesn't seem too bad and it's made in the USA from USA ingredients.

I worry that we cannot afford to get flea protection for them, but we are combing them out daily with a flea comb and drowning fleas in soapy water. Hopefully things will get better. We're also trying to vacuum up the fleas as much as possible but they're still hanging around. There just seems to be nobody here who can help us or take them. We're getting bill assistance this month but it's a once a year thing. I would hate to send them to the shelter as it is a death sentence, and only if we cannot keep our housing will we do it.

Try local petstores they sometimes have clearance on food-either want to get rid of some not selling or short dated. 

When dealing with shelters/vets.... DO  NOT say they are feral.  That give images of untouchable hissing/growling.  They are strays you found and tried to keep. 

Have you looked into if you can qualify for other assistance?

Have you asked on craigslist for ectra supplies?  I have donated to more then one person from ads needing food or supplies.
 

catsallaround said:

Try local petstores they sometimes have clearance on food-either want to get rid of some not selling or short dated. 

When dealing with shelters/vets.... DO  NOT say they are feral.  That give images of untouchable hissing/growling.  They are strays you found and tried to keep. 

Have you looked into if you can qualify for other assistance?

Have you asked on craigslist for ectra supplies?  I have donated to more then one person from ads needing food or supplies.
 

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definitely post on craigs list...kajiji...facebook  asking for help.............i know if someone near me were in your position and only asking for cat supplies, I'd be right out with help for the poor babies! plenty of people would step up, i'm sure. I'd would suggest a facebook page....Rescued pets make the best pets....they are set up to help babies in need and can share your story, perhaps even help you rehome the kittens

catsallaround said:

Try local petstores they sometimes have clearance on food-either want to get rid of some not selling or short dated. 
When dealing with shelters/vets.... DO  NOT say they are feral.  That give images of untouchable hissing/growling.  They are strays you found and tried to keep. 

Have you looked into if you can qualify for other assistance?
Have you asked on craigslist for ectra supplies?  I have donated to more then one person from ads needing food or supplies. 

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Absolutely agree that you should not use the term feral when describing them. Great suggestion about the food at the local pet stores. I do know for a fact that they toss out SO much food just because it is outdated by just a day. Great suggestion, Cindy!!!!!!!!

My heart goes out to you and your situation.

I was thinking the same thing. When taking them to the shelter why not have just placed them as an owner surrender? Youre saying they wont the cats because they were feral but if you have had them as pets for this long telling the shelter they were ever strays was pretty pointless and hurt your chances of unloading yourselves of weight you guys obviously cant afford right now and put a stigma on the cats that they dont deserve if domesticated to be a pet as im getting from your posts? While i do feel your hardship (we had to downgrade our dogfood from taste of wild to old roy and vitamins to give her anything shes lacking...uck..and my husband serves in the military) coming on here and complaining and then shooting down every single idea people are trying to give you you is just making it look like your looking for ideas on ways to get handouts. At least in my opinion. I dont follow politics or world news. I dont pretend to be well rounded in culture or extremely educated so i dont know how other countries are but america as a whole is suffering. Our economy is drained and we are all hurting. If you cant afford to take care of an animal you shouldnt have one or try to take in ferals that will adapt on their own and hunt for their food. Some people may disagree with me but i think theyre better off that way then now being stuck in this situation where theyve become accustomed to being taken care of and now the owners are facing financial issues and shelters wont take them unless its to put them to sleep. Or if your going to do anything to help a feral cat then TNR. Trap neuter release. Me and my husband fight everyday to pay our bills. I go to school full time and when im not im watching our daughter. Hes in the army. Our pets and daughter care and food comes first and then my husband eats before i do because he works and is making the money and is constantly under so much strain. Am i dying of hunger? No. Do i enjoy a lavish lifestyle where i get to eat out at applebees or order pizza? Nope. We dont own a car. We take the bus.

As others have said post on facebook and craigslist. Im POSITIVE if you post free kittens to good home on craigslist you will get a response. No matter where you are. There are ALWAYS people looking for free pets that dont have to pay anything so they have extra money to spend on bowls, food, collars, teeats, etc. Thats where i found my aunts cats when her husband passed away. The cats are all under a year which makes it even better. Stop letting loose that they were once strays. Even if they are a little shy...some cats are. As long as theyre not psycho neurotic asses that scratch and bite the moment someone comes near them you really shouldnt have an issue.

The shelter doesn't have room for owner surrenders. Not without putting them down. We're in a rural community and people here want OUTDOOR cats, barn cats they can leave alone. We are basically in the business center of a larger rural farming area.

We don't drive either. My mother just bought me a bike. Honestly, I wanted to try TNR. That was our goal with Binky, our adult female. But unfortunately she got pregnant before we could get her fixed. The shelter does not have traps. They are anti TNR in this town. The general feeling here is that those who will die will die so there is no need to spay or neuter ferals because it won't get overpopulated to begin with.

We don't have a lavish lifestyle. Please don't assume we do. We have no vehicle, we do not eat out, we are on food stamps, the only reason we still have computers is that they don't have any resale value, and we do not have home internet; the college campus where my husband attends is nice enough to let me use their guest connection on a normal basis. We do not have cable. We don't even have a TV. We never go out to movies, never order out, only ever go to a restaurant on our anniversary and then we split a $12 item (we don't even have the money to do that this year.) We don't eat fast food either. We don't run air conditioning or heat during the fall or spring either. Our bed is our only furniture; we don't even have a dresser.  We don't have a washer or dryer in the house. We each have a week's worth of clothing other than a church or interview outfit, and three pairs of shoes each. We were homeless in 2009. We feel for the homeless.

As far as Craigslist is concerned, most people in our area do not use it, and the people who live near us are college students and most of them cannot have pets because of their living situation. Those who like cats around here have cats and are at their cat limit; a friend of ours has six and cannot take any more. Or they like cats but can't have them because of where they live. We have looked. We're an hour away from the nearest real city and nobody will drive an hour for a kitten. Not even the rescue group there will drive an hour to help us get them fixed. If we can find a way there, they said they'd fix them all for free, but none of their volunteers are willing to drive an hour here, an hour back, do the fixing, then at the end of the day drive the hour back to our town and an hour back to their home. I understand. It's 4 hours out of their day. 

I wish things were different. I hope I get a job soon. At least our church is paying our electricity this month; that is some relief but not much in the long run.