Anyone here with experience in a "cat house" or house full of cats, especially 100+?

This is where I'm coming from.  I've only begun to do any kind of outreach, if you can call it that.  I am in a situation where I volunteer almost daily and things have not gotten too much better over time, and really just worse.  I guess I'd like to hear some opinions.  I don't want to be too specific as to protect myself and the owners (they may know people on here), but it's basically a situation, which I'm sure is common, where people become overwhelmed.  Most of the cats are fixed, but they had/have fallen behind on certain cats, and multiple litters have come about with their own concerns (FLV, FIV, any number of things) that just put the cherry on top of the stress bomb.  It's a situation where the head has had connections with organizations/local groups in the past and did good work and even has a thumbs up of the local Humane Society.  The issues run deep, though, and it seems luck is always running out but things still manage, which I am beginning to think is the overall problem.  I don't think it's good for anybody a lot of the times.  The "head" is a personality, somewhat of an gentle tyrant.  Stress is the key word here.  People see things differently and always have quarrels, but this person is just in over her head and needs help.  It's something that is difficult to sustain but can be because there is just enough money rolling in.  There have been ups and downs but I'm just starting to think I need to help find a solution for them.  Yes, the house is neat and in order, but could be much better.  There aren't bags of pee on top of cat carcasses and it's not as horrible looking as Kaboodle Ranch footage, but you do see some signs of desperation.  Like I said, the kittens are the cherry on top of the **** bomb.  They are a sign of the infinity of the problem.  You see the cats die of this or that, you get used to it.  But you see the kittens, and yes the issue of fixing cats has been mainly resolved, there seems to lie a dark cloud that you just learn to ignore.  It's hard to keep going when you realize that there are so many resources that aren't being tapped and that things don't have to be this way, but being a socially anxious and held back person does not help.  I feel like I should be doing something but I'm not sure what.  

Does the lady in question use foster homes?  Perhaps you can volunteer to be one, take one litter at a time and get everyone fixed.  You might also recruit one or two discreet friends to do the same.

If not, can you sponsor a litter?  You would be the one to take them to the vets/clinic.  Not necessarily pay for things - it doesn't sound like money is the issue overwhelming this lady.  Or is it?  If so, maybe you can volunteer to pay for one litter to be fixed.

Also, if you have other contacts in your rescue circle, perhaps a discreet word or two to someone you trust would help spread the word that she's overwhelmed.  We all get overwhelmed at times - there's nothing wrong with that.  It's admitting your overwhelmed that seems to be the issue here.

Perhaps they can help with adoptions, too,  The kittens, especially have a change at finding good homes.

In any case, thank you for trying to help.  The cats will certainly be better off!.

I agree with Ondine in that I would help to find foster families for the kittens, all of them, so that they will be neutered once they are over two pounds. The bottom line is that ALL of the cats need to be altered or the litter of kittens will continue. Maybe it would be best to offer to get all of the adults neutered. Gentle tyrant or not, they are defeating the purpose of being a "rescue" by NOT altering all cats that come in the door thus adding more and more unwanted cats. So sad, really. But they should not be falling behind on this. It is honorable that you are trying to help.

I've never worked with a situation like that. . .but I do have 24 cats myself, indoors. So I guess I do have some experience managing a pack o' cats. Yes, the biggest thing is that every single cat over 12 weeks of age must be fixed. Perhaps you can offer to identify and sequester the intact cats until they're altered? It could be that they're losing track of which cats are done and which aren't, or can't find a particular cat on his/her surgery date, or whatever.

Are you helping with cleaning? If so, one thing that could help is, besides the usual daily maintenance, pick one room a week to thoroughly clean (remove all small furnishings, mop/vacuum, scrub, disinfect, etc.). This can really make a difference, and shouldn't take more than a couple of extra hours (well, the first time could be a doozy, but after that).

Of course I'm sure there are differences of opinion among those trying to help, but in a situation like that, I would probably put down any kitty that needs medical care beyond a quick round of antibiotics . Especially if they're FeLV positive---they just aren't going to get better, and more attention needs to be put on the healthy cats; they just don't have the time and resources for a cat that needs extensive medical help.

Willowy said:

Of course I'm sure there are differences of opinion among those trying to help, but in a situation like that, I would probably put down any kitty that needs medical care beyond a quick round of antibiotics . Especially if they're FeLV positive---they just aren't going to get better,.

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Was coming back to this thread tonight to add the exact words as Willowy above whom beat me to it! I absolutely agree 100% and would sadly euthanize the FeLK+ cats right away. They will not get better and will only suffer needlessly. The conditions they are already living in are extremely stressful and overcrowded thus adding more strain on the immune system to fight this deadly disease. I would urge this lady to follow through with this tough decision, but, IMO, at this point, the right one.

I'll try to respond to as much as I can.

Foster homes? No. This is what I guess what she would like to call a "sanctuary" of sorts. At least that must have been the mindset in the main acquiring stage (I wasn't there then.. this all came to be before I was ever around). She has expressed interest in becoming a non-profit, but if you were there day to day you'd understand how things move so slowly and why things haven't been done. Why are the cats not adopted out? My answer would be "I don't really know" for the most part, but I do know that she is not about having people just coming on in and looking around (although the occasional friendly passerby does sometimes end up in the house, much to my surprise), which I think would obviously be ideal if you wanted to get rid of some cats. Some little tidbits that I guess might help are, 1) there have been external property code violations in the past, particularly with the paint, 2) it's in a historical district where people pay more attention to homes than usual and there is even a blog where people whine in comment sections about how bad properties look (this one barely ever showed up except for one small comment), 3) people have called the township to complain about the general condition of the property and it's often been false accusations. I wonder if this is because the whole operation is so private. It's obvious something is going on. I'm not sure people really know how big it actually is. In the setting that it's in, not telling everyone what you're doing is really curious and suspicious. Some people are a-holes, I definitely think so, and the town harbors some people that are of the small town middle class elitist sect that just want everything to look nice It's kind of hard to be private, though. People are constantly walking, biking and driving by. That said, the neighbors are mainly great. Sometimes I wonder if that's part of the problem. Nobody knows what to do. They are so drawn in and accepting, or at least tolerating, and they have either given everything they can, accepted it as much as they can with some requests but remained friends, or tolerated it with hidden resentment, and now it's just kind of a floating thing. Long, empty paragraph, sorry...

I cannot sponsor a litter. I don't have that kind of space. I have few friends. I don't go out much anymore, and I am socially not that cool. I used to go out, hang out in a local music scene, know people, etc. I'm not even really on Facebook and refuse to be, so me finding people is kind of difficult. Even the people I know probably don't want any kittens. There are other rescue groups here that she was connected to in the past. I think at a certain point it became more enclosed. She always has said she is done with taking in anymore, and generally hasn't taken in too many recently. I guess I finally believe it now.

Money? No. There is none. It's all dried up. I feel like I shouldn't go on too much because I'm so paranoid someone she knows is going to print out this page and give it to her. Anyway, these are people that worked, retired earlier than most retired people I know of and seemingly dedicated themselves to the cats. I guess it got kind of heavy at some point but maybe it was okay with them. Somewhere around 2-3 years ago I showed up and was being paid but now I work for free because they can't afford it anymore. Another guy does the brunt of the work for a low wage probably 8-10 hours a day. Of course, her sister, whom I love to death, is the other one involved. The problem here is that I am friends with them and think they are good people, but I just think they need help. We have the case of someone who is more observant, direct, most likely OCD, and another person that has an equal heart about it but of course she gets all of the whipping (as does the guy who does all of the other work). It's just not a good dynamic and it doesn't have to be this way. The money is mainly on the "other one". It all goes to paying him, getting food for themselves, obviously for cat food and litter and vet visits (vet clinic is another paragraph... let's just say it's one giant bill that I guess gets paid incrementally and I guess they've been bailed out on? I think they almost lost their ability to keep going there).

Cats getting fixed. Have to go to bed... Okay.. Something happened at the ASPCA with someone they knew/knew of. Something they exposed about an employee? Not sure. Anyway, long story short, they can't go there to have cats fixed? Why? Not now. I brought a group there under another name once and I guess it was done discounted/for free. Now they rely on a vet friend to come over and fix the males in the house. He is moving soon so that will end...

to be continued.

Trachycarpus said:

The problem here is that I am friends with them and think they are good people, but I just think they need help..

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I am sure they are, but even good people can get way in over their head with cat rescuing, and then IMO, they are not so good anymore especially IF they are not doing something to stop the breeding and some of the cats have FeLK. Someone sadly needs to be on the side, and only on the side of the cats, not the people running the place. This is all too frustrating for me to even think about, I can only imagine what you are dealing with. I would not stop until I could find a resolution leading to the "rescue" of those cats, whom I think need rescuing. I feel so sorry for all of the kittens being born into this awful place. for those babies. :shame:

Really not a good scene to be so short on cash and still so many not fixed.  And adding in the vet friend will no longer be around to neuter I think this is going to end badly if something can not be done.

Maybe placing one for adoptiong within a petsmart adoption center or something can be done where the cat is shown not in the house but in neutral location.

I have 29 cats at moment(well 27 in house and 2 outside cats but that fluctuates as I TNR)  All mine are fixed and any kittens born here were born to a already pregnant mom cat I took in. 

I am concerned about just how many have died though at this place.  I know with higher numbers and limited treatment options euthanizing is more sought after but are they being euthanized or allowed to die on own?  Are they in pain where a simple shot could help them pass much easier.  I am euthing a cat about 1-2 times a year.  If a simple treatment is not available, they are in pain or basic testing does not offer a answer then that is the route we go.  It sucks but they are not fading off in a corner.

Look to see if there are any other clinics in your area by web search/phone book.  Maybe one is kind of far but worth it cost wise if you can take multiples.  I have driven pretty far but was able to save about 30 per neuter so it was well well worth it.

God I see myself heading here, bit with covid and inflation.. the local pound (which I would not do) or the spca are not taking in animals. Especially cats. I cherish my babies and am drowning financially. To be specific I had also an organ transplant and if I work I lose my disability status and with it would go my Medicare part D coverage.. leaving me with over 4k per month in medication I have to take the rest of my life to not go back into rejection. My point is I cannot work. But iive for these cats. They are my pure joy in life. I am divorced, 38, with no children. Perfectly happy with living out my days being the town crazy old cat lady.. but I am overwhelmed and the litters just keep coming. It terrifies me.. and I've been through a lot and still use that strong a word.. yes it terrifies me the thought of my love slipping into the realm of abuse. Winning the lottery and hiring help seems like the only way of hope to solution and we all know how likely that is..

With all due respect and appreciation for the concern, please save the danger to my immune health to have a cat clowder sharing my home and property comments. I don't how to be anymore clear that to just say it plainly: I'd literally die for my cats as most people would their human children. My special little family of (I think of them more like friends or roommate type family) are my heart song and I love them all and a great majority of them are more special and important to me over anything else on this earth save most of my nieces and nephews- that are on the same bar with my clowder. And with impunity. Anyone who knows the first thing about me knows i will and would do anything for their benefit and to keep them out of harm's way.. The only exception is if it took me away from caring for the others. My life has been over taken by taken by their care, though. Overwhelmed passed by like a year ago at 12 cats.. but it is starting to admittedly slip through my hands of being in control. They are all so special: unusually sweet and such personalities are the 2 comments I get from people exposed to them for any time length at all. I will not have them caged until they lose their minds and get put down or be made to feel that they arent loved and mine would- they would be hurt and wander off to be those cats that disappear in oblivion and know one knows what happens to them if they were placed with other humans who didn't respect and love them at least with some semblance of the way I do. It's a rock and a hard place.. but my babies are my rock in life so the hard place is just going to have to get figured out. Any constructive ideas or advice is very welcomed...

First things first. Contact rescues and see if they can help you with spay/neutering. Not shelters, rescues. That's where you start.If you let me know, generally, where you are, I'll be happy to help you search.

Mamanyt1953 said:

First things first. Contact rescues and see if they can help you with spay/neutering. Not shelters, rescues. That's where you start. If you let me know, generally, where you are, I'll be happy to help you search.

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I will help too if I can!

I would also propose, if you have the NextDoor Neighbor web site available to you, to reach out to the surrounding neighborhoods for folks who currently work with rescue groups. They may be able to offer some assistance/guidance as well.

Meganms401 said:

My special little family of (I think of them more like friends or roommate type family) are my heart song and I love them all and a great majority of them are more special and important to me over anything else on this earth save most of my nieces and nephews- that are on the same bar with my clowder. And with impunity. Anyone who knows the first thing about me knows i will and would do anything for their benefit and to keep them out of harm's way.. The only exception is if it took me away from caring for the others. My life has been over taken by taken by their care, though. Overwhelmed passed by like a year ago at 12 cats.. but it is starting to admittedly slip through my hands of being in control..... and know one knows what happens to them if they were placed with other humans who didn't respect and love them at least with some semblance of the way I do. It's a rock and a hard place.. but my babies are my rock in life so the hard place is just going to have to get figured out. Any constructive ideas or advice is very welcomed...

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I think it's a very difficult situation to be in. Family entered that situation because we kept getting drop offs.

The first thing is to remember that you can't keep helping cats to the best of your ability if you are overwhelmed.

Each one is special and unique and finding them a home where their personalities can thrive can be so rewarding. You could meet with people via Zoom and ask for vet, personal and professional references. You could make a group for them to join and share photos as they age etc.

Having them live in a colony situation comes with a lot of risk, especially of disease. Or, knock on wood, something were to happen to you they likely end up at the local SPCA because of the large group situation. Family can often take in small groups during an emergency, but not in large colony situations.

If YOU choose where they go, you decide who stays as bonded pairs, gets homes together and to what type of home. You keep your main babies and know that the others that come in are kept safe.

A local rescue might be willing to help pre-screen applicants for you to take some of the work off.

Lastly, long-term many cats get stress related illnesses and don't live as long if their owner can't manage those illnesses long term. If you're already overwhelmed, it will be hard to help your cats age gracefully once a long term illness pops up.

You're doing yourself a disservice and the cats if you are at the point of burn-out. Eventually that will mean you can't help more. I can tell how much you care from how you write. You seem like you used to enjoy rescue. It's okay to let yourself trust others again. When you reach out for help to start to get down to a manageable level for yourself, I hope you will enjoy it again.

I really hope this person has gotten help as no doubt there is a mental issue happening here.

If a rescue is unwilling to adopt out animals it becomes a hording situation. I know nobody wants to think they are a horder but a true rescue will adopt out animals and have a website showcasing the animals available for adoption.

They actually encourage people to come and visit the location and may hold adoption events.

From what I'm reading, this isn't happening, when you have intake but no adoption it becomes a hording situation. Please try and find this woman some mental help. Hoarding disorder is a medical condition and needs to be treated with psychotherapy.

It will just continue to get worse until the house is condemned. Reading this is from 2013, I really hope she has gotten some psychotherapy for this.