Caretaker in Allentown vicinity PA needs help

martha anne

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This caretaker I was referred to on-line has 6 ferals and yes, she has done Go Fund me and You Caring but she still doesn't have enough money for the extensive and chronic illnesses of 6 ferals.  4 have some kind of skin disease and she has never taken them to the vet or for neutering.  She says she barely has $$ for gas.  I have seen she raised $560 for the cat with stomatiis and the cat with no rear hips but this is a drop in the bucket.  To whom can she turn for help.  I feel she is out of her element, not experienced, a good person but really overwhelmed.  Any suggestions for who can help?  Thanks.
 

mani

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Martha Anne, sometimes people have to know their limitations.  There are so many cats out there needing help and turning a blind eye is almost impossible, but we can literally only do what we can do.  If she cannot do TNR then she is really not serving these cats as they will keep breeding, and so the cycle goes.

I'm not in the US so I can't give more practical information.  So sorry.
 
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martha anne

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No, I didn't say she will not TNR.  She has no money.  She cannot even afford carriers she says and yet she is trying to find help to get them and to get enough money to do the neutering.  I commend her. Please don't read into what I am saying.  I am an experienced rescuer and TNR person myself and she is doing what is right.  She knows her limits - but she intends to find help and money so she can help these poor cats and get them all neutered AND vet care.

I was not asking for TNR advice.  I have had many contacts with the woman.  I was only asking for help from a rescue near her and that is it.  Nothing more. 
 

mani

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Martha Anne, I didn't say 'will not do TNR', but 'cannot do TNR'. 

But your last post made it quite clear what you are looking for.  I'll see if some of our American members in the area can help.
 

ritz

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This is a tough situation.
She and you have probably researched all the normal places to get TNR at low cost but for those people who haven't TNRd: low cost spay/neuter clinics, county/state programs (she no doubt qualifies for free or very low cost s/n as someone with low income). Alley Cat Allies and Best Friends might be another resource. How about the vet she took the sick cats to; he might cut her a break or know of vets who will/can.
I know she has no money; could she find a food bank that will give her cat food so instead of paying for cat food, she can use the money to TNR.
 

stephenq

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She can also go to petfinder.com and search for local rescue groups in her area. This is a bad time of the year however, kitten season, and many groups are over run right now.
 

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Is there a vet school in your area? Perhaps there's some student organization that could help you out. Worth a try, anyways.
 
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martha anne

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OK, thanks very much, Mari, and every single person who has replied.  Why don't I list the issues and then I  will actually post her Facebook site which is not just about a handicapped named Trooper but also about her entire set-up, so to speak.

This caretaker I consider to be relatively inexperienced re: medical issues and was to have one cat euthanized because she was told by a vet that another of her ferals, Bandit, aged 2, had calici ulcers in her mouth that were incurable (basically - I am summarizing). I urged her not to do that, as I have experience with calici and she saw another vet only to learn that it is stomatitis!  So, the cat's life was saved but she has no money!  For Bandit, for Trooper and for the other 4 ferals whom she describes as having "caught a skin disease from one another".  (I suspect it is flea allergy because Trooper was treated for this and flea-caused anemia.)  This rescuer has no time do research helpful organizations except, she says, on weekend!  Meanwhile, she has a passle of cats who need $$ and care asap and I have sent her the following: Lists of names and contacts of Feral Friends Network volunteers (I once was one) of Alley Cat Allies, important national and even NYC cat advocacy organizations (yes, they would advise at least by phone), my friend in England showed her how to set up Go Fund me and You Caring ($560 raised, but she is already out of money as the cats need so much care), and I also sent lists of local Pennsylvania organizations and told her, yes, how to do a local rescue search via Petfinder.  I have done ALL of this before I ever posted here..  I am experienced at working as a volunteer resource person but I now need someone to help this person, someone local, someone with money for gas, with carriers (she has one only), and who can provide experienced guidance.  ha ha don't expect all that to happen, but I am reaching out to all on the cats' behalf anyway.   I know she is not going to be able to do this alone.

Go, now, if you wish, to the sight about Trooper, Bandit and the 4 other cats:   https://www.facebook.com/TrooperTheKitten
 
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martha anne

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No vet school nearby.  Quite rural area, also.
 
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martha anne

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Yes, it is a tough situation. She needs, really, a few thousand dollars to care for Trooper, alone.  He was born with no hips and no front leg middle joints!  His neuter alone is going to be complex, they said.   but he requires constant medical care.   Look at "Trooper the Handicapped Cat" on FB to see all about him and the other cats.
 

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@Martha Anne, did your friend contact No Nonsense Neutering (www.nnnlv.org)? It is a resource/clinic based in Allentown, PA that supports TNR. Go to their "TNR" section on the website. It costs $35 per feral and includes rabies vaccine and ear tip required. Loaner traps are available for two weeks for $25 refundable cash (they don't want someone walking off with their equipment). Many organizations who support TNR will lend traps.

Here are a some other resources for low cost spay/neuter for ferals in the Allentown, PA vicinity:

Forgotten Felines & Fidos, Germansville, PA

http://www.forgottenfelines.org/trap-neuter-release_81.html

Spays: $30 per cat, Neuters: $20 per cat (includes rabies and distemper vaccines; ear tip required)

The Center for Animal Health & Welfare, Easton, PA

http://www.spcanorthampton.org/clinic.asp

Peaceable Kingdom, Whitehall, PA

http://www.lvpeaceablekingdom.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=27

Easter PA Animal Alliance, Brodheadsville, PA

http://www.epaaonline.com/

$35 per feral (includes rabies vaccine and ear tip required)

PAWSibilities Animal Rescue, Harleysville, PA

http://www.pawsibilitiesrescue.org/tnr-trap-neuter-release/

$85 per cat (includes rabies and distemper vaccine)

The Cat Shack, Trexlertown, PA

http://thecatshack.rescuegroups.org/ (scroll down to bottom of page to see note about spay/neuter)

The following clinics/organizations have low cost spay/neuter programs, but do not specify whether or not they handle ferals, so your friend would have to contact them and find out.

Animals in Distress, Coopersburg, PA

http://www.animalsindistress-pa.org/spay_neuter2.php

West Valley Animal Hospital, Allentown, PA

http://westvalleyanimalhospital.com/surgery/ (scroll down to low cost spay/neuter section)

Christmas City Veterinary Hospital, Bethlehem, PA

http://www.christmascityvet.com/our-practice

Disclaimer: I conducted a search on your behalf and all the information contained in this post was acquired online. I have no affiliation or experience with any of these organizations. It's always a good idea to seek local feedback before proceeding.

Anyway, I would advise that your friend also ask these organizations about assistance with the other challenges she's facing while working out a TNR plan. They may have ideas or willing to give her contacts within their network. Hope this helps.
 
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martha anne

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GoHolistic,  Thank you for your comprehensive list and the information all of which I will share with you.

Re-reading my original post, it sure comes across as my looking primarily for TNR funds.  That was not my intention.  We are seeking funds for ongoing vet care which will eventually be in the thousands.   That is why I asked if people can look at Facebook "Trooper the Handicapped Kitten".  She has many, many "hits' but very few actual donors.

However, I will ask her to tell the places she contacts that she needs money.  Of course, I am always telling her that already <g>.

What she really needs is at least one live human being who can physically come to her home where she has these cats nearby.  I have done my level best to give her tons of places to call.

Of course, TNR is critically important but she also needs vet care money.    Thanks again for a very helpful post, GoHolistic!
 

goholistic

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GoHolistic,  Thank you for your comprehensive list and the information all of which I will share with you.

Re-reading my original post, it sure comes across as my looking primarily for TNR funds.  That was not my intention.  We are seeking funds for ongoing vet care which will eventually be in the thousands.   That is why I asked if people can look at Facebook "Trooper the Handicapped Kitten".  She has many, many "hits' but very few actual donors.

However, I will ask her to tell the places she contacts that she needs money.  Of course, I am always telling her that already <g>.

What she really needs is at least one live human being who can physically come to her home where she has these cats nearby.  I have done my level best to give her tons of places to call.

Of course, TNR is critically important but she also needs vet care money.    Thanks again for a very helpful post, GoHolistic!
You're welcome, and I understand.  
  I suppose many of us focused on the TNR aspect so that this person does not end up with more cats, since she's already having trouble with the existing six. The problem is most organizations probably aren't going to give her money. They are pretty serious about TNR and see it as a priority. If she's in contact with some of these places about her colony and shows she wants and is willing to control the population with TNR , they may help her out in other ways regarding their special needs with additional tests, exams, and possibly medications. But the likelihood of them wanting to help out with other issues if they haven't even been spayed/neutered yet is probably slim. 
  I could be totally wrong.

When I lived with my parents, we cared for a colony of about six, as well. We worked with an organization called Forgotten Cats. There was one woman who worked with us, came to our house, brought traps, set them up, picked them up, got them spayed/neutered, and brought them back. She did all the work!
 
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martha anne

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I fear I have given you the wrong impression.  She is every bit as committed to TNR as you and I are.  She is also a caretaker.  Her issue is money for vet care. She just wrote to me that she uses, happily, Easter PA Animal Alliance.    

My request (sorry for the dark letters, typo) is for advice on medical care $$.  

They cannot afford to help her.

Many thanks!
 

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Martha, thank you so much for trying to help this woman and her cats. I don't have any advice or suggestions to offer but wanted to send vibes for the cats. I know first hand how very expensive caring for feral cats can be as do most of us who rescue/trap and TNR feral cats. My only thought is to find a vet through a TNR organization who is willing to do vet care at cost or even pro-bono. I had one back in IL who was amazing. I had to be approved through the rescue/TNR group first to verify that I was legit and honest because unfortunately there were many who were trying to take advantage of this vet's compassion for feral cats and those who are caretakers. All my best in finding financial assistance for this caretaker. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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martha anne

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Thanks.   If there was a vet who would do it free or very very cheap, trust me, she would have used them by now.  No, there is not.  This is the whole problem.

However, I just heard from her and she is so broke that she is NOT TNR'ing them now and I thought she was.  I am very frustrated.  Have given her the Alley Cat Allies list of many Feral Friends Network volunteers (I was one) to contact.  I want her to contact them. 

I am powerless. I am hours and 2 states away from her.

She has to work and so I am not being critical of her.  She is doing her level best.  It is easy to criticize others (you are not, nor has anyone here done that!) but usually we know that people are very overwhelmed with too much for one person.  Hence, I am trying to help her.

I will remain in touch with her.  She is a very good person.
 

feralvr

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However, I just heard from her and she is so broke that she is NOT TNR'ing them now and I thought she was.  I am very frustrated.  Have given her the Alley Cat Allies list of many Feral Friends Network volunteers (I was one) to contact.  I want her to contact them. 
Sounds like you are going above and beyond to help her. :hugs: :hugs: See if you can send her the list of places above posted by GoHolistic. Hopefully she will take the initiative and make these calls on her own and get help. Many of these organizations will do much to help someone in her position. We all know how easy it is to get overloaded and overwhelmed with feral cats when they are not altered. Too many leads to many being sick as well. A circle of suffering that never ends and I hope that she can get the help she needs for these cats. :cross: It does take work, time and effort to get started, make calls and get the ball rolling. This woman has good intentions and is definitely trying to do her best for the cats. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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martha anne

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I later realized that the list the Goholistic sent/posted is the same one that I gave to the woman 2 weeks ago.  What I do now is try not to harrass her and so I send occasional brief questions of how it is going and she does reply when she can.  She works, is always trying to pay her rent, etc.  So that last thing she needs is me being too pushy, yet she is polite enough to respond and I was thrilled that she wrote back that she contacted by e-mail (sent messages asking for help) to the first 5 references in her area that I gave to her, courtesy of the Feral Friends Network that we all know about at Alley Cat Allies (I was once a volunteer, no time now).

I will keep up with her.  I know she appreciates it and there are others who also try to do the same, I think.  Again, see her cats on Facebook's page "Trooper the Handicapped Kitten".

Yes, indeed helping feral cats and kittens is a truly bottomless pit of work!!
 

jodiethierry64

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I later realized that the list the Goholistic sent/posted is the same one that I gave to the woman 2 weeks ago.  What I do now is try not to harrass her and so I send occasional brief questions of how it is going and she does reply when she can.  She works, is always trying to pay her rent, etc.  So that last thing she needs is me being too pushy, yet she is polite enough to respond and I was thrilled that she wrote back that she contacted by e-mail (sent messages asking for help) to the first 5 references in her area that I gave to her, courtesy of the Feral Friends Network that we all know about at Alley Cat Allies (I was once a volunteer, no time now).

I will keep up with her.  I know she appreciates it and there are others who also try to do the same, I think.  Again, see her cats on Facebook's page "Trooper the Handicapped Kitten".

Yes, indeed helping feral cats and kittens is a truly bottomless pit of work!!
Hi Martha,
I just shared Troopers story with 200 of my F.B. cat loving friends. I pray they help. I can't as I'm already paying a 1000 dollar vet bill for a F.B. friend. Please let me no if it's working!!!!
God bless you for helping your friend!!!
 
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