Running up against a wall with TNR (Southwestern PA specific).

I'm kind of desperate here, guys.  I'm not only having trouble trapping the mother cat (of four kittens I'm caring for currently), I have no idea what I'm going to do with her, along with the other ferals in this small colony, post-surgery.  The basement is an occupied apartment and this is a small, garage-less house: there simply isn't any place to keep a recuperating feral cat.  The local rescue that usually does TNRs is extremely short-handed and is going to be of very limited assistance.  One volunteer has offered to keep a cat for three days following surgery- which is the minimum number of days the rescue believes is necessary for post-surgery observation of a female, and I kind of have to agree with them since I've seen, first-hand, what sorts of complications can arise- for monetary compensation.  

Does *anyone* know of a person(s) interested in feral rescue in the southwestern portion of PA (you can PM me for further details) who would have the facilities and time to help care for at least a couple of post-operative ferals.  Or does anyone know of a rescue near Pittsburgh, or south of the city, that I can contact for help?  Pet Search is the one I've been in contact with, so they're not an option.

Ferales and semiferales are made of tough wood.  They must be, otherwise they wouldnt be here, they would perish long ago.  thus, they have healing meat well above average, compared with your average home family girl.

Also the vet should know about the situation, so they lay the incision on the flank, and use self dissolving stiches.

Thus, three days recovalescense is usually plenty enough, unless they get some extraordinary complications.

   If desperate enough, a  24 hours may be enough.   This is done sometimes if they have small kittens, and you dont know where...

So this guy who promises 3 days is OK.

Otherwise, such a cat doesnt need no fancy apartment.

Most rescuers have them in their bathroom.   Or you can have them in a dog sized cage.    And this cage you can have almost anywhere, no?

So place for recuperation  is seldom any impossible problem.   Unlucky complications may be a problem, but in the normal bread and butter spayings,  you can manage with quite small resources too, if your heart is big enough.

"Where is place in the heart, theere is place  for the behind (to sit))  as the swedish proverb says.

Good luck!

ps.    Some links to get hold on cheap spaying clinics.  Many of them will surely also help cheaply with standard veterinary treatment.

cheap  spaying:
If you are in the U.S. ,  the ASPCA has an online database.  http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter

 Or here is a hotline number that will find you a low cost clinic in your area  1-800-248-7729   

www.spayusa.org

StefanZ said:

 
Ferales and semiferales are made of tough wood.  They must be, otherwise they wouldnt be here, they would perish long ago.  thus, they have healing meat well above average, compared with your average home family girl.

Also the vet should know about the situation, so they lay the incision on the flank, and use self dissolving stiches.

Thus, three days recovalescense is usually plenty enough, unless they get some extraordinary complications.

   If desperate enough, a  24 hours may be enough.   This is done sometimes if they have small kittens, and you dont know where...

So this guy who promises 3 days is OK.

Otherwise, such a cat doesnt need no fancy apartment.

Most rescuers have them in their bathroom.   Or you can have them in a dog sized cage.    And this cage you can have almost anywhere, no?

So place for recuperation  is seldom any impossible problem.   Unlucky complications may be a problem, but in the normal bread and butter spayings,  you can manage with quite small resources too, if your heart is big enough.

"Where is place in the heart, theere is place  for the behind (to sit))  as the swedish proverb says.

Good luck!

ps.    Some links to get hold on cheap spaying clinics.  Many of them will surely also help cheaply with standard veterinary treatment.

cheap  spaying:
If you are in the U.S. ,  the ASPCA has an online database.  http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter

 Or here is a hotline number that will find you a low cost clinic in your area  1-800-248-7729   

www.spayusa.org

Click to expand...

Thanks for the links     The more info and contacts, the merrier!

I have one teeny-tiny bathroom that's just big enough for one person to turn around in, so that's just not an option.  I've already occupied the office/spare room with a litter of kittens, so that's out.  I don't have access to a dog crate and I've already spent major coin on feral kitten rescue, care & vet bills.  I haven't got a cent left over for a dog kennel...that I wouldn't be able to put "anywhere" because, like I said, it's a small house, and I have two resident cats, one of whom has a weakened immune system and can't be around potentially ill animals.  There's no way for me to prevent that or I would've already thought of it, believe me.  I can't put a cat outside because the temperatures are soaring in this part of the country, and I can't in good conscience expose a convalescing cat to extreme heat.  Their metabolism doesn't function normally post-surgery and they can quickly go into crisis mode if it's too cold or hot.  

I appreciate the well-intentioned response, but, honestly, when I say I have no space I'm not exaggerating.  I look forward to having more space someday, and then I can get serious about cat rescue and assist local rescues with TNR stuff.  I would relish the opportunity.  Today I've got to work with a laundry list of restrictions and I'm doing the best I can.  And hoping I can find someone local to help out.  Then maybe someday, before long, I can help others in my situation, or offer my time and space to a rescue org.  

Thanks again for the links!

P.S.  I just spent over $300 on diagnosis and treatment for my weak immune system kitty, who's got a lung infection that may or may not have been a result of something the kittens brought with them.  Though they're in a separate room, I haven't held them yet, and I always thoroughly wash my hands after leaving their room   

I volunteer for Homeless Cat Management Team in Pittsburgh, PA and we TNR ferals. Email PM me.