Lack of humane options for stray cats minor vent

crazy4strays · Nov 9, 2015

My neighbors have a stray cat that has taken up residence around their house. It's now that I really realize how few options there are for stray cats. The cat is not truly feral, so TNR isn't really the best solution. We have an Animal Control that reportedly doesn't bother with cats much, a Humane Society that is probably full and will probably refuse us. (Nonetheless, I will call them this morning and see if they can help)

Animal Aid, who I foster with, has complained that they lose money on the cats that they take in, so who knows if they could vet the cat and get him to a foster. I know, from talking to my foster coordinator, there are very few cat foster homes. Most are dog fosters.

People like us are already full to the brim caring for cats abandoned or neglected by other cruel humans and cannot take in another one. (We have 2 permanent residents and 1 foster in a very small house) My neighbors don't want to take it in and if someone doesn't want a cat to begin with, they shouldn't be pushed to take one in.

My husband doesn't want me handling the cat much until he's gotten medical attention (i.e. rabies vaccination) which is understandable, but we're can't afford to vet another cat.

Not at all surprisingly, the cat is male and very visibly NOT neutered, so I know that if he's left out there, he can father up to 2,000 kittens. I texted my foster coordinator and she said that we can at least arrange to have him neutered through our local BARC program and then we'll see where to go from there.

And as a foster home, I see how SLOWLY cats are adopted to begin with. *sighs*

This is one time where I feel truly angry at the over population mess that neglectful humans have gotten us into. I help where I can (i.e. having two rescued permanent residents and fostering) but I don't have the resources to personally help all strays that come through the area.

I wish that cats had never turned into a never ending commodity through people irresponsibly allowing unaltered pets to roam loose and callously abandoning their pets.

jiminyhcricket3 · Nov 9, 2015

I can imagine how frustrating that must be for you. I work for a non-profit organization and for some reason the building we work out of has become stray cat central. Earlier this year a female cat adopted us and became pregnant and had EIGHT babies. I took 2 of them and some customers/family members took most of the other kittens. Unfortunately, there is still one baby left that no one seems to want, which breaks my heart and I wish I had room to take him. We have been keeping the mama at work but weren't really planning to keep one of her babies too. Then last week out of the blue some other random (and sickly) kitten showed up in the building and was obviously starving (for food and attention). Fortunately one of our customers came in and took him home to hopefully nurse him back to health.

Then on top of all these cats showing up, one of my friends had one show up around her house. Whoever had this cat had her declawed, which makes me sick to begin with, but then they just dump her off? I don't understand how people can be so callus. Unfortunately, my friend is allergic and can't take her in so we've been trying to find someplace to take her and all of the rescues I've called are full. The only other option I've been able to find at this point is the humane society and I hate to do that to her but I guess it could be better than her being stuck outside in the cold all the time.

I'm getting so frustrated just thinking about it.

dandila · Nov 9, 2015

I agree with everything you said. I live in a medium sized city and although we've made great strides in the last couple of decades there still is a long road ahead for societies castaways. This includes homeless humans.

One thing that struck me as I was reading your post was something that could be done for this poor cat. Neutering is priority one. Once neutered his number one priority is to have some food and shelter. Maybe you cannot provide him a real home but you could help him by providing him with a tote shelter and maybe you and your neighbor could split the cost of daily kibble.

I recently had to make a missing cat flier to distribute in my neighborhood. The thought of making it and walking my little 50 house community seemed like a real chore before I actually did it. But I have a missing cat that I love so I did it and it was so easy. It only took about 40 minutes to walk around and put in my neighbors boxes. It was 50 chances that someone may have seen her and would have my phone number.

What I'm getting at is maybe you could pseudo foster this cat by seeing to it that he's neutered, sheltered, and fed until you could find a neighbor that would take this neglected animal in as their pet. You could make a flier educating people about throwaway cats and how many cats 1 virile cat can sire and explain your situation just as you did in the above post. It was extremely well written...you are a great communicator.

What do you think?

kittens mom · Nov 9, 2015

Crazy4Strays said:
My neighbors have a stray cat that has taken up residence around their house. It's now that I really realize how few options there are for stray cats. The cat is not truly feral, so TNR isn't really the best solution. We have an Animal Control that reportedly doesn't bother with cats much, a Humane Society that is probably full and will probably refuse us. (Nonetheless, I will call them this morning and see if they can help)

Animal Aid, who I foster with, has complained that they lose money on the cats that they take in, so who knows if they could vet the cat and get him to a foster. I know, from talking to my foster coordinator, there are very few cat foster homes. Most are dog fosters.

People like us are already full to the brim caring for cats abandoned or neglected by other cruel humans and cannot take in another one. (We have 2 permanent residents and 1 foster in a very small house) My neighbors don't want to take it in and if someone doesn't want a cat to begin with, they shouldn't be pushed to take one in.

My husband doesn't want me handling the cat much until he's gotten medical attention (i.e. rabies vaccination) which is understandable, but we're can't afford to vet another cat.

Not at all surprisingly, the cat is male and very visibly NOT neutered, so I know that if he's left out there, he can father up to 2,000 kittens. I texted my foster coordinator and she said that we can at least arrange to have him neutered through our local BARC program and then we'll see where to go from there.

And as a foster home, I see how SLOWLY cats are adopted to begin with. *sighs*

This is one time where I feel truly angry at the over population mess that neglectful humans have gotten us into. I help where I can (i.e. having two rescued permanent residents and fostering) but I don't have the resources to personally help all strays that come through the area.

I wish that cats had never turned into a never ending commodity through people irresponsibly allowing unaltered pets to roam loose and callously abandoning their pets.

Its becoming clear to me that the people that spay/neuter and commit to keeping the cat for a lifetime are going to do that and usually without all the fanfare. The ones like my neighbors who get a new kitten and throw the sexually mature cats out to fend for themselves and breed are going to do it even in the face of Animal Control or public pressure. They are cuddling the new kitten inside while the one they had for six months is outside looking for a scrap of food and a safe refuge.

If I had a separate heated /cooled building to foster cats I would. It's very hard and sometimes risky to mix foster cats with your resident cats in the same home.

I find the number of unaltered dogs and cats appalling in light of so many organizations shelling out at no and low cost to stop overbreeding.

City licenses to keep unaltered pets are not high enough or enforced.

One of the worst side effects of no-kill shelters is what amounts to a resident population of animals and the local dog catcher being unwilling or unable to take an animal because the shelter is overflowing.

Our local shelters run adoptions for dogs constantly. They seldom have any cats there. Considering the overpopulation of them I find that curious to say the least.

crazy4strays · Nov 9, 2015

So if I understand you correctly, KittensMom, you're saying that cruel and neglectful people will remain that way regardless of education or advocacy attempts to convince them to be responsible?

crazy4strays · Nov 9, 2015

As mentioned above, this fellow is not feral, he is a stray. He allows people to pick him up and pet him.

ondine · Nov 9, 2015

I sometimes find myself in the same mood. We had a neighbor who allowed his queen to breed - up to five litters a year! He loved the kittens but once they got to about 12 weeks, a "free kittens" sign would go up. Those who weren't taken were tossed out. Another neighbor and I found homes for more than 100 cats. I ended up adopting four and she ended up with a colony of 45 or so. All fixed, vetted and healthy. But that doesn't count the ones we buried after finding them dead on the road.

We begged him to have her fixed. He thought that was cruel. No one could convince him. The Animal Control guy even did me a favor and talked to him but he denied that the kittens were his! Frustrating does not cover it.

The only thing that changed was when his poor queen died, he kept ones of her sons AND PROMPTLY HAD HIM NEUTERED!!!!!

So I now have eight cats, four from this guy and four others who wandered into my backyard. Two of those were a neighbor's who left them behind when they moved. I'm know one was dumped in my backyard by someone who heard I liked cats! It is never ending because stupid, inhumane and cruel people are a fact of life.

All you can do is your best. Take a break when you need it, though, or you will be worn down to nothing. God bless you and all you are doing!

crazy4strays · Nov 9, 2015

Wow!!

How on earth does one manage to keep a colony of 45 cats all vetted? That is super impressive!

kittens mom · Nov 9, 2015

Crazy4Strays said:
So if I understand you correctly, KittensMom, you're saying that cruel and neglectful people will remain that way regardless of education or advocacy attempts to convince them to be responsible?

People who have total disregard for the basic rights of an animal usually have many more issues in their lives. Animal abuse is not usually a singular issue.

crazy4strays · Nov 9, 2015

It's frustrating--most truly good homes for cats are already at their cat limit due to this issue. For example, I have a friend who has an indoor cat that she had when moving to her country home, a random abandoned kitten that she kindly neutered at her own expense and kept around, and now has a feral colony to go get altered at her own expense, thanks to a feral mama who gave birth in her barn.

Why people think that folks in the country have more money to vet or feed abandoned cats is beyond me.

kittens mom · Nov 9, 2015

Crazy4Strays said:
It's frustrating--most truly good homes for cats are already at their cat limit due to this issue. For example, I have a friend who has an indoor cat that she had when moving to her country home, a random abandoned kitten that she kindly neutered at her own expense and kept around, and now has a feral colony to go get altered at her own expense, thanks to a feral mama who gave birth in her barn.

Why people think that folks in the country have more money to vet or feed abandoned cats is beyond me.

We live on a corner in a rural area. Enough said.

I can't take strange cats INTO my house. If you feed the strays they breed. If you don't you get to watch them stave. Animal control will bend time and space to capture a dog here and take care of it but treat cats like vermin.

Fines that are supposed to be enacted are suspended because the animal abuser or dumper is poor. The shelter will then adopt them another pet at a reduced fee. You just hold onto your own higher ground and do the best you can.

crazy4strays · Nov 9, 2015

I completely agree. I can't just bring random stray cats into my house either.

Before I allow any foster cats to stay in my home, I ask for proof of rabies vaccination and glance over their vet records. The rescue also provides Revolution treatments, as needed.

dandila · Nov 9, 2015

So it is surprising he would have a male neutered but not his female? Huh? Do you think you finally got through to him or did he simply find undone male cat habits distasteful?

Education is a key component to any advocacy. Since I used to own a pet grooming shop I know that people are simply ignorant about animal behavior. They attach all sorts of human thoughts and characteristics to their pets and are oblivious their best friends are animals driven by instinct. One example of ignorance, and I know it is hard to believe, but I had a lady bring me a male dog to groom...matted to the bone and she had given it a female name and insisted to me that the dog was female. When we have people like this owning and trying to care for animals what can we expect? I educated this poor lady about male and female genitalia and I think I got through to her. Never saw her again, though.

Ondine, I am humbled by your efforts. Truly humbled.

ondine · Nov 9, 2015

Dandila said:
So it is surprising he would have a male neutered but not his female? Huh? Do you think you finally got through to him or did he simply find undone male cat habits distasteful?

Education is a key component to any advocacy. Since I used to own a pet grooming shop I know that people are simply ignorant about animal behavior. They attach all sorts of human thoughts and characteristics to their pets and are oblivious their best friends are animals driven by instinct. One example of ignorance, and I know it is hard to believe, but I had a lady bring me a male dog to groom...matted to the bone and she had given it a female name and insisted to me that the dog was female. When we have people like this owning and trying to care for animals what can we expect? I educated this poor lady about male and female genitalia and I think I got through to her. Never saw her again, though.

Ondine, I am humbled by your efforts. Truly humbled.

Thank you. I do believe the cat sprayed and he loved him too much to toss him out. He told my neighbor he was surprised the cat was not acting like he'd expected. She told me later she thought he meant he'd expected the cat to meow in falsetto or something. :lol3:

Some people just don't get it but as long as that cat got neutered, our neighborhood stray problem got a lot easier.

ondine · Nov 9, 2015

Crazy4Strays said:
Wow!!

How on earth does one manage to keep a colony of 45 cats all vetted? That is super impressive!

She is not wealthy but decided that those cats deserved everything she could do for them. I know her friends and family have helped and she used funding from a S/N group here. Because most of the cats were socialized as kittens, she can get them into carriers and take them for shots and such. She had a bad epidemic of a URI go through the colony last winter but was able to stave it off with the help of our vet. He's given her a lot of support.

She has a lot of shelters and her sheds are set up so the cats can use them, too. Many of the cats come inside to visit on occasion, as well. She has found homes for almost as many kittens. The ones in the colony had been on their own too long to be very adoptable.

crazy4strays · Nov 10, 2015

So I ended up with a random pit bull dog on my doorstep.

My neighbor and I decided that we'd each take care of the stray animals on our own property.

I coaxed the dog into my car and drove him to the vet's office to scan for a microchip. He didn't have one and the neighbors didn't know where he came from, so ultimately I ended up calling Animal Control. Animal Control wasn't in today, so the sheriff's office is holding him at their kennel.

I feel good about handing him to AC because our animal shelter has a very low euthanasia rate. They typically transfer out the dogs to rescues and the Humane Society after trying to find owners and after the stray hold is up.

ondine · Nov 10, 2015

All I can say is God Bless You!

nsav8 · Nov 10, 2015

I can so totally relate. I am a huge dog lover, but found a feral and a kitten one day at the park. I have paid for all their vetting, and still cannot even find a rescue to take them. There are just too many cats out there!! It is so frustrating that good people like you and me pay the price because others cannot get their cats spayed or neutered. My city has numerous cheap spay/neuter programs. One charity even drives a mobile unit around spaying and neutering pets. Yet even low-cost mobile spays and neuters cannot fix the problem. Ugh.

ondine · Nov 11, 2015

nsav8 said:
I can so totally relate. I am a huge dog lover, but found a feral and a kitten one day at the park. I have paid for all their vetting, and still cannot even find a rescue to take them. There are just too many cats out there!! It is so frustrating that good people like you and me pay the price because others cannot get their cats spayed or neutered. My city has numerous cheap spay/neuter programs. One charity even drives a mobile unit around spaying and neutering pets. Yet even low-cost mobile spays and neuters cannot fix the problem. Ugh.

Wow! I wish I lived closer to you! I have to drive 35 miles to our clinic.

You are right, though, even with plenty of services and all sorts of education, there are people who will just never get it.

dandila · Nov 11, 2015

Cats seem to be toward the bottom of the totem pole. Just above vermin and insects.

Lack of humane options for stray cats *minor vent*

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Lack of humane options for stray cats minor vent