Please help with ideas finding abandoned kitty a home

We'd appreciate ideas to find this super sweet, abandoned tabby a good home.
Maybe some resources we haven't seen - to reach more people that may take "non-kittens"?

She showed up - emaciated & we nursed her back to health. Eating VERY well now & gained several lbs.

Other neighbors think she was abandoned by neighbors that moved - happened many times before.

One of the gentlest, most affectionate, calmest cats we've seen (out of 100's).  Loves laps, being held, brushed (even belly). Likes playing w/ toys.
She's so sweet & affectionate, deserves better than locked in a cage, even if any shelters had room (all full).

I'd love to keep her but my health & finances don't allow it.

Vet's age estimate was indeterminate - except older than 3 yrs or so.

Made a huge effort to find owners (maybe best we couldn't?). Posted on several pages to find them -  or a home. Most rescue groups said placing cats over 1 - 2 yrs old is very difficult.
Efforts to find her a home have been total bust.

Many thanks.

Can you tell us where you are located, at least approximately? Giving recommendations for rescues and similar will be easier that way.

What have you tried so far to find her a home? Unfortunately, it is true that placing older cats is difficult. Is there no possibility that you can keep her yourself?

Placing flyers in vets offices may help. Craigslist and similar can also work, but if you go that route you should be especially careful in screening people who ask to have her, and should definitely charge a rehoming fee that is large enough to dissuade anyone who might be taking her for 'bad' purposes, such as feeding her to another pet (yes, it really happens).  A small rehoming fee is a good idea however you place her though.  If you are uncomfortable taking money, you can consider donating it to a charity or refunding the fee on proof that the new owners have taken the cat to the vet for a check up.

Good luck with this, and thank you for helping this cat.

Thank you.  Located in Houston TX metro.

Called several vets - even ones we've used.  Don't allow fliers.  Said contact shelters / rescue groups.  But, didn't call every vet in 25 mi radius - probably 200.

Tried so far:

Called and / or emailed - most all no kill shelters or foster groups - in a wide area.  Dozens - large metro area.  Most didn't respond to multiple contacts.

Those that did were "all full."  Only one agreed to receive pics & details, "to share w/ their foster volunteers & other rescue groups in the area."  No word back.

  Fliers in the "hood" - looking for owners or home; knocking on many doors - several streets.

Posting ads on some Facebook pages ( probably tons we don't know about).

Posting ads on couple of large, "local community" classified ad sites that have lots of traffic.  I've given away & sold almost anything on them - just not abandoned cat.

Posted on craigslist.

Put (10 word) ad in a local community paper (large distribution) - comes out Jan. 22.

Must say, in 25+ yrs, never put remotely this much time / effort (a LOT) in placing many homeless cats / kittens.  No-kill shelters & foster groups are all full now days.

Keeping her ourselves - I'd love to... anything's possible.  Like neighbors showing up to help w/ other chores, that require Rx meds - so I can care for another animal.

It'd also require keeping her in separate part of house from our indoor cat that had reaction from anesthesia.  Went from very laid back to highly aggressive toward other cats - passing thru yard or the older cat he grew up with & had been buddies.

Yes, (thanks) - I'm aware of unscrupulous or cruel people answering "free animal" ads.  The only 2 hits so far were from craigslist.  One lost interest when I asked for basic info & told a little about the cat.  Another sounded legit & perfect fit - older single lady, but backed out - vet advised her a new animal might be hard on an elderly, going blind, CRF dog.  She had 1 other cat.

I suppose I could say that I'll refund the re-homing fee, on verification the animal is still ALIVE / not fed to dogs or snakes, after a week or so.

My guess - many might think it's a scam - keep the fee for free, stray cat (even though very tame, affectionate).

Most likely, I'd always visit their home before handing over animal.  Once, a "colleague" wanted another cat we rescued.  We went & she had (2) 80 lbs dogs & (1 or 2) 30 lbs - failed to mention.  Said she had a cat that grew up w/ them, but died (or eaten?) & thought they'd enjoy another cat.  In her carrier, They acted like they'd enjoy her  - for a snack.  We said thanks but no thanks.

Have you tried the PetFbi site it is great. 

Have you asked any of the rescues to list the cat on their website/petfinder for you?  Our rescue will do so as a courtesy even if we are "full".   Of course, you do need to keep the cat in your home until it is adopted.  

If she is sweet, calm and gentle try placing her with a senior citizen. One cat I rescued (my profile pic) was an older cat (according to one vet). Anyhow, the vet put me in touch with a volunteer from one of the local shelters. She informed me that there was a waiting list of seniors waiting on older, calm, gentle cats. You might even see if a nursing or assisting living facility might be interested. We all know how comforting and calming a cat can be.

Best of luck to you guys!

I could put the word out on a pet grief site I know, if you want.  I know this one woman whom I think would be great for her, only she is dead set against any more pets.  <sigh>  

I think it'd be great to find the original owners....and slap them with an abandonment charge!  

Ginny said:

I think it'd be great to find the original owners....and slap them with an abandonment charge!  

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YES! This exactly! Dumping is common in our rural area and it ticks me off to no end. There needs to be strict penalties for abandoning or dumping. Don't even get me started on the lack of responsibility for the #*€\~ that don't get their pets fixed!

The people that lived across the street from my parents left their cat behind when they moved. The poor thing was so starved and desperate that he became a real live cat burglar. The poor thing risked using their doggie door to sneak in and steal food. He even made it past their cats and dogs. Sneaky little Prince. Not sure what happened to him. Nobody would come trap him.

That's terrible, poor kitty!  It makes me shudder to know that there are people out there who own cats who think of them as "just a cat".  In other words, expendable.  If I were you, I wouldn't even consider refunding the fee.  She looks very sweet.  I do hope she ends up with the best family or couple ever.  She deserves that!

Looked on PetFBI - in 25 mi. radius of my zip (probably 1 million pop.), they had 4 listings of lost cats, under "ALL" types / colors, from Oct 15, '15 to Jan 15, '16.
IMO, not a very high lost pet traffic site - for TX.

Theyremine said:

 
Have you asked any of the rescues to list the cat on their website/petfinder for you?  Our rescue will do so as a courtesy even if we are "full".   Of course, you do need to keep the cat in your home until it is adopted.  

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Yes & no.  Didn't know it was an option (by looking at rescue sites, showing pics).  As said, most never replied - by email or phone (I used both contact methods - for many, 2x).

Of 2 or 3 replies, one mentioned sending a pic / descript, or if allowed (I sent immediately).   I always mentioned making donation - most STILL didn't reply.  Yet, they had "PLEASE donate" links on their sites.
 

Anyhow, the vet put me in touch with a volunteer from one of the local shelters. She informed me that there was a waiting list of seniors waiting on older, calm, gentle cats.

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Really?  Where might one find this seniors' waiting list?  No local rescue, no-kill shelter volunteers even mentioned such or connections to seniors.

None of several vets we contacted mentioned options (only, "call shelters.").

Not sure where to start, except I've spent an incredible amt of time already.  More than adoption agencies probably spend on one child.  Maybe 100 phone calls - countless emails, posting ads on multiple sites.  I've fallen so far (farTHER) behind on critical home, auto repairs & maintenance.  Always way behind due to extreme chronic pain disability.

My life's work can't be finding ONE cat a home.

If she is sweet, calm and gentle try placing her with a senior citizen.

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Well, reaching the (right) seniors, in  reasonable time  is the issue.  Maybe I could sit outside restaurants w/ early bird specials?   But adult cats are often freaked by being in strange places - at 1st..

She was days / hrs from death - a (non) walking skeleton.  Force fed her for 3 wks.  Wife was truly amazed she lived & thrived.  Now she's eating  like a pig.  Gained 2.5 - 3 lbs.  Needs lots of hi-density calorie food to maintain + gain weight.  Gets expensive - even ordering online - as I won't feed dry food or canned food that's mostly "corn meal" or meat MEAL.  Must find cheaper source of quality protein / fat (low carb) - to supplement.  Turkey necks/ poultry giblets, cheap ground meat near "sell by date," or something.

CatOMight said:

Yes & no.  Didn't know it was an option (by looking at rescue sites, showing pics).  As said, most never replied - by email or phone (I used both contact methods - for many, 2x).
Of 2 or 3 replies, one mentioned sending a pic / descript, or if allowed (I sent immediately).   I always mentioned making donation - most STILL didn't reply.  Yet, they had "PLEASE donate" links on their sites.

 
Really?  Where might one find this seniors' waiting list?  No local rescue, no-kill shelter volunteers even mentioned such or connections to seniors.
None of several vets we contacted mentioned options (only, "call shelters.").

Not sure where to start, except I've spent an incredible amt of time already.  More than adoption agencies probably spend on one child.  Maybe 100 phone calls - countless emails, posting ads on multiple sites.  I've fallen so far (farTHER) behind on critical home, auto repairs & maintenance.  Always way behind due to extreme chronic pain disability.
My life's work can't be finding ONE cat a home.
Well, reaching the (right) seniors, in  reasonable time  is the issue.  Maybe I could sit outside restaurants w/ early bird specials? :lol3:   But adult cats are often freaked by being in strange places - at 1st..

She was days / hrs from death - a (non) walking skeleton.  Force fed her for 3 wks.  Wife was truly amazed she lived & thrived.  Now she's eating  like a pig.  Gained 2.5 - 3 lbs.  Needs lots of hi-density calorie food to maintain + gain weight.  Gets expensive - even ordering online - as I won't feed dry food or canned food that's mostly "corn meal" or meat MEAL.  Must find cheaper source of quality protein / fat (low carb) - to supplement.  Turkey necks/ poultry giblets, cheap ground meat near "sell by date," or something.

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I'm in KY so I can't tell you if your shelter has seniors lined up and waiting or not. How about contacting some senior type clubs like an Elks lodge or shuffleboard court to see if you can post a flyer. Something else I tried was to see if there was a local chapter for Veterans. Cats make wonderful companions for Veterans dealing with things like PTSD or the huge life changes they go through after serving time overseas. Just the other day I had an anxiety attack that my cat helped me through. I was right on the edge when I walked in the room and Grey ran over to me and literally hugged my leg. Not every cat has that sense when they are needed or even care. If your cat is overly affectionate, he/she could be a life saver! So....try contacting senior communities, club and chapters for veterans. It might help, it might not. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. When I brought my guys in, I went through the same thing you did. It's not easy to rehome cats or find them placement. If there were better laws holing people accountable for not getting their pets fixed maybe it would be easier but we all know that isn't going to happen.

Ginny said:

 
I think it'd be great to find the original owners....and slap them with an abandonment charge!  

Click to expand...

I'll be right over with my bat.