Help, I am such a sucker

It is kitten season. Help.

My partner in crime told me about a situation. (Damn, she has seen the kittens) There are two mother cats with 11 kittens. The idiot owner didn't get them fixed and is now moving and won't be responsible. I already over-loaded the female stray that I took in by having her adopt four orphaned kittens (on top of her seven). She has my bedroom.

Where can I put these two mother cats and their 11 kittens. I have several large boxes that I have cut holes in. I am thinking I could put the kittens in there. My other cats won't harm them but would the mother cats be able to cope? What do I do?

Goblin

Can you keep them in your bathroom instead? I can't imagine that a cardboard box (even a big one) would give enough room for two adult cats and eleven kittens. Do you have a garage they can stay in?

Although I applaud your rescue efforts, don't you already have 31 cats? That will make 43- Is there any way you can find an alternate home for them? Perhaps contact local rescue groups, or call around to the vets to see if someone will take them?

Dear Hissy,

I work with Halt. It is a Rescue group in Kingman. One of the few. I do have another room. My second bedroom which I turn into my office/computer room. I think I can close it off. I need to buy a baby gate.

I hate kitten season. Why can't people get their cats fixed? (Just ranting)

Goblin

I just would hate to see you move from the realm of rescuer to hoarder. It is easy to do when the need is so great, and before you know it, you are overrun with cats and problems. 41 cats is a LOT no matter how large your house is. Sometimes it is prudent to just say NO and if you work with HALT let them find a way to care for these newcomers.

Although I applaud your dedication and efforts, I have to agree with Hissy. Everyone has a limit, and one of the most important (and most difficult) things to learn and actually do when rescuing is to say "no." The one question we always ask ourselves and that we encourage others to ask themselves before taking in more cats is this: can I afford to care for them all if we're unable to find them homes? Can you afford to care for and have 25 cats spayed and neutered? If Halt pays for their medical care and spaying and neutering, then ask yourself if your home is large enough to handle that many cats - once they're not nursing kittens. One of the most difficult things in rescuing is turning away cats in need, but sometimes it's the right thing to do.

A second bedroom would work for a couple of weeks, but I wouldn't recommend it long term.

Good luck!!!

Wow...that is a LOT of cats..and though I applaud you for caring....I agree with Hissy and LDG. What would happen if you all of a sudden lost your house or a neighbor complained (I am thinking back on the rescuer who had 82 cats). Yes....it is irresponsible of people not to fix their cats...and it is a shame to leave those of us who care to handle the situation...but you must know your limits and stay within them. Is there a way your organization can reach out for more fosters?? Can they hold an adoption event at a local PetSmart to try to find homes for some of the cats you already have?? I know kitten season stinks...we are all feeling it right now....and it is commendable that you care....but if you take in these cats/kittens...it should be on a temporary basis with the goal of finding either new homes or new fosters.

Katie

I got a call last night, a mom cat had 7 kittens and then she passed away birthing the 8th. I was asked if I could take the surviving kittens. I wanted to, I really did, but with 12 of my own and two just recovering from god knows what- I had to say no. I remember a time a few years ago when I couldn't say "No..." 23 cats later, I learned a really hard lesson. In rescue, NO is not only important sometimes it is a necessity.

You do need a good adoption outlet if you don't already have one. Do you have a Petsmart or other similar store in town where you can hold adoption clinics?

I know that there are some fosters at my org that have a whole bunch of cats. They have converted every room and garage in their house into shelter areas for their fosters. They have rooms with cages to separate and isolate recovering or problem cats. But they do get a good turnover on their adoptions, as they all go to weekend adoption clinics and are listed on petfinder.com. The ultimate goal is to find homes and don't take in any more until you have found the existing ones homes.

All I can say is that if you continue with the numbers that you have, you will need to convert every square foot of your house into a shelter type setting. Not ideal, but the price you pay for taking this problem on yourself! I emphasize with you, I truly do!

I posted knowing that I would take them in. I just got back from Walmart. I bought a baby door to close of my second bedroom. My other cats really don't use it so there is space available.

You are right about saying no. Now, after 43, I will have to say no.

My cats do have enough space. My single wide is 14 by 50, with a built on addition of 10 by 30. I also have an outside enclouse of 10 by 22. The cats can also go under my single wide. That is 2220 square feet. I have 14 gaint litter boxes, which are cleaned every day. The neighbors have not complained. No one lives on one side of me and the other house next door is owned by a woman, who remembers me as a young girl. And I have the law on my side here. Yes I understand I do have to say no.

I will try to post some pictures, but because I have a Mac sometimes a PC cannot read them. I just got a new digital camera, a FujiFilm S3000 and I just bought Photoshop 5.5 on ebay.

I am not worried about the finances of getting them fixed and their shots. The organization that I work with has an arrangement with the vet so that I don't have to pay for the office visit. I also have a new job, at American Woodmark. (I was told that there was manatory overtime, I work an average of 8 to 10 overtime a week) They like me and I think they will be promoting me after my probationary period. So I will be able to handle the vet bills.

I am not alone in this. I have a partner in crime which helps me out. I am thinking if I can get some good pictures of the kittens and use Photoshop I can make flyers or brochures to help people become aware. I will also be working with PetSmart down in Pheonix to get these kittens and cats homes. I just want to make sure that it is a good home and I am not sending them back into a bad situation. That would be such a betrayal to them.

Goblin

These are my eleven kittens that I have rescued.