Caring for strays?

When i move back to civilisation (Bunbury) in two months i was thinking of starting something small to care for a few cats at a time, strays etc.

it's something iv'e always wanted to do but i'm scared of actually doing it.

what i need to know is


what happens if you can't find a home for one? do you just keep him/her?

what if you get attatched and i know i would

what if they get really sick? do you need to have any training?

what if you get overwhelmed with cats? how can you say no to any cat? for example, if you advertise that you take cats then it becomes too much, you might know if you don't take a cat it could be killed, how do you cope or deal with that situation?

how do you know if it's safe to let them near your own cats, what if they have a disease or somthing....


i know there's a heap more things i need to ask but i can't think of anything else right now so any help would be appreciated.

thanks

When I move back to civilization (Bunbury) in two months I was thinking of starting something small to care for a few cats at a time, strays etc. Itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s something Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve always wanted to do but Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m scared of actually doing it.

What I need to know is what happens if you can't find a home for one?

My suggestion is donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t take any cats in you canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t provide for until you do find them a home. Try and work with a local no-kill shelter that would be able to take cats from you if this would be the case.

Do you just keep him/her?

Only if you are able to give the proper care, veterinary care, available space, and the needed funds.

What if you get attached and I know I would?

That is always the possibility! Youâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll have to just remember youâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re saving them and providing them to a good home. Which brings up another issue, you will need to get some type of screening of possible adoptee to ensure they are going to as safe and good environment.

What if they get really sick?

Just ensure you have a veterinarian that will be willing to work with you on this, and that you have the funds to provide the care!

Do you need to have any training?

Go to this website
http://www.alleycat.org
it should be able to answer most questions you have.

What if you get overwhelmed with cats? How can you say no to any cat? For example, if you advertise that you take cats then it becomes too much, you might know if you don't take a cat it could be killed, how do you cope or deal with that situation?

You will have to set your limits on what you can take in. Remember you wonâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t be saving a cat if you canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t provide what they need.

How do you know if it's safe to let them near your own cats, what if they have a disease or something?

Before you ever expose your own cats, you need to seclude whatever ones you rescue until theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been tested and a thorough exam by a vet. You should have a room available that you would be able to do this.


I know there's a heap more things I need to ask but I can't think of anything else right now so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

i think if you let your local cat welfare know how much space you have ,i am sure they would appreciate you being there as say an overflow for any cats they have and they would pass cats on to you ,then you would not be overwhelmed by cats as they would know your limits.
also they could help out with the costs for the cats,

i would start small like that and then ..........who knows ..........you could become another of their branches.

good luck on your venture and i wish you every success

Felicia - what an amazing thing your thinking of doing.

I dont know about in WA but over this side of the country there are very few no kill-shelters and in fact I dont know of any in my state. I know of a few vets and homes that take on a few cats but thats about it and it always breaks my heart thinking about this. One day, I hope we follow in the USA's lead... until then, good on you for doing something to help!!

is there a local shelter of some sort in bunbury that you could contact and speak to? they might be able to put you in the right direction.

I know I would get attached to each cat I rescued but then you need to think of the greater good... if you can successfully adopt out one cat then you can save another cat right? and the chain continues.

I agree, start out small but have a plan worked out, speak to a vet and know exactly how much all the initial costs of each cat would be to get them tested and such and go from there... then you can have a plan so you know how many cats you can have at anyone time.

I know I havent answered your questions directly, but just typing as I think.