| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 1:40:06 PM
Hi everyone. This morning I took Emily out to wait for the bus and one of our outside kitties (they are about 11 months old now) was on the road- she'd been hit by a car. I stopped Emily before she saw but had to tell her. She was crying, and I ran to get an old towel and picked her off the road and set her aside (she was dead). I hugged Emily and told her we would figure out where to bury her with her dad later.
We have 3 indoor cats-- all adopted. We can't have any more inside--3 are a challenge as it is. Last June someone dropped off a pregnant cat who adopted us and had babies in the garage. She disappeared in late summer and we've been feeding the kittens. We made a shelter for them on the deck. No one, not even the shelters, would take more cats. Our county has no leash laws and the population is out of control. Everyone we know has indoor and outdoor cats. As soon as it got warm 2 wandered off, and two were left. Now it's just one. We also have an older cat that was from another litter. She miscarried her kittens last month but she's fine.
I cannot afford to get the outdoor kitties fixed. The vets are SO expensive around here, and we don't have any cheap services.
What do you all do for outdoor cats? Do you have them? Am I just too soft hearted?
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 20 2008 : 5:22:50 PM
Thanks Alee:) I have an update. I called to reschedule tomorrow because Chuck wasn't home to help me gather up the cats, and they called back to say I hadn't been scheduled. Oops! BUT, I'm setting it up for June when Chuck has a vacation and the boys are done with school. I will have plenty of help. The mom and new kittens won't be ready til July, but since school is still out the boys can help with those. Now, if the other strays can just go to another house I'll be all set:)
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 07:34:45 AM
Here is some kitty trivia:
An average cat has 1 to 8 kittens per litter, and 2 to 3 litters per year. During her productive life, one female cat could have more than 100 kittens.
A single pair of cats and their kittens can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just seven years.
The most prolific cat was a tabby named Dusty of Bonham, she lived in Texas, and produced 420 kittens during her life time.
Mother cats are properly referred to as Dams, and a female cat raised solely for breeding is called a Queen. The father cat is properly called the Sire.
A cat is pregnant for about 58 to 65 days. This is roughly two months.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 06:14:12 AM
Brenda,
was so glad to hear your news. That is so cool. Thats a huge savings !!! Glad you were able to find some help. Its nice to know that all your hard work payed off. Plus your doing it for strays that have been dumped. Not many people would rescue and keep the cats much less have them fixed. My hats off to you !
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 15 2008 : 5:01:22 PM
Alee, that sounds much like the clinic that is helping me out, but ours is called C-Snips.
KYgurlsrbest-- I know, I will just repeat "Be tough, Be tough". LOL
We take the first 4 cats next week-- I'll let you all know how it goes!
We have to do the after care, but I think I can handle that okay. This weekend I'm clearing out the area the new kitties have been hiding in, so I can get to know them and I think I'll put a litter box in there too and start giving them some soft food.
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - May 14 2008 : 6:04:48 PM
I saw a sign for a spay/neuter clinic here in town and thought of this thread. It was sponsored by an organization:
www.stoplittering.org
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - May 14 2008 : 6:01:52 PM
Woo Hoo Brenda!!! Perseverence pays off (literally!!!) Now, when the next kitties come along, you can be strong!!! You can do it--look what you've already accomplished!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 14 2008 : 5:59:07 PM
Hey everyone! I have a cool update...I emailed c-snip in grand rapids--they literally were the only one doing lower cost neutering...the SPCA is an hour 1/2 away and they have suspended their program. Anyways, a lady called me, and c-snip is willing to split the cost with me for the 2 indoor female kitties, and the two outdoor. So, it will be about 90.00
for all 4. Plus in 6 weeks or so they will handle spade/neutering the kittens and the mom for just the cost of the mom as long as I take them all back and try to find homes for them.
The only draw back is I think this is a one time deal, and she said if more stray cats come my way I should immediately take them to the county pound or humane society. That will be hard for me, but that's what every shelter I've talked to has said.
Sorry I have to rush-- my daughter needs to get to bed--we were at track meet and had dinner late.
I want to thank everyone again for all your support:)
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| kindacrunchymom |
Posted - May 14 2008 : 3:58:26 PM
The folks at this place in Lansing are wonderful. They specialize in cats, and they may be able to point you in the right direction!
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3716302231
Farmmom to my 3 year old farm tot, and wife to a country boy!
To learn more about me, here is my blog:
http://mcadmom.wordpress.com/
|
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 11 2008 : 11:36:32 AM
Hi ladies... thanks again for all the advice. willowtreecreek-- I called the vets that were the obvious ones nearby. But, I just found out there is a new one in a small town next to us, and another in a town 20 minutes away--I'll give them a call. Shots are high here too. I called around and for each kitty it was $50 first visit, then $50 for the booster. Our one cat had ear mites which I could have treated at home later, but I didn't know that then, and it was $200 for the shots and cleaning her ears. That was just the first visit!
Oh, and an update. My husband was cleaning the garage, and in the back where I had some garden stuff stored was a mom cat that we'd never seen before and 5 kittens. They looked 3 weeks old or so to me. She was fairly friendly, so it almost seems like another drop off. Emily is just in love with them of course. Face it, I am a cat magnet. LOL
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - May 10 2008 : 1:40:35 PM
Out vet charges 45$ to spay a cat and only 25 to neuter. I can not imagine $200. HAve you called around to any vetrinary offices to check prices?
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
|
| Betty J. |
Posted - May 08 2008 : 12:28:04 PM
A lady from my town recently rescued a Chesapeake Bay Retriever from out in the country. She could not keep the animal but he had such an engaging personality including a bright yellow ball that he carried everywhere. He had obviously been hit by a car and had lived about six months with two broken front legs. Upon hearing of her plight, a local vet helped get the dog to Washington State University where they have a vet school. Chocolate has had numerous surgeries and lots of rehabilitation and will be released from the school shortly. He still has his yellow ball!. If you Google "Chocolate the Dog" you will be able to read his story. The pooch has also been neutered. It is a wonderful read. I hope you enjoy it.
|
| wooliespinner |
Posted - May 08 2008 : 12:06:07 PM
Brenda,
I sympathize with you. The county next to mine does the voucher to help people out. Unfortunately I am half a mile across the line. I live in Adam County. We have shelters that take dogs when they have room but not cats. We live on a secluded road and people have been dumping dogs, puppies and kittens for the past 17 years we've lived here. It really gets old. I have adopted many of these cats or found homes for them. I get so tired of people using me for their birth control. There cats have kitten and I end up with them. If I don't bring them home then the raccons and skunks would eat them. I really really love animals so I can't walk away knowing there fate. My husband says I am soft hearted but he understands and supports me on this thank goodness.
I had 11 cats and and am now down to 7. I lost 2 to the petfoot recall. Had to have both put to sleep. One from a disease she got (FIP) from her mother which of course I never knew this because she was dumped. Had to have her put to sleep ....she was only 14 months old. I cried for over 2 months. She was a super little angel her name was Myia. The last cat was a leghold trap rescue(Daisy) 16 years ago. She had part of her front let removed but lived a long live. She was put to sleep last friday due to renal falure.
All of these cats were drop offs. It has put a financial strain on my family. I have had them all fixed because I don'twant a population explosion. My credit card is the only way we managed to swing it. Don't recomend that way tho.Its just what we had to do at the time.
Our vet does give me a $5 dollar discount on rescues when I bringt them in 3's to be fixed. He also lets me buy my own shots and give them their shots to save money.
Maybe try talking to the vet in your area and see if they would be willing to do a deal like this and work with you. I know its super hard. I have shed many tears over animals. And you can't stop people from dumping them. Its a horrible situation. I totally empathize with you. I am still trying to figure a way to get our county to do vouchers but this is a poor country. I know I will end up with more cats and dogs.
Keep trying and searching and hope something turns up for you. There are some online organization that will help with the bill if you send them the info and can prove what you have had done at the vet by submitting the bill to them.
The United Animal Nations helped me with a 5 month old dog that was thrown from a bridge that need 4 pins,wires, and 4 surgeries to save his leg and shoulder. They donated $150 towards the bill. I had to do paper work and semd the bills from the vet proving the surgeries and that he was a rescue.The orthopedic surgon knew that Toby(thats what we call him) was not my dog and I was trying to save him. Talk to the vet if you can and sometimes they will listen. The worst thing they can say to you is no. I don't think you can ever be too softhearted. The world needs more people like that. Then maybe no one would ever dump animals anymore. Wouldn't that be great !!
super good luck to you and hope it works out for you. I will do some looking online myself and see if I can find anymore out to help you.
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - May 08 2008 : 05:01:41 AM
Oh, Brenda --
When I was a kid we lived on a farm and raised wheat/oats/soybeans and corn. We always had 20 or so cats around. Most of them even had names. We never took them to the vet and we never spayed/neutered any of them. We did put cat food out for them, but most of them supplemented their diet with mice and other nasties from the grain bins, and let me tell you, I am glad they did! My dad would NEVER think of taking one of the farm cats to the vet. If they had something wrong with them, they either adapted to living with their disability or they died. It sounds harsh, especially to people from "town" but most everyone else around us treated cats the same way. The cats earned their keep by keeping the pests down.
I think the culture has changed a little in the last 30 years, and people are more sympathetic to "pets" now especially since there is such a big market for pet products - I think there is a lot of advertising that changes peoples' attitudes. But I personally don't think there is anything wrong with having outside cats if you have enough acreage that they don't become a problem for your neighbors.
I don't live on a farm now and DH won't even let me think of getting a cat - I was offered a kitten just last night.
(Our weekend farm is just north of Kent City - don't even think of dropping me off any cats - but I'd love to get together with you sometime...drop me a private email!)
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 5:10:38 PM
Oh, no, Brenda...animals tug on our hearts more than anything! Don't feel bad for being sensitive...it would terrible if you weren't :)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 5:07:38 PM
Thanks for link. Sorry for being so sensitive. You'd thinking growing up on a farm, I'd be tougher:) LOL
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 4:36:01 PM
Some of these organizations just have donors that send money for this particular fund--and they'll mail you certificates to utilize at a vet or a "voucher" or they'll trap and release themselves. The link I provided isn't just for adoption, it's for contacting cat orgs. that do nothing BUT spay neuter. That's becoming more popular now, with $$$ folks. Give money, don't have to take in the animals. It's a trickle down concept. They provide a spay/neuter fund, and the fund provides long term homes and no babies. http://www.catswithnoname.net/Michigan.htm
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| katie-ell |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 4:33:53 PM
So sorry about the little kitten. You're so dear for helping the abandoned kittens . . . and I understand how sad you must be today. Maybe read through this thread in a day or two if you want to pursue getting the one kitten fixed. If you could do that, you will be helping reduce the overpopulation by another bit. (Oh -- I see your last post -- glad you will pursue this!)
And I don't think you are too soft-hearted. One of our customers built a ramp and a cat 'door' through the window of their garage for the feral cats who were in the neighborhood. These are cats that won't allow her to pet them, but she loves them just the same and arranges for others to feed them when she's out of town. She's a good soul. And you are too.
www.youaretoocreative.blogspot.com |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 4:32:22 PM
Thanks...I will keep trying. I've checked the county next to ours, which is more easily in driving distance for me. I'll check the county Grand Haven is in, and see if they have anything there.
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 4:25:57 PM
No...I mean, keep asking until you get the help you need. That's what that saying means. It's great to keep the cats...I'm glad, but SOMEONE will help you! You just have be persistent...shelters (are usually) happier when you offer to care for the animal and are more willing to give you the assistance you need. If you've called locally, branch out. The list I gave you gives lots of options.
I'm not trying to be nasty..that's the problem with "typing" instead of talking!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 4:23:54 PM
I'm confused...so it's NOT Okay that I keep the cats? I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I thought providing shelter and care and love for the cats that OTHER people abandoned was a good thing.
I started this topic hoping to share with others who were caring for cats outdoors. It's been a rough day. "The squeaky wheel gets the oil." is not making it better.
I'm sorry.
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 4:13:00 PM
Sorry, I've worked in shelters my whole life and I can honestly that there IS a way, if there's a will. What about Grand Haven? Like I said, help may be several counties or cities away, you just have to be willing. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
This is a list of all Michigan Spay and Neuter programs--all over the state with either phone numbers, emails or snail mail. There is one in particular called the Michigan Feral Cat Project. This would be a good place to start.
http://www.catswithnoname.net/Michigan.htm
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 4:03:56 PM
Thanks, I'll try calling them. I was so discouraged after talking to the shelter people that I just figured I would take care of the cats that came around myself, which I don't mind. We worried so much about them all winter, and made the shelter, fed and watered them-- I figured once winter was over they would be okay. It never occurred to me that we would lose them to getting hit. I know that sounds dumb or naive...
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 3:57:14 PM
I'd try contacting the spay/nueter shelter that you mentioned that is offered to folks with lower incomes and ask to talk to someone in charge about your situation and how you want to help these animals but cannot afford the extra money it takes to spay/nueter each one..and just explain the situation and see if they can work something out with you.
Some vert clinics also allow payment plans if needed.
But I would try the other facility first and see if there is any way that even though you might not fall into the financial bracket..they may be able to help you out.
good luck. and so sorry about the kitty.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 3:25:44 PM
I've tried all this. We are near Grand Rapids which is in Kent County--where the overpopulation is happening. The humane society is charging to even take cats now, regardless of whether they are feral or not. The pound, which I didn't want to use, is charging as well. I've talked to people at two no-kill shelters who told me there is no feral cat programs here-- they actually told me to take them to the humane society or the pound and hope someone rescues them from there. I didn't want to do that. There is one organization that offers neutering-- but you need to be low income, which we don't qualify for.
I'm really not an irresponsible person, but I can't pay 100 to 200 bucks each to get the cats neutered. I've called around and it's that much or more because you need two visits at $50 each, for shots BEFORE they will do the surgery. Plus, even if I did this, it doesn't stop the problem of other stray cats wandering here when someone drops them on the road.
I'm sorry if I sound short-- I'm just upset over losing the kitty today, and feel helpless to do more. I feed and care for the outdoor cats. I have no problem doing that. I just wondered what others do... thanks:)
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| Bfriday |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 3:24:05 PM
If you look on-line for the nearest SPCA they usually have a voucher program to take to a vet and get discounted services. They also offer discounted shots esp. rabies. We adopted 3 kittens as outside/barn cats. They did get fixed by the shelter. It is impossible to keep them off the road, we are lucky they have been fast enough to dodge cars. We have many feral cats that come around, our SPCA does have a feral cat program, you should really check into that. But when the shelters are too full sometimes you have to manage your farm the best you can!
Farmgirl #188 |
