Banner Sponsors

Tracy Nov 10, 2006

What is wrong with some people?!! Not even a week ago, I went out to do chores and had a new kitty in my barn with my cats, waiting for breakfast.  A female.......and pregnant naturally.  Now, she was in good health, clean, and super loveable.  It was pretty obvious someone gifted me with her.  Okay....we'll deal with it.  Although, we are a bit irritated as we've spent the past couple of years and mucho $$$$  getting all of our momma kitties spayed.  Catfood gets expensive (we go through at least 120 pounds a month......probably more---I don't keep close track as it would shock me, I know ) and we have a problem with distemper on our place that is resistant to the vaccine.  Too many kittens have died, and I can't stand that.    Anyway, this morning I went outside to do chores, and there were two more pregnant females!!   Again, perfectly clean and dry (it's been raining and now snowing today) and waiting with the other cats for breakfast, and loveable.  Plus, they know the first kitty.  So, obviously someone is giving us their unwanted pregnant cats.    It just makes me so mad that people are so irresponsible with their animals.  It's not fair to us, and certainly not fair to the kitties either.   Grrrrrrrrr .........I wonder how many more I'm going to find?  Now, I love cats, so obviously I will care for them and later get them spayed also.  I'll bet whoever is leaving them here knows me .................

Crud.......just thought of something else.  These cats are all pregnant in November.  It will be a miracle if their kittens survive with our Iowa winters. I'll have to keep them in the tack room.......and buy a couple more kitty heat pads. Oh, and  another heated water bowl.    

Okay, grump over........anyone need some nice barn kitties?

&  :hug:
Tracy

Laura Lynn Banner SponsorNov 10, 2006

Oh Tracy!!!  That is just AWFUL!!!!!  If people don't want baby kitties... why don't they get their cats spayed?  Or keep them inside with NO daddy cats????

Grrrrrrrr!  I hear ya... our latest addition (Pandora... our 4th whippet) was returned to our breeder and we're glad she was.  They were idiots!

I could never work for animal control.... I'd end up in prison for murder....

Tracy Nov 10, 2006

It really is awful.......thanks Laura Lynn. :hug:   The sad thing is, there is a program run by the Animal Protection and Education agency that has traveling clinics around our area to help people with out of control cat colonies.  We've taken our cats to them, which has been much cheaper than using the vet office (like a third of the price).  Still, it adds up, so we've done  3-4 cats at a time.  Just started with the toms, and planned to get the rest fixed next spring with the first clinic.  Now they will be pushed back.....the mommas have to be fixed first.   Now, why couldn't these people do this themselves?  They should have, darn it!!  

I hear you about working for animal control............could I be your cell mate?

gotobedbears Nov 10, 2006

Well, it just goes to show don't it? These people are, may i use this word on TT just this once folks? - ARSEHOLES  :twisted:

Ship the kittens over to me Tracy love - my cats are getting old and i have stacks of space for a cacophany of cats.
You're a star Tracy - if the stupid ars*****s left them with you at least the cats will be cared for although i suspect you will have to start a charity soon or go under with the financial burden.

You are wonderful but poor and i love ya for it (not the poor bit obviously, i prefer rich friends)  :hug:  :crackup:

Penny 

Delartful Bears Nov 10, 2006

Gee, that is just t :hug: errible.  If you havepets, it's your responsibility to look after them.

I've said it before Tracy - you are a wonderful woman for doing all this, I'm sure that not many people would take on as a many as have you.

:hug:   You make me proud!

Danni

thumperantiques Nov 10, 2006

Tracy,
     Nothing gets me more upset than people that mistreat or ignore animals.  We have adopted many cats over the years - strays and feral ones, and I have a very soft spot for other people that do.  How can anyone dump a pregnant cat, especially this time of year!!!!!!!!  You are a treasure and there must be a special place in heaven for your and Shantell and anyone else that rescues animals.    Like PenPen, I wish I were closer - then one of those kittens would definitely have a home.  If by chance you could find out who it is, could you report them to the SPCA?  Take care and bye for now.

                                                hugs,

                                                Brenda

Carolyn Green Nov 10, 2006

That is so terrible Tracy -  how could someone do this to their pets.

I am so sorry that there are people are around and thankful that there  are kind and generous people
about like you.
Are you able to take them to an animal shelter to get them new homes?
I wished I lived near so I could help you out with a kitty.

Hugs
Carolyn

K Pawz GuestNov 10, 2006

awww Tracy, bless your heart!!! I know exactly what you mean....my house is just finally down to one kitten left for adoption, but I better not speak too soon, as I am sure to have more soon enough!!! I am with a rescue who's mandate is spay and neuter, we help low income families get the job done, because it has to be done!!! More and more though we are taking in the strays, fostering them and then putting the adoptable ones up for adoption so it is rewarding, but a lot of work...not to mention all the fundraising we have to do to support all of this spaying and neutering!!!

Hugs,
Krista

beary_clairey Nov 10, 2006

Some people in life don't deserve such lovely creatures.

You have such a kind soul Tracey!!! 

I hope you win the lottery !!!

:hug:

Claire

matilda Nov 10, 2006

Oh Tracy, I totally and absolutely feel for you.  This happened to friends of mine many years ago. Being a cat lover she took them all in. The vet spayed for half price. Then  she ended up with way too many. Could'nt find good homes for them. The whole situation  became all consuming where looking after them was a full time business....The amount of food they ate was astronomical.
Maybe you could speak with your local council and see if they will start a 'GET KITTY SPAYED' campain.
Put a notice in the local rag . Looking for donations to get kitty spayed. You could do it through the vet.
Put this problem back into the community where it belongs.  Nolonger carry the burden alone. 

shantell Nov 11, 2006

Awww....Tracy.  I feel for you.  I truly do.  I have spent a small fortune over the past week on our little treasure trove of kitties and I'm not done yet.  It's breaks my heart when someone just dumps them but then I think to myself...at least they are dumped where they will be taken care of and not out where they have to fend for themselves or just not taken care of at all.  The shelters are often so full any more that it's even hard for THEM to adequately care for all the animals anymore and THAT is sad.

HUGE HUGE kitty hugs to you for loving them and giving them all they NEED even if it's only for a short time.   :hug:   :hug:

Shantell

P.S.  I forgot to add...my closest neighbor who lives about 1/8th of mile from me has 4 little babies at his house...just showed up...no ideas from where.  They've been there about 6 weeks...no mamma...just babies...maybe 4 months old.

Eileen Nov 11, 2006

Good for you, Tracy!! :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

I think there must be a special place in Heaven for those who care for rejected creatures, human or otherwise.

My youngest daughter was 'gifted' with a pregnant cat by a rather nasy 'friend' some years back. The kittens didn't survive, nor did the mother. Need I suggest that there's a special circle of Hell for such irresponsible arseholes (pardon Penny's French)?

Tracy Nov 11, 2006

Thanks girls. :hug:  :hug: I truly don't need a pat on the back for being a kitty shelter though........it's the right thing to do! Although, I may have to start a charity soon as Penny suggested.......or we might be in the poor house!

We thought about the animal shelter that is 45 minutes from us, but I know they are full and probably wouldn't want to take them all.  Besides, they would charge us for taking them.  We may as well just keep them here and spay them this spring.....first chance we get!  Until then, I will do my best to help the kittens survive.  Keep your fingers crossed ladies, that we end up with really small litters and that none of the moms needs an emergency C-section.  One in particular I am worried about as she is such a tiny cat.......she may not be very old yet.  And a C-section costs around $200......we've had a few of them in the past too.  Plus, the babies generally don't live.

Shantell--The costs really add up don't they?  Not only food, but vet bills too.  I do give all my own shots, so that helps.  Plus the shots are cheaper bought at the farm store.  I have an account at both our vet office and the farm store that is paid each month with the rest of our bills.  It's shocking sometimes to see how much we really spend!!  But dang, what else could we do?

Wendy--Your story about your friend is giving me a fright! I do like your suggestion though.......I will check into that.  I might also be able to contact the agency that does the low cost spays for cat colonies.....maybe they can help even though they aren't doing the clinics at the moment (they take time off during the winter months).  It would be good to get these girls spayed right away when the kittens are weaned.  They could be pregnant again before spring!!

&  :hug:
Tracy

Tracy Nov 11, 2006

Need I suggest that there's a special circle of Hell for such irresponsible arseholes (pardon Penny's French)?

Eileen, if there isn't, there should be!!!

Michelle Helen Nov 11, 2006

Oh Tracy. What a good kind soul you are for caring about the kitties....What horrid beings there are in this world!!! Mean spirited idiots if you ask me....Oh, don't get me going.....

So you may have a lot of kittens. Perhaps you can call a local news station in your area to come out and do a human interest story. While doing it, they could mention, there are kittens available free to a good home. You can screen the "applicants" if you wish. Also highlighting the importance of getting cats fixed before you have unwanted kitties (or dogs...). Perhaps the local ASPCA can help you too with placing them....

Bear Hugs to you Tracy

Michelle

TamiL Nov 11, 2006

God has a special place in heaven for people like you!
I know it is hard on you, my dad must have spayed about 20 female cats
that live in his neighborhood over the years.  He has 3 cats and feeds them outdoors so
then all the stray cats show up.  Bless his heart and yours too!!!!

psichick78 Nov 11, 2006

Urgh, I don't even know what to say. Animal mistreatment and abuse really gets to me. I don't even know what to say, just thanks for doing what's right.

You should install a security camera...............

millie Nov 11, 2006

I know where you're coming from Tracy.  This is the reason we are now feeding around 20 cats.  They are all rescues.  Most of them from cases of cruelty and neglect.  Our latest is Mia who showed up here from the neighbors.  She was pregnant and not being fed at all.  She presented us with 4 kittens.  When I talked to the neighbors I was told "You can just keep them". Like I was asking anyway.  I had no plans to send them back over there.  They also told me that their other female was killed on the road and they were glad because every time she had kittens they died.  Go figure.  Mia's kittens would have died if I had not been caring for her.  But I sure thank you for helping the cats in your area.  I think cats really are given a tough time of it.

DebbieD Nov 11, 2006

I know exactly how you feel, Tracy, as we get people's 'dump offs' quite a lot.  Although Mister's now on the job and feels its his duty to run off other kitties from the property.  Our absolute worst was the pup that arrived in July.  Her feet were swollen from running who knows how many miles in the drought until she came up to the only available water...the pan I set down for the birds.  Poor thing!  She stayed with us for a week until we could get her penned and finally pet her....sooooo submissive!  Luckily for us there's a no kill shelter about an hour away.  We don't take them over often, but sometimes we'll take animals like the pup, or a really sweet kitty over to be rehomed.  They've been fantastic and the animals are all given temperment tests and the best of vet care and foods.

Just keep your chin up and keep plugging along.  If nothing else, each kitty has their own personality and they're a lot of fun to watch and play with 

Tracy Nov 11, 2006

Oh boy.......I noticed another one today.   At least this one is a male though.   I might not have seen him yesterday when I noticed the other two new additions.  I wonder if any others are out there?

On closer inspection this morning, these kitties are a bit on the skinny side.  Their fur is in pretty good condition though.  I also saw that the male has a mild respiratory infection.  Not bad, but he'll be getting Amoxidrops as soon as I can get some from the vet.......which will be monday.  Maybe it's a good thing after all that these poor babies were brought here.  It looks like someone maybe couldn't care for them as well as they should.  I will get them fattened up.  My barn cats are all nice and plump........they don't look like barn kitties!

Millie--I am appalled by your neighbors!  That is so ingnorant......and uncaring.   There are too many people around like that.......and you're right, cats do get a rough time of it more often than not.  Thank goodness Mia found her way to you. :hug:

Debbie--The angels were guiding that pup to you.    I'm so glad you found her!  I'm sure she was placed in a good home too.  Those no kill shelters are the best!  I am going to call the one close to us next week to see if just maybe they could take on at least 1 or 2 of the pregnant mommas we've been gifted with. :pray:

The hubs is freaking out now that I've told him there's yet another new cat outside.  He's worried about how many more we'll end up with and of course, how much $$  it's going to cost to care for them all.  Have I mentioned before that he's a major worry-wart?  We'll be fine though.  I'm not going to worry about it because we have no choice really but to take care of all of them.  Everything else will work out.

Judi Nov 11, 2006

Tracy your have a soft and kind heart.  It's a shame that people are taking advantage of you like this but I am sure God is smiling on you.

People do that around farms too.  They think that they can dump thier unwanted pets on a farm...and well...they think 'farm people' will take care of anything.

What about setting up a video camera?

Bless your heart Tracy.  Good luck with your cats.

Eileen Nov 12, 2006

We'll be fine though.  I'm not going to worry about it because we have no choice really but to take care of all of them.  Everything else will work out.

You're absolutely right, Tracy!  :hug:

All any of us can do is the right thing. The rest will work out.

In the end, the only power we have is over our own actions for good or ill.

I would definitely consider Judi's suggestion about that videocam, however!!

Tracy Nov 12, 2006

I'm seriously wishing for that video cam!!  I would so love to know who did this.   Found two more out in the barn yesterday.  One is a male luckily, and the other is another girl.  I don't think she's pregnant though.......yet.

This is getting a little strange........new cats keep popping up out of the woodwork! We're up to five of them now!