My Rescue Days are OVER!

[kimlovescats]

Well, now that I've single-handedly caused an epidemic among otherwise perfectly healthy cats, I am retiring from the rescue "business"!!!!! :(

It seems this is "par for the course" with me ..... my good intentions always end up being disastrous. I think I need to be locked up before I do something else STUPID!!!!!!!! :confused:

[jenluckenbach]

STOP IT

Things happen. And we are not always to blame. I know that it is human nature to place blame, and it is always easiest to target ourselves, but some things are out of our control.

I have had URI go through here before, it's contagious, just like when your co-workers get sick....you are bound to be next. It is frustrating and sad.......BUT IT IS NOT YOU FAULT !!!

I hope all the kitties get well real soon so you can stop worrying too much. We know that you are a good person and we don't want you to be unhappy.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[kimlovescats]

I've been up all night, and I'm just feeling very tired, overwhelmed and down. I plan to call another woman who does rescue, who had already offered to take any kittens if need be. I think I will ask her to take all six kittens, hopefully BEFORE they take sick!!!! I love them too much to expose them any furthur!!!

Thank you for your kind words and encouragment .... self-blame is my "middle name" .... a side effect of having a major depressive illness. :rolleyes:

[rosethecopycat]

Kim,

I don't know the specifics of your rescue efforts, but I think that you take in cats and try to place them yourself?

Why not try working through a organization, such as I do (siameserescue.org)?
We are saving one cat at a time.

The good side to having an organization to back you up is:
Network of other fosters to communicate with.
Website has photos of cats that reach specific adopters looking for cats.
Supplies provided.
Vetting provided.
Intense screening of applicants insures good placements.

You can have as few or as many cats as you wish. If a foster in your home is not working with you residents they can be transferred.
There are a wide variety of cats such as kittens, elderly, queens, etc.

I have had a wonderful experience with the rescue and yes, most cats that come from a shelter do have some illness, but I have kept my cats from getting it with rigorous handwashing and isolation techniques. I like seeing the little sick ones get better. I've got my first little girl recovering from her spay, yesterday. I like nurturing her.

Please don't give up. We may not be able to help them all, but we can help one at a time. Don't be overwhelmed. There is a logical way to take this on.

Please P.M. me if I am not understanding you situation, or I can give you any more information on siamese rescue. We are in great need of fosters.

Rosethecopycat

[Prairie Purrs]

My guys are all indoors and haven't been exposed to new cats in more than two years--and sniffles still occasionally make the rounds. I had a litter of kittens born indoors and never exposed to outside cats that developed a nasty gastrointestinal bug--the vet couldn't figure out how they got it, just a random virus. They gave me a scare but they all got over it.

The point is that kitties will get sick, and in multicat households illnesses will go around. Balance the occasional URI against the good you're doing in saving cats who might otherwise not have a chance.

[K & L]

Kim
I really hate to hear your discouragement. Here is a very good guideline to follow when fostering. I know how frustrating an illness can be since we own 17 cats. You probably read about our flea fiasco we just recently went through. We had to medicate ALL cats, bomb the house, keep the cats away from the pesticide etc. It's not easy when things go wrong, but your efforts are well worth the aggravation. Please don't give up yet! Here's a little first fostering advice. I hope it helps:

It is strongly advised to only foster one litter of kittens at a time. You will soon find that one litter will demand a great deal of your time and it is important to care for litters properly and not be overwhelmed with the responsibility of two litters. If you do foster two litters of kittens, it is of utmost importance that they are kept in separate rooms with absolutely no contact between the two litters. One litter may become ill and placing two litters together will expose all kittens to illness and disease. It is extremely important for you to follow a quarantine guideline. Kittens should be kept in a confined or quarantined room for at least three weeks. Even after the three-week quarantine time, it is still advised to keep both litters separate, even until the time of their departure for surgery. Always wash your hands thoroughly after caring for all foster kittens, whether you are caring for one litter or two this will help minimize any health problems. Fostering is demanding work and it is wise to start out slowly and as time goes by you will begin to know your limits. This quarantine also applies to your pets at home. It is VERY important to seclude them until all questions of illness has past.

[moosmom]

Kim,


a side effect of having a major depressive illness.

Me too!! Don't blame yourself for the URI's. It happens in ALL multi-cat households. Right now Fawnie has a URI. That's one of the reasons why I'm not letting her out.

Like CatsinDenver said, even if you don't have any rescues in your house, you're still gonna get stuff like that. It is true. When I first moved here, Mollie Rose had a URI, on top of kitty asthma and allergies.

I also think Rose has a point. Why not join a rescue organization. This way the whole shibang isn't always on your shoulders. You'll have others to help with the overload. There also comes a time when you burn out. I think (please don't take offense cuz it happened to me) that's is what is happening here. You are overwhelmed by everything that is going on. You need to step back, an possibly take a breather from the whole situation. I did and I have a new perspective on rescue. Please do yourself a favor...take a break if you can. You'll feel a whole lot better and the situation won't seem so impossible.

Good luck, hon. If you want to talk, call me. I'm here for you, as is everyone here on PetTalk.

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[big kitty hugs]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

Donna

[slick]

Kim, please rethink this through before making any drastic decisions. I agree with Rosethecopycat in that working with a rescue organization could take the pressure off. We know you do good work and those of us who can't do your good work look forward to your messages and pictures. Please don't blame yourself.

As Donna says "I'm here for you, as is everyone here on PetTalk."
We are here for you and encouraging you every step of the way.

[lute]

don't stop!!!
i have had things happen all the time when i do my part.but it always makes me feel happy when it's all over. you have and will hopefully prevent futer litters andknowing that is i think the best thing that can happen.

please don't stop we need people like you,and many more.

[kimlovescats]

You all are absolutely THE BEST! Yes, I am very overwhelmed right now, not to mention sleep-deprived!!! I don't want to quit rescuing ... but I also don't want to cause more harm than good.
Assuming, hoping, PRAYING that this will all pass ..... I will at least have learned another very painful, but VALUABLE lesson! It seems I am famous for having to learn everything the HARD way... but the one good thing :rolleyes: about that is that I usually don't make the same mistake twice!!!!

I hope and pray that this all is just a bad nightmare, and one day I will wake up and everything will be ok again. :(

Thanks so much again for being wonderfully supportive friends!!!

I love you all!!!!!!!!

[carole]

Dearest Kim,
I have always read your threads and been in awe of you, you are just the most amazing person, I am so sorry to hear about what has happened, and i can understand you must be feeling low, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE i beg of you DONT STOP, i cannot believe for one minute you could be doing more harm than good, those darling little kitties out there NEED YOU kim, you are the BEST and dont ever doubt that ok.
I hope your spirits can be lifted and you get some much needed sleep and feel better about everything. GOOD LUCK my thoughts are with you.:)

[L. Wayne]

Kim, All cats are vulnerable to "airborne" diseases. If the URI is bothering you, I generally have a sick cat at least once every two months. If it isn't URI it is something else. Whenever you have a multi-cat household, these things are bound to happen. Especially during this time of year, URI and eye infections are common. Don't quit doing what you are doing. Get some rest, and enjoy your life once in a while. Go outside and enjoy the spring. Take a day off, when you are able. Is there another person whom you can turn the kitties over to for a day or two, without taking them out of your house? You are doing a great, and much needed service. Please do not stop.


.....................wayne

[kimlovescats]

Every one of you are blessings to know! Thank you so much for all of the support, encouragement and general love! I DO love helping these kitties, and I DON'T want to stop helping any that I can. I am looking at this now as a learning experience, and taking in everything I can for future reference. Hey, I am comfortable with giving shots now :eek: so maybe I will start giving my own vaccines in the future. I can buy them from our Co-op and save on the vet visits, etc.

I know all things happen for a divine purpose, and there is NO DOUBT that having each of you in my life has been a miracle in itself!

Love and (((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))) to you ALL!:)

[CameozMom]

Don't let this get you down. There are lots of cats out there that need good homes. Unfortunately, there aren't as many people who are willing to take the time and find them homes! The people that do take the time are one of the earth's most priceless jewels. In the eyes of the animal you are finding a home for, you are their savior...the person who never gave up on them! Just because there happens to be a couple of bumps in the road doesn't mean that you should pull over and stop. Keep going....because at the end of the journey, lots of cats will have homes...just because of one special person! ;)

[carole]

GOOD ON YOU KIM, thats the spirit, looking at it as a learning experience, we are never too old to learn, i am so pleased you sound more cheerful and not so despondant, we are all on this earth for a special reason kim, and i think you know yours, those lovely little fluffballs need you and i know you will always be there for them, hugs to you and take care of yourself, have some precious time out and spoil yourself a little, you deserve it.:)

[Steffi N]

What happened was not your fault. There may have been some things you could have done differently, but blame, if there is any, should go to the people who left your kitties homeless in the first place. You are an angel. When this crisis passes, and I heartfully hope with a happy resolution, then take a break, enjoy the spring and do something for yourself. Helping a rescue organization sounds like a wonderful idea.

Purrs are coming your way.

[smokey the elder]

Two years ago I was overwhelmed with fosters (I had ten plus my own.) Now I make it a rule not to take more than one litter of kittens and one socialization project at a time. If I have too many and they get sick, it's not really helping. It's better to do what you can and do it well.

Good luck and hugz.

[kimlovescats]

Thank you all for your support and great advice!

Yes, I can clearly see now that I jumped in way too "gung - ho"!!!
I should have started with one litter or a couple of adults and waited until they were placed. I just was so excited and anxious to make a difference, that I just couldn't say to no to anyone!!! :rolleyes: Well, I have certainly learned my lesson now... and I truly appreciate all the great advice!

;)

[Russian Blue]

I believe everything in life teaches us a lesson, one way or another. See this as a learning experience, and keep moving forward. Someone mentioned about volunteering with a rescue organization. This seems like an excellent idea, and will give you the experience at a slower, less overwhelming pace.

Keep your chin up and don't let this one event prevent you from positively contributing to the world around you !!

;)

[catmandu]

Sometimes Kim , tese things do happen . I have not had sick cats , but I have had many times when they dont like each other , fight and there are spots in my house where the Toms have sprayed , even after they are neutered. But dont give up .because if we dont stop and care , Who Will!

[kimlovescats]

I'm not giving up... but I am definitely going to take a big SLOW DOWN! ;)

Need to place most of the ones I have now before taking any more in ... and then I think it will be ONE at a time!

Thanks for all the support!:)

[HayleyRosie]

It's great to hear you are going to continue. Please keep us updated on the fosters you have now and post on your new ones when they arrive. I think you are doing great!