DESPERATE! home for blind kitty needed!

[Sara Manasseh]

I took in a wonderful stray cat a few months ago. She came to my home begging for food. She is completely blind in one eye, and has such bad cataracts in the other eye that she is functionally blind in that eye, too. She is a small, grey tabby who is resilient, affectionate, and playful. I call her Cora.

I am on disability and have had to move to a rural area recently that provides no rental housing options for someone with pets. I have to find a home for Cora and a home for my dog.

Please help me so that Cora can live in a loving environment with folks who will treat her tenderly and with consideration for her blindness.

She is spayed and is current on her shots. She tested negative for feline leukemia. She has no known health problems. She apparently had kittens at some point, because her belly skin is loose. She seems to be young, though, given how much she likes to play. She weighs in at 7 pounds.

Her sense of hearing is astounding to me! Also her survival instincts. She knows if I drop one grain of rice on a carpeted floor 5 feet from where she's sitting. The way that I've found she likes to play involves me dragging string along the floor, which she chases by listening for the sound. She rejoices in that game. (She also rejoices whenever I'm tying my shoes. I have to lift my feet up high if I don't want to spend my time entertaining her rather than getting my shoes tied.)

I absolutely hate having to give her away. She has won my heart. I am sure she would win the heart of any cat lover.

The tenderest moments with her are when she seeks me out to sit in my lap or to lie down on my stomach or on my back, if I'm lying down. She prefers to be close and connected like that. I think she feels safer sitting or lying on me than not. She sometimes uses that time to clean herself, as if finally she can completely relax and tend to self-care if she's on my lap, since nothing and no one is going to come too near to her or threaten her there; she feels protected.

But she is not shy or timid around other people or other animals. She is undaunted. Outside, though, she'll run away from people and from animals unless she can hear that their voice is familiar or that their snuffling nose is familiar.

Thank you for any help you can give. I have three weeks to find a home for her. After that, I will have no way to take care of her, unless someone else takes her in.

She gets along great with other cats and with dogs. She is able to get around very well, considering her handicap. When she bumps into something, or something or some pet bumps her, she shakes it off right away and just keeps on going.

She is a number one cat, a true hero among cats. She survived the Michigan winter eating out of garbage bags, keeping clear of the cars which travel 55 mph along the adjacent road, and avoiding fights with the many feral cats which eke out a living in this area. The first time I caught a glimpse of her, she was feeling her way through the 4 feet of snow in the yard to get to the food I had left for her at the back door. This cat is amazing.

With hope,
Sara Manasseh
[email protected]

[Karen]

Where do you live? About how old is she?

[kimlovescats]

Oh, if I lived closer. I sure hope someone here on PT lives in your area and can help sweet Cora find a forever home!:(

[leslie flenner]

I sure hope someone here knows of some leads for you? Have you posted on the dog side about your dog? Don't landlords stink? Too bad you can't disguise them as children; dress them in clothes and teach them to walk upright and mumble to themselves- you'd have no problem then!
Welcome to pet talk!
If anyone knows how to duplicate this on to Cat General, she may get more assistance- cat general seems to get more people (or am i wrong about that?- It does seem so!) I recently learned that a nearby rescue group to me started a program for elderly- they hook up older cats with older people and help get the cat to it's appts etc. It's worth calling local rescue groups- the ones with money may have programs they don't advertise about publically or they may know of a just right home...worth a try..
Where in Mich are you?

[QueenScoopalot]

Cora sounds absolutely wonderful in disposition, and motivation to survive! :) I subscribe to a number of different handicapped pets boards. This is one example under Yahoo Groups. You have to sign up, and you can request the option of daily digest form, or can go right to the individual website.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Disabled-Cats-Rescue/join
There's several hundred groups started up there, and this is only one example of a very active decent group. It's a good idea to stick with a group that is active with a lot of members, and has a moderator. Spammers like stalking these sites for some reason. Another place you may want to post is www.handicappedpets.com There's a message board to post about her. There's many transportation groups also available but I don't have the info at hand right now. But many animal lovers are willing to drive "X" amount of time or distance, and then another person will take on another leg of the trip etc. until the animal is in a new home! Be very careful with strangers adopting your pets. I can safely say I'd trust most anyone here to provide a safe new forever home for your pets, but there are others that will pose as animal lovers and (well I don't want to get into that):( :mad: As far as moving the thread to Cat General...all you do is copy the title page, go to Cat general, start new thread, then title and pasts this one there. (I think I could even do that to your post).:D

[moosmom]

Hi Sara!

Welcome to PT!! I'm glad Jan gave you some links to special needs rescue groups in your area. Hopefully someone will offer Cora a great home. There are alot of people here with big hearts as well that will listen and support your decision.

It's very difficult in a situation like yours to have to rehome your pets. They are your babies. But financially, you have no choice.

If you want to chat, here's my IM name on aol and yahoo. I'll be around. "Mooshoosmom" on both.

Good luck honey!

[Sara Manasseh]

many thanks and warm greetings to all of you who have responded to my posting!! since i don't have a computer, i have to snatch time on other peoples' computers, which means that it may take a few days for me to respond to each of you individually. but know that it means a lot to me that each of you cares!

warmly,
sara

[leslie flenner]

Of any organizations anywhere or any programs anywhere that can help with finding a special home for a blind female cat that gets along with cats and dogs? I don't know of any but doesn't someone out there?

[catcrazylady]

I am so sorry that I don't have any more advice to offer. Living with Magoo (blind adopted kitty) has been so rewarding. I hope you find somone who will give this girl the loving home she deserves. The links that have already been posted are the only ones I know of.
Prayers for you and Cora that all works out well!! Good luck and keep us posted when you can.

[leslie flenner]

that was super of you to post! i am worried about this cora (and injured kitty in above thread now too!). Too many out there! Thank you for posting. I had been hoping with you blind experience (!) you may know of something somewhere outhere but that's ok- guess you'll have to adopt cora for your magoo! I AM KIDDING!! HOUSE OVERLOAD! Again- thanks for posting and if you hear of anything helpful...Cora sounds like a doll!

[catcrazylady]

Does anyone know where she lives? It would be helpful to know the location as someone may know someone who knows someone might take her. You know how that goes!

[leslie flenner]

In Michigan is all I know! Just heard yesterday that it may be that she hasn't been on pt because of a tragedy within her spiritual community. She may be helping others get through this unfortunate incident. Hopefully she will be able to check in soon to let us know how it goes with the search etc! Her Cora and Peach sound like very sweet pets (peach is on dog rescue).

[Sara Manasseh]

hello to all of you helping me with this urgent search! yes, a tragedy has happened among my group of friends; but i still want to work very hard to find a home, or at least a temporary home, for Cora (and for my older dog).

i live in central Michigan. i'm hoping that if i can't find a permanent home for Cora within the next 8 days (my deadline), then perhaps i could find a temporary home to buy more time?

gotta go. i'm on a friend's computer and it's getting late. i love you all for all your help and empathy!

Sara

[leslie flenner]

did you check out the website jan sent? what happens to cora and peach after 8 days if no home is found? keep us posted!

[Sara Manasseh]

hi!

i've posted in handicappedpets.com so far, and am communicating with Bestfriends. i'm needing to locate rescue groups in michigan -- computers and searches for stuff like that are not my forte, which is why you all are such a blessing to me(in addition to your encouragement and comfort)!

i'm putting in a few pictures of this great kitty...

thanks ten billion!!

sara

[QueenScoopalot]

Sara, Cora is gorgeous! Has she been checked for glaucoma? I rescued a kitty several years back who had glaucoma in one of her eyes, and the vets removed it to relieve her of pain. Is the eye that bulges out the one with cataracts? I hope you can find some help through the links I posted, and that the Yahoo groups one isn't too complicated! Jan

[Sara Manasseh]

cora is hard to photograph because she trots after you as soon as you put her down and try to back up to take a picture!

after 8 days she has to either go to a new temporary home or to the local humane society (NO! NO! NOT THAT!)

i think i should concentrate on finding a temporary home, at this point(?)

[Sara Manasseh]

she's about one year old or so (that's a guess)..

[leslie flenner]

from MI but I don't know if they are aware of rescue groups and how to get a hold of them! Moosmom said you could pm her! have you? She's somewhere in MI. Call every shelter and vet- they will all have at least one group or more! They are not listed in phone books for good reason! (not enough foster homes) But they must be there!

[catmandu]

If you are close To Hamilton,Ontario,we are able to find space at the Found Cats Hotel!

[leslie flenner]

I'll have to check my map! Hope Sara sees this soon! Are you serious!

[Sara Manasseh]

ontario is just north of us but where's my map so i can locate Hamilton? what good news that there's a possibility out there!!!

answers to questions: the vet didn't mention glaucoma. she said that Cora didn't seem to be experiencing pain in that enlarged eye, but that damaged tear ducts might necessitate removing the eyeball at some later date. the other eye (the one that's not got a film over it) is the one with the cataracts.

i pm'd moosmom. and i'll call shelters and vets in the region about rescue groups. thanks for the tip!! also i plan to post signs at the local senior center and at local churches (another good tip!)

sara

[Sara Manasseh]

but the question of the day is: where is Hamilton??? and how can i best get Cora there?????

[leslie flenner]

I'll try a map quest of Hamilton- what should be starting point- just MI? I wonder if that would work? Anyone out there know? QSL?

[Karen]

Due east of you! Directions and map from MapQuest.com

1:�_
Start out going South on W COURHOUSE DR toward WASHINGTON ST.
<0.1 miles
Map

2:�_
Turn LEFT onto WASHINGTON ST.
0.4 miles
Map

3:�_
WASHINGTON ST becomes US-10 E.
105.4 miles
Map

4:�_
Merge onto I-75 S/US-23 S toward FLINT/DETROIT.
36.6 miles
Map

5:�_
Merge onto I-475 S/UAW FRWY toward DOWNTOWN FLINT.
10.4 miles
Map

6:�_
Merge onto I-69 E via exit number 6 toward PORT HURON.
62.7 miles
Map

7:�_
Take the exit on the left.
0.6 miles
Map

8:�_
Merge onto I-69 E/I-94 E via the exit- on the left- toward CANADA (Portions toll).
3.8 miles
Map

9:�_
I-69 E/I-94 E becomes PROVINCIAL ROUTE 402 E.
63.8 miles
Map

10:�_
Take the RTE-401 E/HWY-401 E exit toward TORONTO.
0.7 miles
Map

11:�_
Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 401 E.
31.0 miles
Map


12:�_
Take the HWY-403 exit- exit number 235- toward BRANTFORD/HAMILTON.
0.7 miles
Map

13:�_
Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 403 E.
43.3 miles
Map

14:�_
Take the MAIN ST./HWY-8 E/RTE-8 E exit.
0.2 miles
Map

15:�_
Stay straight to go onto MAIN ST W/PROVINCIAL ROUTE 2 E/PROVINCIAL ROUTE 8 E. Continue to follow MAIN ST W/PROVINCIAL ROUTE 8 E.
3.0 miles
Map


16:�_
Turn LEFT onto MELROSE AVE S.
0.2 miles
Map

17:�_
End at Hamilton ON
Map


Total Est. Time:�_ 6 hours, 16 minutes
Total Est. Distance: 636 miles

[leslie flenner]

Catmandu- we are waiting for answer! Are you serious? I am sure he must be! He seems so kind from the posts I've read! Maybe you can email or pm him- Sara- go to his post and click on "profile" - you will see if he has an email address available or not.
Karen! Great job! Mapquest wouldn't let me without her town which I had left blank not knowing! Sara, if you don't have a car- do you have friends that can help? Don't forget to read great suggestion in cat general regarding Peach regarding having md vouch for her- don't know if my email got through to you or not! (I think it was STE's idea and a good one!)

[Sara Manasseh]

i emailed catmandu. i haven't figured out the stuff about cat general... sorry, leslie! my brain won't work too well right now. (what were you saying about cat general?) i think i'll have to go beyond the few people i know here, and get transport help (to Ontario) from either my good friend Tina in Colorado, or from cat lovers in this general area. RichB from handicappedpets offered financial help. (if i'm repeating myself in these messages, please bear with me!)

sara

[leslie flenner]

No, you are not repeating yourself! Someone offered financial help? That's super! Hope you and Catmandu can really work something out!
Do keep us posted!
PS to Moosmom- Credit to you for idea on Cat General regarding using MD to vouch for need of pets- my memory had slipped because STE and posted a supportive and encouraging note close after your post! My apologies!
Sara- you must be frazzled by all this and moving etc. Just keep in mind, one day, all will be "sane" again...There is light at the end of all the chaos.

[Sara Manasseh]

hello, all! a woman in NC who, along with her daughter, takes care of 5 blind cats has offered to provide Cora a home. I pm'd catmandu to get more info on what he was so graciously offering, but i haven't heard back yet. i think i should let Cora live in NC with some soulmate cats, in a home/yard designed to be safe and fun specifically for cats who can't see.

so, the search for a home for Cora seems to have come to a beautiful conclusion, not to mention all the heartfelt and encouraging messages posted and the two (count 'em, two!) homes that were offered in addition to the one that was accepted. sigh!

my next task is to find transport for Cora. her new owner has offered to pick her up in Raliegh. i'll be posting under "TRANSPORT needed for blind kitty!" about Cora's trip. you all also let me know about yahoo groups devoted to transport, of which i've joined a few.

pixie: does Jackie want to meet Cora? (just thought i'd ask...)

lovingly,
sara

[QueenScoopalot]

Sara, That's great news! Glad Cora has finally found a safe haven, but now there's still Peach to worry about. :( Gee..maybe the caravan heading to N.C can stop here and pick up two blind babies. (Just kidding..they're too young anyway).

[leslie flenner]

Great news for you and Cora! I do hope the transport groups work out for you! I'll bet they take some time to put together though! From your town, do you have anyone to start out? Also re: mom, I doubt she has time to meet your love bug! She is in school and doing political volunteer work but I would like to know what town Cora is going to! I am so happy for you! Wish I lived along the route, I would definately volunteer!

[Sara Manasseh]

I'll post all the good news about Cora on a new thread, "Good news! Blind kitty has a new home and a way there!!"

love,
Sara

[felinefanatic]

Hi Sara, I was just reading all of your posts and replies about Cora, I usually avoid the "Cat Rescue" forum because it is depressing and makes me so sad for all the homeless kitties but for some reason I logged on the forum today. I am so happy that their is a happy ending for you and Cora!! I was worried you were not going to find a home for her. It sounds like you really lucked out with the home you found for her, I think she will be very happy there. I saw her picture she sure is a cute little thing:D :D I am so glad all of your efforts in finding her a home payed off. I know you will miss her very much, so if you get to feeling a little bit blue, you know you will always have a friend here at "Pet talk" to help get you through it.:) :)