Update on my volunteering experience
Everyone has been so incredibly kind and wanting and willing to do something to help. As I get more involved I may be able to tell you what is needed but let me explain more as I have learned more myself.
The biggest problem is the space issue!! They simply have NO ROOM! An old three bedroom house is not enough space for this many cats. I am discovering that these are some pretty amazing people who truly love these animals. They cry when one has to be PTS. They fight tooth and nail to save these animals!!
The cages are kept as clean as I could imagine any place being able to keep them. The floors are mopped constantly with bleach water. Fresh water and food are always available and constantly checked. Food and water bowls are spotless. Laundry is done constantly and fress bedding is provided to each cat as needed. Litter boxes are changed out several times a day. They have recently put in a new air filtration system in hopes that it will help cut down on the spreading of germs. Each room also has a portable air cleaner.
Thankfully there is no shortage of medication. Most of these cats are medicated twice a day. All food is donated by Science Diet and they even supply some feral colonies.
I was told that since they stopped the open rooms they have 97% success rate!! YEA to that!! They too are sad that the cats can't get out but as they keep pointing out to me it beats the alternative!! I was told that eventually most of the cats are able to overcome their illness then they move them out to the stores and hopefully rehome them.
No well kitten is ever left in the shelter. The are all sent to foster care so they don't get sick. That was good news since placing kittens is a whole lot easier than an older cat.
There is not a "no kill shelter" for dogs here so they go to the pound and take any dog that they deem adoptable and try to place them. They also do not bring in puppies because they also foster them out so they don't get sick. The only puppies that are there are a few that they attempt to keep isolated for two weeks while they watch for Parvo. They have wide open pens and dog houses outside for the bigger older dogs. They are really sad that they can't keep them inside but I'm sure they are healthier out in the fresh air than they would be inside. I know it's cold but it beats being sick!!
SPACE is the whole problem here! I was told that they have a bill before the city council now trying to get a larger building. I plan to get more involved with trying to get public awareness. My sister-in-law and best friend is the Director of the Chamber of Commerce and I was talking to her about the situation. She was totally unaware and said that she was going to think on how they could help. Step one in progress!!!
I can really stir things up by contacting the media and all that but I want to be careful about what I do because I don't want someone to come in and say that because of this over crowding that a bunch of these cats that can eventually get well have to be put down. I could not live with that!!
Update on the few cats I mentioned. The very sick and sad white fluffy kitty was PTS last night when the vet came in. I feel like he is now at peace.
The little kitten that was so sick looked a lot better last night. Her stool has hardened up and I did not here her wheeze. She has pnuemonia and I'm hoping she will hang in there. She was improved last night. Another YEA!!!
There is one ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL tabby that I was told came in perfectly healthy. He is leash trained and came from what sounds like a fairly good home. He came to the shelter as a product of divorce. He was adopted quickly but he got sick anyway and they returned him. He now has URI and last night they found a large blister/ulcer on his eye. He is the sweetest thing!! He is only sick because he was brought there. That is what is so so sad.
I held and loved lots of kitties last night and it was wonderful. I met and got to know many more last night. I will not be going back until Monday night. I wish I could give them more time but the two late nights have already taken their toll. I'm worn out and I have to spend time with my babies. So the plan right now is Monday and Thursday nights I will be there and Saturdays when I'm needed.
What I would like to request from all you wonderful PT friends is that you pray and pray hard for these animals and this shelter. I would like for you to also pray for me that I do the right things to help these animals and these people. I do not want to get so gung ho that I end up hurting them. I know the power of PT prayers and I really believe there is hope here. They just need a larger space for isolation and room for more cages. If there is more needed I will let everyone know.
Thanks to you all for all your kind words and thoughts and for supporting me through this. I couldn't quit volunteering now if I wanted to. I can't just walk away no matter how much it hurts!
Checked out the web sight
Had to assure myself that they really had one and got all the info needed. They WILL be hearing from me, I promise you that!
Now, for a toy.. How about some of those plastic Easter eggs glued together. They can slap those around to their hearts content and are plastic so they will bounce all over and can be cleaned often. Anyone have a good stash of those? I have one that my son ran a shoe string through and it is tied on the back of my kitchen chair (for going on 2 YEARS now!) that these kitties play with for hours. It can be tied on the roof of their cage (if it is opened) and they can slap at it and watch it swing.. Just look around the house, my kitties play with ANYTHING! Any old 35mm canisters? I use to put a few beans or a bell in my old ones and they would have a ball.. Even those empty spools of thread. Hay, kitties do not care of you paid $100 for it or got it from the garbage, if it is slapable, they'll play with it!
added note; I have emailed and asked if it is ok if I mail them the blankets I have done so far.:) :) :)
