Huge outside cat problem, needing assistance! Any advice,solutions?
Ok this is going to be one LONG babbling post. I am sorry if I make no sense. But I need any help, advice, suggestions on this one.
As some may remember, There is a drug addict woman in my neighborhood. She has many cats, probably around 20-30. Well not anymore. I just found out yesterday that someone(s) is shooting them. With a rifle and a pellet gun. Also with poison that they are putting out. Many have already been found dead, or went missing.
I do understand that neighbors are sick and tired of her neglect. I do. But killing them/harming them is not the answer.
Her son came to my house yesterday, wanting to know if I had seen his cat. I would have said no, but them Amos, one of a few cats I have been letting inside my house at night (for safety) came running up. He wanted his cat, But I noticed his leg was swollen and had a small hole in in. I grabbed him up, and noticed that it was a pellet shot in the back left foot. I asked the boy if he knew what had happened. His response " Yes a few neighbors have been killing our cats, and our dog" I said "How do you know" He said " They killed our dog with a shotgun, and told me to keep them off of his property". I was stunned. I told him to tell him mother to call me IMMEDIATELY.
Since the mother is a suspected drug addict, I knew this probably was NOT the best idea. Ten minutes later a knock on the door...
I was irate. Boiling mad. Answered the door, walked outside. I started off by saying If she knew her cats were getting shot, why would she put them back outside to get hurt? Her response, they pee on her clothes. Get them fixed and they wont do it anymore was my comeback. Also about fixing them,with the cat overpopulation. Again as she said before, I only have one female cat, and she is the only one having kittens. :mad: :mad:
I asked her where were all the cats that had been coming to my house to eat. Her response... They were either shot or poisoned. Orange one? dead. Grey one? dead. Babies that I heard about(5)? dead. calico? dead. Tortie? dead.
All but 6 are dead or missing. And she STILL lets them outside.
Now the other day, the brown tabby came to my house hungry, and I took him inside. He also had a hole in his leg, which I THOUGHT was a bite from a cat fight, now I realize it was a pellet gun. I usually bring in 2-3 cats. Andy, Amos, and the tabby.
I then said some not so nice things to her. Asked what she was going to do with Amos, the white and black cat that was shot in the foot. She said her mother was coming over to get him and take him to the vet( which she didnt) so he is now in my spare bedroom with Tabby boy.
I told her point blank, that Andy, was staying with me. He stays at my house 99% of the time. He is happy here. I wont allow her to neglect and abuse him anymore.
She does not even feed these cats. Her exact words to me were "They dont get cat food. I have them to catch mice" :eek: :mad:
I also asked her why she would let a pregnant cat outside in the first place.. She said because she kept tearing into her loaf of bread. NO S***!!! She was probably starving, and when put outside got into the poison because she has nothing else to eat.
POINT OF THIS THREAD....
The end of our conversation was as nasty as the beginning. She said she was moving out on the 6th of this month. That rats and mice were eating through her clothes. *shows that the cats didnt eat much, huh* She was taking the 2 cats with her, and the other 4 with her mother. They will remain outside cats if they dont get killed first.
I immediately called Melissa(doolittleky). She said that maybe she could help. I also called Lynda (Lizzie) to see if she knew of any shelters willing to help these cats. I am willing to take in atleast 4 of these cats if I can work out a transport or find willing fosters. Lynda immediately said that she would foster them and find them homes.
PROBLEM> Cost of each cat to get shipped there is ALOT. Transport through airline 80.00 per cat. atleast 30.00 per health certificate. 10-15 for rabies. I dont know how much for the carriers to use on the airline. And I called a vet today, that said they must have a distemper shot as well. That is 15.00 per cat for distemper. I could pay for the rabies, and one of the health certificates(maybe more if I can).
Me and Melissa are meeting within the next 2 weeks, and If ANYONE knows of anyone whom lives between North Carolina and Kentucky.. Or Is willing to drive to Kentucky or within 2 hours of Kentucky.. We can help drive there. All surrounding areas would be within reason. And then we would not need money donated to fly them. We would just need someone willing to take a cat.
I can not in good conscience let these cats back outside to die. I have 2 in my spare room right now. I know I can atleast get the third cat. BUT I can not keep them longer than a few weeks, as I already have 9 and with Saki coming to me..10. It is just too many for my small place. Plus my husband is letting me keep them inside. He is not happy at all.
Please any advice, suggestions, anyone willing to help one of these cats. I would be forever grateful. If all else fails, we could start a fund to try to get the money for them to go to Lynda. I am just at a loss.
I will post pictures of them from a few days ago.
