Two Orphaned Cats - Can you Help???

Hello,

I am writing this for a cat rescue friend of mine in Akron, Ohio. We are trying desperately to find a forever home for Freddy and Puddy, whose owner died recently leaving them orphans. Please read their story and help if you can!!!

www.cathappy.com/Rescue1.htm

Thanks, in advance, everyone - I just know we can do this!

Bari and the Pride (and Eric too)!

That's every elderly cat-owner's nightmare. Might there be a nursing home or some such place that needs elder-friendly kitties?

Thanks for the idea, Karen. If anyone here knows of a home, we'd love to hear about it...and we'll certainly check our local areas!!!

Bari

Karen has the right idea. I just looked up a bunch of assisted living communities in Akron, Ohio and surrounding areas and will call them tomorrow to see if they would be willing to take in one or both of the cats.

I've done pet therapy in convalescent and assisted living communities and it works wonders!! I will let you know how I make out.

Wish me luck!! I am hell bent on finding these poor guys a home. I only wish I could take them myself. :(

Donna, you're great! We really do hope to keep these two together if at all possible...they've been together so long - can you stress that??? thanks so much for your help!!!!

Bari

Donna, Eric wrote me after reading your plans and had this important point...

these cats are far too shy ~~~They need a Quiet home with NO dogs ~~~ A great Idea ~ I know the nursing homes far to well ~~ The last one had Two Great cats ~~~ But these cats are a project ~~ I can't get near them yet ~~ They are loving with whom they know

So it looks like its going to have to be with someone who can work with the cats just to befriend them...not an easy placement I'm afraid. I have a couple of cats who are much the same...so shy that only I can approach them. I know how this can be.

Bari

Bari,

Thanks for letting me know about the cats. With pet therapy, you have to have cats who are outgoing, don't mind being held and love being around people.

Let me do some research on it today and I'll see if I can come up with something. These cats need a quiet, loving home with someone who understands what these cats are all about.

One thing I'd cannot emphasize enough is making provisions for pets. Alot of people get their ducks in order, i.e., a will. When making those arrangements, REMEMBER YOUR PETS!!! Ask family members, friends if it's possible for them to adopt them should anything happen to you. Put it in writing (I did!!) exactly what it is you want. Provide for their care (monetarily) in your will. Many times people think they have time to do that and put it off. Unfortunately, time does not work that way. You could die tomorrow (like that poor man did, leaving his pets in limbo). For the sake of your pets, DO IT NOW!!! Even if it's on a plain old piece of paper that's notarized.

I'll get off my soapbox now and keep you posted on how I make out.

Donna, I couldn't agree more. We have 10 cats. We're almost 60. Our famiy is as animal crazy as we are and already have many of their own...thus the need for providing for them in our wills.

Here in Houston we have a unique lady who runs Cat Nap Estates. She cares for animals provided for in wills and has a back up system set up should something happen to her.

Thanks again for helping with Freddy and Puddy. Please feel free to correspond directly with Eric on any questions or info you get...I just stepped in because I was already a COTD member.

Bari

I sure hope they can find a home together that will love them for the rest of their lives.

Thank You Sammi ~My prayer also~~ This is Eric, the man who is trying to help Rescue Freddy & Puddy here in Akron, Ohio. My Email is [email protected] and my phone is 330- 864-2879. We have 14 cats we care for, and I just can't keep them myself. PLEASE if you know anyone or can link us to other sites.
Our fosters are swamped with the new Cat trap and Kill law they just passed here in Akron Ohio. www.Saveourcats.org We are trying to fight it. ~~~ If you can Help Freddy & Puddy PLEASE let me know ~~ { A special thanks to Bari D. without her help I couldn't have done this}
Thank you to Moosmom for you post

Well, I've just about exhausted all the options I had with no success :( :( . I went online and got phone numbers for shelters and sanctuaries in Ohio. Because of the new, cruel "law" on the books in Ohio, all the shelters are to capacity. I've called all of them anyway to see if there was a possibility of even fostering Freddy and Puddy until a home can be found. For the first time in my life I groveled. No can do. :(

If anyone has any other suggestions on what else I can try, other than taking them in myself, since I have 7 cats already and am in the middle of moving to Michigan, please let me know.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Donna you are a sweetheart for trying. ~~ Your call gave us all a boost ~Thank You !!! ~ Akron Ohio is a tough place to be for a Cat right now http://www.saveourcats.org/ ~~~~~~~~

Freddy and Puddy Story & Photos at http://www.cathappy.com/Rescue1.htm

We won't always know whose lives we touched and made better for our having cared, because actions can sometimes have unforeseen ramifications. What's important is that you do care and you act.


-- Charlotte Lunsford

;) Thanks Eric! It was great talking to you last night.

I have one more idea though. How about contacting one of the newspapers in the Akron area about doing a story on Freddy and Puddy's plight. As a matter of fact...since I work at a newspaper myself, I'll see what I can do from my end. The only thing I'll need is a contact person. I think if we put their story in the local area Akron newspaper, someone will come forward and offer them a forever home.

I'm on a roll again!! I love a challenge!!! :p :p

I'm too far away to do anything but offer lots of prayers and hope. But best of luck to the two babies. Keep us posted.

Logan

Good idea...a little drama might be just the thing - especially with all the controversy around the killing of all cats in the area.

http://www.cathappy.com/Rescue1.htm

Bari

Oh Bari, you DO flatter me so :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I just talked to Eric and he has graciously offered to speak to the newspapers. I'm also going to try the local tv stations as well.

I'm off and running again! I'll let ya know what happens.:eek:

I've contacted 4 tv stations and am awaiting return calls. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED!!!!

Absolutily Donna ~~I am that Contact Person " Eric Schickendantz 330-864-2879 [email protected] Akron Ohio

What EVER It takes to find these guys a home !!! I can also drive then to a new home. This one we have to win !!! Every thing else is going against them right now ~~ One hell of an uphill battle ~~~ Here in Akron even kittens are going unadopted we are so overwhelmed with that new Trap & Kill law. We need a small Cat Miracle here in Akron Ohio ~~~

Please Read Freddy's Story ~~~~~ http://www.cathappy.com/Rescue1.htm

Logan ~Thank you for you caring words ~ Helps alot

I spoke with my editor here at the Hartford Courant about the Akron ordinance and gave him a copy of it. He is going to run something in our newspaper, for what it's worth. Just thought you'd like to know.

BTW Eric, you should be getting a phone call from a gentleman by the name of John Bell. He is the news director at Channel 19 in Cleveland. Maybe this is our saving grace :confused:

Thank you Donna ~~~ I'll say a prayer that he calls ~~~

This is such a sad situation. As I have two dogs in their middle years, this is my worst fear.

MOOSMOM ~~~~ Ya got through Girl ~~~ BLESSINGS TO YOU ~~~ Scott at Cannel 19 in Cleveland Ohio called me and they MAY do a story. They have been doing work with "Save our Cats" in Akron ~~~ Say a prayer ~~~~~I CAN'T thank you enough for this chance for Freddy and Puddy ~~~~~ I will keep you posted ~~~ Namaste ~
Eric

"We won't always know whose lives we touched and made better for our having cared, because actions can sometimes have unforeseen ramifications. What's important is that you do care and you act.":D :D :D :D :D :D

That's such good news, Eric. Moosmom, you're an angel! I can't believe that someone won't adopt them after seeing them and hearing their story on TV. All paws, fingers & tails crossed here that Freddy & Puddy find a new forever home!

This actually gives us some hope here...not only for Freddy and Puddy, but other cats/kittens in the Akron area to be saved!!!

Eric, I know you are thrilled with the possibility to really get the WORD out there - We'll keep praying for Freddy and Puddy and for all the precious furrbabies in similar and even worse situations there - there are hundreds dying each WEEK!!! I look forward to your next update!

Bari et al

Freddy and Puddy's story...www.cathappy.com/Rescue1.htm

A Flightless Bird called Faith
began to carry boulders:
for years she took these weights
strapped between her shoulders
and as you might expect
the sweat poured like a Fountain
but only time will tell
if Faith can move a Mountain ...........

Thanks everyone! I didn't do it for me, but for Puddy and Freddy. I'm saying a little prayer that with the exposure they get on TV, they'll find a home. How can they not??? And besides, I love a challenge.

Eric, again, it was a pleasure talking to you. If they don't go along with showing the cats at their house, let me know and I'll make other phone calls to other stations. Hopefully we can find someone who's willing to do that. Also, if the lawyer gives you a hard time, call the Bar Association. Another suggestion would be to call the guy's aunt and have her present. Since she was his aunt, she should be able to call the shots at some point.

Stay safe. ;)

I spoke with the Program Director at WEWS Channel 5 in Cleveland. He said that they have a program every other Tuesday that features pets for adoption. I told him the story of Puddy and Freddy and he said that as long as the cats are healthy and don't have aids or leukemia, they will feature them on their next program!!!! I gave him Eric's number and am waiting anxiously!

That's wonderful news, Donna! The more the word can get out about these two, the more likely they will be adopted. Thanks for doing all the "leg work" on this. You're really a savior and I don't know how you're going to give all this up once you move to MI. Seems you really thrive on it. :)

Yeah, I do thrive on it. But I also am burned out. I've been in animal rescue for 4 years and have fostered ALOT of cats (my back bedroom has been referred to as the kitten room and has almost never been without a cat or kitten in it.) I also did alot of PR work for a rescue organization here in CT. My kid was shocked when I told her I'll be glad when I move to Michigan and leave all the rescue behind me. Now, whether or not I volunteer at a shelter when I get there is totally another story :D . But for the time being, I'm going to take a long needed break.

Well ~~ the News is mixed ~~ the head of the Cleveland Animal Protective League called. they do the show on cannel 5 News and they are NOT a no kill facility. Anyway Freddy and Puddy would have to go to there facility ~In cages for 30 days and then go on the program ~~ Can I get them over there shyness ?~~~ Not sure ~ these babies are shy the have lived all there lives in the country home with there now deceased dad of 72 years. they are sill in that home with the 85 year old Aunt caring for them. What to Do ~~ The house is selling and the Cats have to go ~~~~ I still have some time ~~ Not much ~~~~ I don't feel right on this one ~they have never been in cages before ~They have each other in a surrounding the know, there life will be in turmoil all to soon ~ I was hoping to let them stay at there home til I find them a forever home ~~Not a cage ~~It is all about Quality of Life for me ~There must be a better way ????????? Eric :confused:

We need a temporary home for these two - a safe house where they can stay until we have time to find a forever home. Cages for these two for 30 days might kill them. I'm sorry, but we have to hope for more. Surely someone up there can take them temporarily!!!!

Eric, what is the timeframe for closing of the house?

Bari

Freddy and Puddy's house is being sold by the Attorneys ~ I think "Ray" the deceased man owed money for care while dying of cancer ~~ The state of Ohio has some claim ~~ Just don't know ~~ It could be a week or a month ~~~ I have found a shelter in Ashland Ohio that will help. I still have Hope for Donna's {Moosmom} friend at channel 19, different than Channel 5 ~~~ I will speak with him soon. Donna is still working on this ! ~~~ I have been Emailed from people who are trying to help {Thank You}~~ Some really great people ~ :)

Eric and Bari,

I whole heartedly agree with you. The cats would probably become very depressed if they aren't already from the loss of their human. Being in a cage is no quality of life for these babies. I wish there was something else I could do. Eric, I say go with your gut feeling. :( Unfortunately time is of the essence and I will not be out in Michigan until September 1. My furniture won't arrive for 5-7 days after that.

There is another cat site I can try to see if anyone there is from the area that might be able to foster them until a home can be found. I've tried calling shelters in the area to see if they have any foster homes available and they don't. Kitten season is tough. Especially this year since the weather was so mild. That's why we're inundated with kittens.

Oh and BTW Eric, that guy from Channel 5 never called me back. I'm going to try and give him a call tomorrow when I get into work and see what he can do. I'm not sure, but our television news director who gave me the stations phone numbers I think is from around the area. If so, his father feeds feral cats near his office (he's an attorney). Maybe he can do something. I'll find out more when I get to work.

I'm sorry the tv stations didn't work out. Imagine that, keeping these babies in a cage for 30 days. That's bull!!

:(

You're working so hard and I know your own life is busy now...thanks from the bottom of my heart - and Eric's too, I know.

It really looks like we are close!!!! There has to be an answer. Maybe in some of the emails Eric is finally receiving...Don't lose faith...we have a bit of time and, Donna, you've already come up with another possibility or two...

When in doubt, punt!

Bari

Such a frustrating situation. Have you tried contacting retirement communities, to see if there is an older person who would like to take over the care of these two furry friends?

Also, having seen some older cats at the shelter where I volunteer, they do tolerate cages when they are placed in the same cage and given enough room with their old bedding. I am sure they are not happy, but they survive the experience. The shelter where I volunteer is very nice and is a no kill one. They treat their residents with such care and concern. That is not to say that these two cats will be ok with a cage. You guys know them, I don't!

I hope all works out for these guys!

Keep us posted. I wish I could help. Living in Vermont isn't much help for you.

:(

God bless you for the work you are doing.

I started a thread at another cat site in the hopes that someone from the area would see it and call. Eric, I also listed your phone number and e-mail. Please keep me posted.

Hey Donna, don't you know it's cold and snows a lot in the winter in Michigan???? Connecticut is mild in comparison!!! And, this bald dude you mention...I hope he appreciates you for who you are! Pretty impressive after all!

Bari

Thanks to all the wonderful people who have Emailed me with there Kind words and prayers, and are trying to help Freddy and Puddy. It gives me strength to know you are out there~~ Sad to report no real progress ~ Just another hot day in Ohio ~~ All I know is ~ Freddy and Puddy will NEVER be put down ~~ If they have to stay in my bedroom ~ I have found a few fosters ~~ But they would have to be caged ~~I am still holding out for that " Forever Home" PLEASE Understand !!!!!! and please forward there story, to those that could help ~~ http://www.cathappy.com/Rescue1.htm

We won't always know whose lives we touched and made better for our having cared, because actions can sometimes have unforeseen ramifications. What's important is that you do care and you act