help in adopting out kitties

[Princess_Snow]

I have just found 2 kittens at work . I have yet to start TNR with the ferals in that area as I just finished with the 4 I recently rescued. My question is , how could I possibly adopt out these 2 kittens. I plan to trap them after Christmas. I just got 4 last month and could not take in anymore. I tried calling around but no shelter or rescue is able to take them. I am gonna post in petfinder too once I socialize them. But other than that I really have no network of petlovers.... Any suggestions would be great

[moosmom]

Depending upon how old they are, try putting an ad in the newspaper. Do NOT say "free to good home" however, because you will get calls from Laboratories who are looking for free cats and kittens. Ask for an adoption fee, say $50-75. It sounds a little high, but it will weed out the undesireables and will also guarantee a home that is able to care for the cat properly, i.e., medical, all the immenities,etc.

Also, put up signs in vet offices and pet stores. Again, do not give out the kittens for free. Charge an adoption fee. Whatever it costs you to have the cat tested for Feline Leukemia, Feline Aids, and spayed/neutered, providing you have done so. When a prospective adoptee comes along, show them the vet bill. Let them know that you have saved them alot of time and energy by having all this stuff done. Laboratoeis will not pay for cats/kittens.

Good luck in finding furrrrever homes for the kittens.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Following are some tips I received from a shelter when I was trying to place Eddie.
------------------
TIPS FOR PLACING A STRAY ANIMAL OR UNWANTED PET

• Have the animal examined by a veterinarian, tested, spayed or neutered (if this has not already been done), and given any necessary vaccinations.

• Take a nice color photo of the animal.

• Write up a short “bio” on him or her – include age, sex, breed (if applicable), personality, likes and dislikes, etc. as well as the reason you cannot keep him or her.

• Make a flyer by putting the photo and bio together on one page, along with your contact information (name phone # etc.)

• Make copies (in color, if possible) of the flyer and post everywhere – veterinarian’s offices, pet grooming businesses, Petco, Petsmart, and other pet supply stores, grocery stores – Jewel, Dominick’s, Whole Foods, etc.

• Place adoption ads in your local newspapers, describing the animal (use the bio you created for your flyers, or an abbreviated version of it). ***Indicate in your ad that you will be charging an adoption fee. This is very important for two reasons -- not only should you at least get back some of the expenses you’ve incurred in making the animal ready for adoption, but more importantly, because there are many wicked and evil individuals who regularly scan the newspapers for “free to a good home” ads, searching for animals that they can obtain for free, then sell to testing laboratories, dogfight promoters (who, in addition to wanting dogs, also use kittens and other small creatures on which to train the dogs) puppy and kitten mills, etc. These people are quite devious and very good at what they do – they know all the tricks to appearing as though they have only the animal’s best interests in mind. Charging an adoption fee will screen out most (but not all—so be careful!) of these individuals, as they are typically not interested in animals they have to pay for…it takes away from their profit margin to do so.

Once people start calling in response to your flyer and advertisements, use the attached application, contract, and interview guidelines to screen them – be sure to establish with them that if they are chosen to be the animal’s new owner, you’ll be checking in with them for follow up to see how the pet is doing. Letting potential owners know you intend to follow up and stay involved will help to (but will not automatically) eliminate prospective owners who are inappropriate.

Remember – you owe it to this animal to find him or her a safe, stable and responsible new home, one he or she will have for life. It goes without saying that there is no point in rescuing an animal only to place it with an owner who is unsuitable or irresponsible, and of course you will want to find the best home possible if it is your own animal you are attempting to place.

Don’t forget to enlist the assistance of family members, neighbors, and co-workers. Sometimes all it takes is a little networking. Please don’t give up. A shelter is a bad option, even if you find a “no-kill” (limited intake) location versus a “kill” (unlimited intake) facility. With a “no kill” organization the animal could get adopted, but is more likely to live the rest of its life out at that facility, and unlimited intake locations are free to euthanize your pet, literally within moments of your leaving their premises. Placing an animal on your own takes time and effort, but it can be done, and it’s very, very worth the exertion that it takes. Not only are you ensuring a safe, stable and responsible home for your particular animal, but you’re taking an active role in helping to reduce the unbearable burden faced by all shelters as they try to keep up with the hundreds of stray animals and unwanted pets left daily at their doorsteps.

Good Luck, and thank you for your efforts!