New Charges to be filed against Tiger Ranch

[Emeraldgreen]

Rebecca, it is very clear that you love cats with all your heart and would do anything to help them. I just wanted to note that while Medusa wrote that she was turned down, shelter after shelter, she also said "That meant that I had to work even harder to find quality, permanent homes for the cats that I had rescued"
I've only been on here since July but the people posting on this particular thread who are upset and/or angry about the Tiger Ranch issue are also cat lovers. They are cat rescuers and also very passionate about it. I'm only pointing this out because this and the other thread about Tiger Ranch is getting quite heated.
I think everyone can agree that the care of the cats is what matters and that Lin Marie became overwhelmed to the point that some cats did not receive enough care and it fell apart. I think her heart was in the right place when she started but it's too much for one person. She needed to ask for help or to say no because each cat she took in meant that one already in her care was going to suffer.
I'm certainly glad that you are there for your cats and the ones that show up at your door. They need you. But at the same time, that is why I feel motivated to get some help your way because it's something that can spiral out of control so quickly as more and more litters are born. Your heart is obviously as big as Texas but your home and your budget may not be able to handle the increasing numbers of cats that will begin to appear.
I think Lin must have a big heart too but she needed more help.

[rebeccahowes]

You have such a sweet heart. I have never met you, but I can tell just by your words alone. I never meant to insult anyone by my postings, just as noone ever meant to insult me when I offered free kittens. I am just so sad that Lin marie could be found guilty when all she ever did was love cats. If somebody came to my house right now, they would find me guilty of not taking care of my cats. I cannot get them spayed or neuterd, or shots, or worm medicine, and sometimes I cannot even control their fleas, but I love them with all of my heart. The only reason why I cannot control the fleas or worms is because I can't catch two of the feral cats. So even if I put flea medicine on all of the other cats, I can't help the other two therefore; it spreads back to the others. I know that Medusa is upset with me and I am so sorry. I do not want to offend anyone on PT. I have been taking care of cats and kittens since I was 8 or 9. I just cannot turn any cat away no matter what. I know that Lin Marie felt the same way and I am only trying to defend her because she is not here to defend herself. I know that alot of people seem to find her unable to care for cats or maybe they think she is crazy, or ect. I don't know, it just seems that more people should stand by her side, and it makes me sad that some people are against her one way or another. I have pity for her and my heart goes out for her and all of the cats that were not taken care of properly. But I am just as guilty because I still have six cats that do not have their shots and have not been spayed or neuterd. Believe me, I don't like it at all. I would give anything that they were taken care of, but I will never turn them away or any other cat. I put a big bowl of cat food on my porch every day. By the evening it is all gone by the strays that show up. I am excited that I fed a cat that was hungry. If that cat wanted to come in my home, I would let it in, in a heartbeat. I could never promise that cat that I could get it's vacinnations or fixed. But that is ok. I gave it something and that is all that matters. Bottom line is that I am on Lin Maries side and I kind of get upset when people put her down. God Bless, Rebecca

[Catty1]

I hope that the publicity Lin Marie is getting can be used, somehow, to encourage funding for shelters and rescues.

As you said once, Rebecca - there are enough of both - but they need MONEY to function at their best!

I would hope someone like Oprah might have her on the show, and help all people realize that shelters and rescues don't run for free.

I don't know where you nearest pet store is - but I wonder if there could be some sort of exchange or sponsorship, example, the store arranges spaying, neutering and shots for the strays you help, and in turn you had out coupons or flyers for the store when people adopt (and the store could help with that also).

Just thinking of some kind of private enterprise sponsorship.

{{{hugs}}}

[Medusa]

To let a cat into your home w/out even the promise of immunization, as you yourself stated, is NOT ok. It is irresponsible and is a danger to your other cats. And flea infestation is serious. Cats can die from it, especially kittens. And if you can't afford to have them altered, then the problem will just continue to spiral out of control and the next thing you know, you'll be in the same situation as Lin Marie was. No one questions your motives and we bristle when our own motives are called into question. And no one engaged in name calling either, as you've repeatedly implied that we've done w/Lin Marie. We all know how heartbreaking it is to see a stray cat, hungry and cold w/no place to lay its head. But there's more to cat rescue than assuaging your conscience w/putting out a bowl of cat food. If you can't see that, then nothing I or anyone else can say to you is going to make a difference. And that's unfortunate for the cats.

To say that all cat lovers should feel the way you do and then to imply that, if they don't, then they're not cat lovers at all is insulting. You may feign innocence if you like but I have a good command of the English language and I know an insult when I hear or read one. And that's the last I'm going to comment on that subject.

[moosmom]

God Bless you Mary!!! You called it as you saw it. Nothing wrong with that!!

[jennielynn1970]

Thank you Mary, and Donna! I'm not the only one reiterating the quality of care vs. quantity of cats issue.

I wish people would understand that being responsible for the pets you have, before you take one more, is what is necessary.

Can you feed them all? Can you get them all neutered and spayed? Can you make sure they are all treated for the illnesses, and make sure they are up to date on the vaccinations? If you can't do that, then that's not helping them. Maybe it makes you feel virtuous and superior to say that you are helping "X" number of cats, and because we don't take every stray in we're not animal lovers in your eyes. I really don't care if that is what you think, because I know that if I'm taking in a stray, they are getting quality care. If I can't care for them, I won't be helping them by taking them in.

The issue is still quantity of animals vs. quality of care.

Like I said in the other thread, you cannot, realistically, save them all.

[Sprinter's_mommy]

wow....didn't mean to start a fued between everyone...ya'll are animal luvrs and I think all the little kitties and doggies are lucky to have us!