Our Worst TNR Ever

[ramanth]

How heartbreaking. He's so beautiful. Hopefully you can get him to trust humans so he can go to a forever home.

[Kater]

Originally posted by K & L
TNR'ing is the BEST thing you could do. This prevents reproducing and others having to live like these ferals. It is hard on the heart, but you have realize you're helping and go on. I have a lot of literature I could send you if you would like to give to your mom. Just let me know!

I totally agree. I also think my Mom knows and realizes this but her qualms lie in whether she wants the responsibility. I will keep urging her gently but I realize it is ultimately her decision what she wants to do with her time. But thank you very much for the offer!

The more I get involved in issues of animal abuse, overpopulation, neglect, abandonment, etc. the more I am beginning to realize how very far behind the other states Hawaii is in terms of addressing these problems. For example:

• We have ONE Humane Society for a human population of 900,000 (about) on the island of Oahu. And this ONE Humane Society is an independent Hawaii organization and receives no funding from national organizations. One estimate reports that 87% of all cats turned in to this Humane Society are euthanized. After volunteering there I would not doubt this statistic.
  (www.hawaiianhumane.org)
  
• We have ONE USDA licensed animal sanctuary in the state.
  (www.threeringranch.org)
  
• In my experience, we have only 4 other independent rescue organizations on Oahu. There are probably some dog breed rescues I don't know about and maybe some other cat rescues too.
  1. Hawaii Cat Friends (www.hicatfriends.org)
  2. Hawaii Cat Foundation (www.hicat.org)
  3. S.A.F.E. House Cat Rescue (groups.msn.com/safehousecatrescueprogram)
  4. Hawaii Animal Sanctuary (www.fluffynet.com/hawaii.htm)

This makes for an place with less support than most places (in my estimation based on observation) and yet a much worse feral cat problem than most places.
1. There is no winter weather.
2. Cats breed throughout the year.
3. There are no natural predators.
4. Many people abandon cats despite laws against it. Hawaii also has quite large transient populations like military personnel and students who are statistically more likely to leave pets behind.

And this realization is making me more interested in returning to Hawaii after my education. This is a first for me as I always assumed I would want to live somewhere else in my adult life.

[kimlovescats]

Oh Lisa..... not many posts really get to me this much, but this one really has. I don't know how you did it ... but I know you had to, and why you had to. I'm just glad it wasn't me who had to do it! At least he is comfortable with Kevin, so you know you can easily catch him again if you find someone to give him a home! Man, even if someone could give him a home on a farm or something ... just somewhere where he can feel a bit more loved and like he belongs! He is a beautiful boy!

GOD bless you Lisa .... and THANK YOU so much for caring for this boy!!! I know it is terribly hard on you!

[stacwase]

I can imagine how difficult that must have been for you! That's the kind of thing which prevents most people from doing it. The fact that you keep doing it regardless of the heartbreak shows that you are a truly loving person.

[Uabassoon]

OMG a little Meezer! If I had room and money for one more I would drive up to Phx this weekend and pick him up. But I live in such a tiny apartment and I'm getting ready to graduate so things are going to be stressful for a little while. I really wish I could take him

[K & L]

Originally posted by Uabassoon
OMG a little Meezer! If I had room and money for one more I would drive up to Phx this weekend and pick him up. But I live in such a tiny apartment and I'm getting ready to graduate so things are going to be stressful for a little while. I really wish I could take him

We'll keep working with him and if it ever comes to the point you can take him, let us know. We will have him tested and all shots done for you. He's already neutered so that would be one less cost also! Good luck at graduation!

[K & L]

Oh man, Java came running to our car last night. He still won't let me too near, but rolled over for Kevin letting him pet and love him. Then when we went to the other area to put food down he followed us there. Help me cause I'm weakning and we really cannot afford anymore. I feel if you can't provide medical care, etc. when needed, then you shouldn't have anymore. I would consider fostering, but then we get attached and never let go. *sigh* what to do?

[kuhio98]

Please see my PM to you.

[AvaJoy]

Originally posted by kimlovescats
. . . I don't know how you did it ... but I know you had to, and why you had to. I'm just glad it wasn't me who had to do it! At least he is comfortable with Kevin, so you know you can easily catch him again if you find someone to give him a home! Man, even if someone could give him a home on a farm or something ... just somewhere where he can feel a bit more loved and like he belongs! He is a beautiful boy! GOD bless you Lisa .... and THANK YOU so much for caring for this boy!!! I know it is terribly hard on you!

My sentiments exactly!

Maybe he suffered abuse at the hands of a female, and that is why he is more trusting of Kevin. I hope all turns out well for this one, and ALL of the kitties you care so much for . . . you are a such a lifesaver for them all!

[Uabassoon]

I feel if you can't provide medical care, etc. when needed, then you shouldn't have anymore.

That's what's keeping me from going to pick him up I have such a soft spot for little Meezers and he looks so much like a male version of Tibby. But maybe this summer if he's still doing well and I find a good job and move into a bigger apt (right now I don't think I could fit another cat into my 420 sq ft apartment) then I can bring him home.

[Kirsten]

That's heartbreaking indeed! Poor baby! I wish he would find a good place!

Kirsten