I Want Out Of The Cat Rescue Business

[catmandu]

I know how you feel,as the Animal Welfare People,get a little burned out,too.I was taliking to Helen,about Karinas Kittens,and she saw someone,with a Cat Carrier,coming towards her house! I know,that it never ends,but please dont stop helping the Helpless Ones!

[K & L]

Thank you all for your responses on my frustration. After some much needed rest last night, I feel a little better mentally today. I got to thinking about all of this and why all of a sudden I’m feeling so overwhelmed. I came to the conclusion the overwhelmed feeling is due to the “dumped pet cats” that I need to find the homes for. I just don’t understand how people can dispose of a pet like it was a used tissue. I can foster kittens and place them with the no-kill shelter once they weigh 2 lbs., I can TNR the 100’s of cats in the park and go feed and water daily, but when it comes to the poor adult tame cats, they have no place to go. This is what is so frustrating to me. How do you not help, but yet you just can’t keep them all. Seems this year this exact situation has been unusually high at the park. I know I can’t save them all, but I find myself constantly trying to figure out ways to fit in just one more. It would also help if I didn’t have a full time “day” job. I could devote more time to finding homes, etc. Just being able to share my feelings with all of you helps. Sometimes just expressing the frustrations can help you see another way of looking at things. Thank you all for listening!!

[Logan]

Lisa, I am not in a position to help you more than with my prayers, but believe me, you have them!!!!!!! Hang in there. What a Savior you are for those lost cats.

Logan

[catcrazylady]

You know what it is Lisa? I finally figured it out. It's not the helping of the lost animals, or the stress of trying to trap them, keep them all fed and watered, or the unending worry for their health and safety. It's the simple fact that you have to clean up someones else's mess, so to speak. It's the stupidity of humans that makes this so frustrating. People are mean, cruel, and so darn uncaring when it comes to a one time loved pet. I guess because none of us here can even begin to fathom that type of behavior, it makes it that much harder to understand.
I know I'm angry because I'm in the situation I'm in because my neighbor (who promised she would be back) moved away and left her cat with 5 kittens (I've only ever seen three). She also left another pregnant female behind that I knew nothing about until she showed up with Rosco, Abigail, and another I haven't been able to get yet.
All of these situations are so avoidable with a simple operation!! I love all my ferals and I know they can't help what they are and that's ok with me. A pet, however, that is neglected and left to give birth to gazillion more lost and homeless babies is a whole other story!!!
Now all of us are cleaning up behind the idiots. That is where the anger and frustation comes in. It is especially frustrating when you have to work and still try to find time to do all the things that need to be done to help the kitties. If I could change anything in my life it would be that I could devote more time to this. I hate working but I gotta feed all the left behind babies!
As you have told me several time before....It will pass and I know you will be ok. Just use us as your sounding board and we will help as much as possible. You know we think your GREAT!!! Prayers on the way that things get easier on you guys and the dumping in the park comes to a halt!

[aly]

Lisa,

Is there a cat rescue group who will let you post pictures of your adults on their website? Most rescue groups here have a section on their sites for animals not in their group who need homes. They also let people come and sit with them on adoption days. I think it is REALLY helpful and nice of them. They try to help even though they have their hands full themselves. You've probably already checked into it, but just a suggestion.

[K & L]

Boy did you hit the nail on the head! That IS the frustration. And see, venting here does help!!! I will never stop helping as long as I'm able, but it doesn't mean I won't go through this frustration at times. It's just been non-stop for us since we rescued the first 3 kittens, Smudge, Yogi, and Inky. We'll just all stick together, vent, cry, laugh, and it will all work out!

Originally posted by catcrazylady
You know what it is Lisa? I finally figured it out. It's not the helping of the lost animals, or the stress of trying to trap them, keep them all fed and watered, or the unending worry for their health and safety. It's the simple fact that you have to clean up someones else's mess, so to speak. It's the stupidity of humans that makes this so frustrating. People are mean, cruel, and so darn uncaring when it comes to a one time loved pet. I guess because none of us here can even begin to fathom that type of behavior, it makes it that much harder to understand.
I know I'm angry because I'm in the situation I'm in because my neighbor (who promised she would be back) moved away and left her cat with 5 kittens (I've only ever seen three). She also left another pregnant female behind that I knew nothing about until she showed up with Rosco, Abigail, and another I haven't been able to get yet.
All of these situations are so avoidable with a simple operation!! I love all my ferals and I know they can't help what they are and that's ok with me. A pet, however, that is neglected and left to give birth to gazillion more lost and homeless babies is a whole other story!!!
Now all of us are cleaning up behind the idiots. That is where the anger and frustation comes in. It is especially frustrating when you have to work and still try to find time to do all the things that need to be done to help the kitties. If I could change anything in my life it would be that I could devote more time to this. I hate working but I gotta feed all the left behind babies!
As you have told me several time before....It will pass and I know you will be ok. Just use us as your sounding board and we will help as much as possible. You know we think your GREAT!!! Prayers on the way that things get easier on you guys and the dumping in the park comes to a halt!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by K & L
Boy did you hit the nail on the head! That IS the frustration. And see, venting here does help!!! I will never stop helping as long as I'm able, but it doesn't mean I won't go through this frustration at times. It's just been non-stop for us since we rescued the first 3 kittens, Smudge, Yogi, and Inky. We'll just all stick together, vent, cry, laugh, and it will all work out!

I'm glad you've got some rest and are feeling better. I, too, can offer nothing more than {{{hugs}}} and good thoughts and prayers. I know it's hard and I wish I could help more, but you and all the other rescuers/foster moms know that you do an invaluable service not only to the kitties, but to the community as a whole. Just imagine what your community would be like if no one cared and all the un-neutered cats were allowed to run free.

I know it's easy for me to say because I'm not in your situation, but take some time for yourself, rest up and tomorrow will be a better day.

[catland]

Is there a local newspaper or radio or TV station in need of a heartwarming story? Maybe it could help. Maybe a scout group or other group looking for a way to be helpful and could help hold a fundraiser or carwash or some event to help raise awareness and pay for the surgeries?

[K & L]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
I'm glad you've got some rest and are feeling better. I, too, can offer nothing more than {{{hugs}}} and good thoughts and prayers. I know it's hard and I wish I could help more, but you and all the other rescuers/foster moms know that you do an invaluable service not only to the kitties, but to the community as a whole. Just imagine what your community would be like if no one cared and all the un-neutered cats were allowed to run free.

I know it's easy for me to say because I'm not in your situation, but take some time for yourself, rest up and tomorrow will be a better day.

Thanks Debbie! Just being here and listening is all I need from anyone! All your thoughts, hugs, etc. make my day!

[K & L]

Originally posted by catland
Is there a local newspaper or radio or TV station in need of a heartwarming story? Maybe it could help. Maybe a scout group or other group looking for a way to be helpful and could help hold a fundraiser or carwash or some event to help raise awareness and pay for the surgeries?

It's really not the money issue here, it's the abandoned pet cats that make it all so frustrating, and finding them a GOOD home. My husband & I never expect anything money wise from anyone, we just want people to take their own responsibilities.

Good ideas though if we ever reach the point of not being able to do this because of finances. Thanks

[kimlovescats]

Originally posted by K & L
It's really not the money issue here, it's the abandoned pet cats that make it all so frustrating, and finding them a GOOD home. My husband & I never expect anything money wise from anyone, we just want people to take their own responsibilities.

Good ideas though if we ever reach the point of not being able to do this because of finances. Thanks

Sure wish I could say the same! Oh well, now with my soon-to-be website, maybe things will get better!

[K & L]

Originally posted by kimlovescats
Sure wish I could say the same! Oh well, now with my soon-to-be website, maybe things will get better!

Well it's not like we're rolling in dough ourselves , but my venting on this thread was more about the frustrations of dumped cats, and not the costs! Catsnclay donates cat food to us on a regular basis and this really helps! As a rescuer yourself, you know there are times when everything just builds up and you feel like you're about to lose it. That's what happened to me last night when I got the phone call. I just needed a lot of shoulders to cry on!

[leslie]

This no-kill shelter that takes the kittens from you, why won't they take adults? As some sort of resort, you could post adults on Pet Finder (I believe that's how Cora found her new home) and there are many other websites to post adults on- it's pretty much endless- Jan sent me a bunch that I sent to Sara for Peach and Cora and both were adopted. People are touched by sad stories. And, as someone mentioned earlier, local rescue groups have websites and you could post there too. You must be in contact with them, right? Chin up, there is a light at the end and yet it will be never ending! the trick is creating a circle of those who do foster, those who do adoption, those who feed, those who donate money and transport for appts. etc...Once all that is in place, it's emotionally easier to deal with the idiots that dump, because they will dump whereever there's a colony being fed.

[K & L]

Originally posted by leslie
This no-kill shelter that takes the kittens from you, why won't they take adults?

They do, but right now they're at their capacity and are not taking anymore adult cats in at this time. Everyone whether it be an organization or one person, has their limits. And kittens go much easier and faster than the adults. Yes, I do have other resources but people and places can only do so much. The park we TNR out of is nothing but a dumping ground for people. It's non-stop and it's frustrating and very aggravating. Believe me, we've hit about every resource we have on a continuous basis.