URGENT!! No kill in Erie, PA is now euthanizing cats... NEEDS HELP!!!

[jennielynn1970]

I received this in my email from a fellow shelter volunteer.... I know we are going to see how much we can help, but are there any other people or rescues out there that might be able to lend an hand??? She's already euthanized a few of the cats, and the next group is slated for Jan. 7th or 8th. There are purebreds and domestics, as well as some with special needs (like one with only two front legs!). It's a heartbreaking story! Read below:

At the bottom of my email you will see an email I was sent from a concerned person telling me about a rescue - For the Love of Cats - http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA398.html
I was told she is euthanizing her rescues cats .... after confirming what I was told on her website I contacted her.
I want to help some of these cats....but can not take them all of course!
She said she has been asking for help from rescues - she says she WAS a no-kill at one time but became overwhelmed.

This is from the woman who runs the shelter...
Yes, it is true. I used to be a no-kill and the people of Erie, Pa heard this and began dumping animals here at an alarming rate. I had no choice but to euthanize pregnant females and cats that have been here for a while. I have many purebreds (Siamese, Maine coons, and Persians), domestics and purebred mixes. All are friendly and although some have a few health issues, none are seriously ill. It is sad but with so many being dumped each month (7 to 10 a month), there is nothing else that I can do. I am behind on my mortgage and owe almost 20,000 to doctors for surgeries done to repair my arm as well as various vets that gave assistance to my animals. My right arm, neck and back were injured in a car accident (not my fault) and I have posted numerous times on various lists that I need to rehome these cats. I hate having to euthanize but there has been no help and I have no income. Many of these cats were brought here in serious condition and many have special needs like needing to be only cat or one of two. Some were previously attacked by dogs and cannot go to homes with dogs. Some were declawed and now are afraid of their own shadow, but all are loving to humans.
Thanks for caring,
Kate

[Lizzie]

I sent your post to someone at Best Friends since they work with rescues that are struggling. I'll also post on 911 and the cat with no back legs on Handicats. I wish I could do more but it's impossible right now.

I've heard many times that rescues almost wish they hadn't received any press since it brings many more requests to take cats than it does donations and adoptions.

[CultureJunky]

This is such a sad story, but I understand you are doing all you can.
I will pray that some help comes your way, I will pray so so hard.
Are the animals euthanised humanely with injections? I so hope so as gassing is barbaric and painful and should be banned.

[jennielynn1970]

Are the animals euthanised humanely with injections? I so hope so as gassing is barbaric and painful and should be banned.

I have no idea how she is doing the euthanizing. I hope to god it's by injection.

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is such a sad situation. I hope that she'll be able to get the help that she needs so no more of these cats will have to be euthanized. I would think that since many people want purebreds that they would be very easy to place.

[animal_rescue]

I wish I could take a cat in but i'm all the way in Indiana.

I'll pray for them though.

[jenluckenbach]

I PM'd davidp, he is with a rescue group in Pittsburgh PA. Maybe his group can help, even if it is only 1 or 2 cats.

[jennielynn1970]

I know that our (Jen L and me) group is trying to figure something out to help with at least some of the cats, and one of the other local groups as well. I know they said there is a siamese rescue up there that can help with transport, and I said I can drive as well. I have a small car, but can fold the back seats down and fit about 8 reg. sized carriers.

Some of the ones she's euthanized already looked like totally adoptable cats. I mean, killing kittens and pregnant mom cats?! To me that's so cruel. There's a pretty ragdoll that is up with the next group, and a fluffy persian as well. I am just shocked. I mean, she says she's short on money, but euthanizing isn't cheap either.

I know publicity can be a godsend and a pain. Someone had heard that I help with rescues and put a cat in a box on my front porch in the 100* heat this summer. What an idiot!!! All it said was "This is so and so, he's 2yrs old". I've had a woman who said her son was taking care of her cats, but felt they were impeding the sale of his house so he put them outside and would I help her? I went there and found a 3-4 yr old seal point himmy and a 10yr old silver coated persian, declawed, never been outside before in their lives, in the freaking bushes!!! They were a mess, covered in fleas and a bunch of ticks that I found and took off them. No revolution on them, no frontline. What the heck were these people thinking??? The little persian guy got a home with a woman in upstate NY who loves persians and the himmy was adopted by my neighbor who absolutely adores and spoils the heck out of her. She is the princess of the house!

Ignorant people drive me nuts. I just don't think I could resort to euthanizing my rescues if I was in dire straits... there has to be another alternative, but then again, I am not in her situation, and lord knows what she's going though. She has to be struggling with this.

Thanks for any help in this!!

[jenluckenbach]

We heard from this person. All the purebreds have found places to go. She is now working on the domestics. We may still get a few of these.

[kittycats_delight]

We heard from this person. All the purebreds have found places to go. She is now working on the domestics. We may still get a few of these.

Good Work you guys. With all you great people on the job working for these babies they seem to have a great chance. Good job on the purebreds. Now fingers crossed and lots of prayers coming for the domestics.


Please let them get a place too.

[jennielynn1970]

I emailed her back and told her I'd have no qualms with driving... you know me and road trips Jen L., lol. LOVE THEM!

Hope to hear back from her shortly!!!

[jenluckenbach]

HA! I emailed too. Said the cat Christie (or Buffy) would be perfect for me.

[Lizzie]

That's a great relief! Will she be able to continue caring for the special needs cats that she has? It would be easier on them if they can stay with her. I can't help wishing that those cats hadn't died and that something could have been done before it happened, even though I know that it happens every day in shelters all over the country.

Edited to add: Jen, you have chosen two very lovely cats, especially Buffy. I hope you get one of them.

[jennielynn1970]

HA! I emailed too. Said the cat Christie (or Buffy) would be perfect for me.

I emailed about a few of them as well, like the spunky looking little tuxie named Pierre, and some of the special needs kitties. Wonder if she found a place for Miracle, or that poor looking toothless old persian?? She reminded of that one from PetSmart that was Cat Shacks.... what did you call her... Grouch Face Grumble Guts, lol, or something to that extent. It was sooooo true!!! She was a very unhappy, toothless and old kitty.

[jennielynn1970]

Had her on the phone, she is trying to figure out who is going where. She's had a bunch of places step up, and former adopters as well say they'll take another cat. She's going to give me a call back after she figures out who needs a home yet, and then I'll let you guys know.

She said she has some that aren't even on the list. There's one that was just dropped off, she took in to spay tonight, and the vet called and told her that here the kitten was pregnant and having kittens right that moment. She said when she moved to her current residence, an old rooming/boarding house, there were 30+outdoor cats there already. She moved in with her 13 cats. She spayed and neutered the outdoor cats that could be trapped, and has been doing it since. There is no low fee spay/neuter up there she says, and there are no vets willing to give discounts. This is in Erie.

She has one cat, a smushy faced persian, who had been hung by it's neck in a tree at the park at the age of a few months, and now has very limited mobility in it's head. She said she's more than likely keeping the very elderly (she has a bunch over 15 yrs) not jsut cause they're elderly, but because they have been with her so long and doesn't want to traumatize them.

She was telling me how people just do whatever to drop their cats off. One person used a crow bar to pry open her screen door, and shoved a cat in between that and the regular door, and then smushed the door closed as much as he could. What the heck are people thinking??? She's originally from CA, and moved here to PA about 5yrs ago. Had a major major car accident (Tboned by a kid on a cell phone in his car, never used the brakes, slammed her into the median and the car was forced over the median and she was hit by more oncoming cars and the car was flipped and flipped). The doctors don't know if she'll ever fully recover, and she's had many surgeries. Right now she can't work, has no health insurance, and she hates to do this, as she did shelter work since 1989 in CA, but she's about to lose her house.

Anyway.... will let you guys know how many and who are available, and breeds etc... I told her I was more than willing to drive as well. She has had people contact her from Michigan, Ohion, New Jersey, and has had a lot of offers for help, which is a good thing!!