30 Cats in one trailer...oh my gosh...

[sasvermont]

Last night when I was volunteering at the shelter I asked about one group of cats that was isolated. It seems that some folks were keeping 30 cats in a trailer, un-vetted, unaltered etc. and boy are they in bad shape.

I am going again tonight, to play and sit with them. Some have eyes missing - all are well fed - all FIP positive..... and only two colors....yellow/tanish or white.... and there are three little white kittens. They have all been spayed/neutered now and are recovering.

I was so angry when I saw the group of them that I could just spit! What sick person(s) would accumulate so many. I can tell that they are all related, so there goes the gene pool variation theme right out the window.

The staff does not know why so many have eyes missing or are blind. My guess is infections unattended.

You know, if people don't have the money and or brains to care for pets, they should not have them. Plain and simple. Same goes for children. Of course you cannot turn in a child if your money runs out.....

I get so darn angry sometimes. .... Sorry if I brought up a tough subject for such a time of year.......

I will give them all a hug from you all, tonight.

SAS

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Well I guess the good news is that they have been rescued, and will hopefully all find good homes now.

I, too, don't understand people like that, but maybe with the first one or two they thought they were doing good by getting the kitties off the street, but when things started getting out of hand they should have done something before it got to the point of 30 of them!

My guess on the eyes is the infections untreated too. Since they are all FIP positive, it's highly likely they've got that eye/herpes thing going around too. Poor, poor kitties.

Thanks, SAS, for giving them all an extra hug from us. Sound like they really need it.

[hellostranger]

grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! People like that make me so angry! I don't understand how anyone can treat animals that way. Poor kitties...

Thanks for all the work you're doing with them, SAS. After working with one stray kitten I feel exhausted and sad - I really admire you for going to the shelter and helping to take care of so many. After you give them a hug from us, please give yourself one, too.

[sasvermont]

I was heartbroken last night when I saw them. I know that someone will adopt them and if not, they will go to a permanent foster home, if that makes any sense. They cannot be put with other catsm that's the problem. The shelter where I volunteer do not put animals down unless they are ill - never because they are unadoptable. That is the only positive side to this story. They will live out their lives in comfort, somewhere. One white kitty has one eye completely clouded over. I will see tonight if she has any vision at all. I will take a camera the next time I go.

Thanks for your well wishes for these kitty cats.

[wayne0214]

it sounds to me like they had unattended clymedia, when they were kittens.

........wayne

[sasvermont]

I spent two hours with a group of 12 of them. They have them in two groups - and some have been adopted. They ask people to take two at a time, since they were such close buddies all their furry lives.

I was in heaven last night. They were all starved for affection and loved me sitting and playing with them. One sat on my lap and wouldn't move. I had them hanging off me all night. Once in awhile one would try to nap but then the others would start jumping around, playing and it was just too tempting and then they would all start.

The really sad ones had skinned up noses and eyes missing. I don't think any one cat is totally blind. Some have one clouded over eye....some just missing an eye. I haven't seen the other group.

The shelter is brand new and they have a state of the art facility now. Each room has an easy chair(s) and lots of tables, cubby holes and platforms. They even have scatter rugs.... just like home.... I will take pictures next time.

I was (NEW rule) only able to play with one group last night and will switch to the other group on Thursday night. The shelter is trying to keep the disease spreading problem down and allow volunteers in only one area per night. They keep bleach in pan outside the critical areas, for feet swiping etc.

I will try to remember to take my camera tomorrow night.

These kitties need good homes and some individual attention.... they are all very jealous of each other..... it showed.... I think attachment to each other only goes so far - and after that, jealousy plays a big role in their lives.

What a mess. What a furry delight for me though!

[Logan]

I'm so glad they have you, Sallyanne, to help them learn the real meaning of love. What a terribly sad situation. I hope that each of them will find wonderful, loving homes. The shelter sounds marvelous! Wouldn't it be great to have more like them all over the world? Wishful thinking............but better yet, it would be great if there were no need for shelters at all.

[shais_mom]

Sounds similiar to the story on Animal Planets Animal Cops where they found one man living in a house with 247 cats that came from and unaltered pair. They were wild jumping on the people as the walked by. They were all euthanized unfortunately.And they didn't press charges b/c the man was mentally ill, I believe they did something to help him, tho.

[BastetsMum]

I congratulate you for your compassion towards the group of kitties first off. Secondly it sounds like that they all were infected by a disease as kittens which is why their eyes could be clouded over. I know that the Cat flu can cause that. Also what is FIP?

[sasvermont]

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is spread via Feline Coronavirus (FCoV),a virus endemic to most multi-cat environments. There is a new vaccine for FIP however, statistics are still being gathered on the extent of the protection it provides to cats.

Bordetellabronchiseptica (kennel cough) is a disease first thought to only affect dogsbut recently, laboratories have tested cats and found them to be infectedwith Bordetella.

They have been exposed to so many out of control diseases, since they were never vetted.

I suspect they have/had this too:

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR, also known as Feline Herpesvirus) is arespiratory disease caused by Feline Herpesvirus type 1. Symptoms includessneezing, coughing, photosensitivity (where the eyes are sensitive tolight), swelling in the conjunctiva (eyelid tissues) in one or both eyeswith discharge from eyes and nose. Depression and lack of appetite andfevers may be seen. Ulcers of the eye may develop and may lead to severe eye infections or blindness.



Yikes.

[Pam]

This is just too sad to even ponder. Another misguided person creates kitty misery for so many. I hope that some of them can grow up to live 'normal' lives. I look forward to the pictures although I am sure they will make me sad. {{{Hugs}}} to you for being there for them.

[smokey the elder]

FIP is dangerous and there is NO unequivocal test for it. The good news is that it typically only affects cats with otherwise compromised immune systems (FIV, FLV, etc.) The bad news is that this collector's cats probably are all compromised and have genetic damage to boot. Poor kitties!

[sasvermont]

I forgot my camera today - so no pictures. I surely hope someone has adopted a couple of these guys and gals.

I will have a good time playing with them....etc....so I will be happy....and I suspect they will be happy having me there for 2 hours!

Catch you later.

SAS

[sasvermont]

Gordy

He has 7 or 8 toes on each front foot and extras on the back as well. All of the orange cats have too many toes.

Can't wait to see them all tonight!


www.chittendenhumane.org

Charlie - his right eye is cloudy....


Denim - one of the more friendly ones...

Gurvin

The others are not listed because they are not so very friendly...these photos came from the Humane Society's web page...not from my camera....

[hellostranger]

What a sweetheart with his "mittens"! The picture makes me want pick him up and kiss him between his ears!

Has anyone been interested in adopting them yet? I am so glad they are in a no-kill shelter. Thanks again for looking after these furries.