How do I let them go?

[Purr-tender]

Jen, I like your suggestion of focusing on just one. Unfortunatley the freebies in the newspaper include fully vetted cats. How do I compete with that? I envy you that you have a group that you foster for. Our little town does not have a shelter for cats. There are sooo many cats here that need homes. Farm barns are often the dumping ground for many. I just hate that.

When you have a foster, does your group use Petsmart for adoptions? If not, how do they go about finding homes for yours. I did try Petsmart through another group and wasn't comfortable with it. They wanted to leave my little one in a cage through the week and I just could not do that. This group and others like it are an hour away from me. Which makes it hard for me to work with them.

[jenluckenbach]

Our rescue group does use a Petsmart adoption center. And yes, we leave each cat there for 2 weeks. It is not for ALL cats, some just can't be cooped up that long, but for those who can, it is a great opportunity for the public to see them. And 2 weeks out of a lifetime, is certainly worth finding them a great home.

We also post them on Petfinder.com. We have a shelter building where the cts may be visited. We have foster homes who allow people to come visit their cats. We advertize in the newspaper. We do 1 day adoption events. this is perfect for those cats who can tolerate a DAY in a cage, but not a full week.

If other people actually neuter their cats, get the vaccinations, test them for FELV & FIV and then give them up for free......you may not be able to compete. But, if you focus on a time of a year that there aren't a billion kittens available, that might help.

[Medusa]

When I was actively involved in rescue, I found myself in the same predicament as you're in currently. That's one reason that I found myself w/8 cats instead of the 4 that I had and was happy to keep it at that limit. (I now have 7; one went to the Bridge.) However, I did manage to successfully rehome 27 others, so I can tell you that what Jen said works to a degree: try to focus on one cat at a time. Also, I gave away a year's supply of vitamins and cat food w/every cat and I included that in the ad, which seemed to help. I know that it's an extra expenditure but I wanted to be sure that these cats were going to a responsible home and would be well fed and taken care of. Good luck.

[moosmom]

I was in the same predicament when I lived in Michigan. I was up to 9 cats and knew I had to find homes for some of them. It is very difficult to try and choose WHO stays and who goes.

I was very lucky that Val (Dukedogsmom) offered to take Doogie and boy is HE living the life of Riley!!! I am so greatful to Val for offering to drive up to Ohio (from Florida!!!) and take Doogie. Although I miss him very much, he's so much better off where he is. Bless your heart, Val. Give that big lug a smoochie for me and tell him I miss him.

Then there was Fawny. She was a Maine Coon mix and I fell in love with her. Two women drove from Ann Arbor to see Fawny. Well not only did they fall in love with her (I rescued her from the Dearborn Animal Shelter), they also asked if they could adopt Carly, my beautiful American Curl. It broke my heart and I miss them both terribly, it was the best thing I ever did. But they at least were going to a home together and wll have each other.

You've got to put aside your feelings and decide who and what is in the best interest of the cat. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes right now because I HAVE been in your shoes. It's emotionally draining, but remember...it's kitten season and there are alot more furbabies out there who need homes.

BTW, I'm now steady and holding at 6 (with 2 foster babies in my bathroom who are going soon).

(((((HUGS))))))

Donna and crew

[Purr-tender]

Donna, were you fostering for a group like Jen does? If you weren't how did you find the ladies from Ann Arbor who adopted Fawny and Carly?

I so appreciate the kind words from all and ((((HUGS))), boy do I need that right now.


Mary

[moosmom]

I had worked in the newspaper business and had alot of contacts in rescues, having wrote a "Pet of the Week" column. It featured different pets (all kinds, not just cats) and I put the word out through my friend, the president of the Maine Coon Alliance Rescue Network. Right now is a tough time to find homes for rescues, as kitten season is in full swing and foster homes are few and far between.