Posted on 11/25/2022 11:18:13 AM PST by bassmaner
Last year, my aunt-in-law passed away after a long battle with cancer. She had 4 relatively old (13-15 y/o) cats at the time, and unfortunately she did not have a will. She was renting at the time from friends who are now being forced to sell the house, and she had no other living family. The cats are all relatively healthy: they're all spayed/neutered, they're not declawed, and are very well socialized indoor cats. Since the house is nearby, my wife and I have been taking care of the cats: feeding, changing litter, etc (we can't bring them to our house due to allergies and dogs: our dogs are extremely territorial and would not adjust to having feline housemates).
Starting last spring, we have attempted to find homes for the kitties, with the absolute requirement that they be allowed to live out their lives and not be euthanized.
Unfortunately, we have hit a brick wall with this: every single so-called 'rescue' or 'no-kill shelter' has been unable or unwilling to help. In every case, we get the 'it's kitten season' or 'we just don't have space' excuse. This is putting us in an untenable position: we don't want to end up taking them to the local SPCA, where they would waste no time putting them to sleep despite their relatively good health and sweet disposition.
Another outfit that we’ve gotten help from is Alley Cat Allies.
They might be able to direct you to resources if you contact them.
Bump to keep track.
In Ohio that would be abandonment and is considered a felony.
There is bad advice and then there is criminal advice.
Try to find cat-loving friends who might take one or two. Try advertising, maybe on social media in your area like Nextdoor.com. I currently have 11 cats, including three kittens I rescued earlier this fall. My local pet adoption group is like all the others: FULL. I’ll find homes for them on my own. It might take a while, but it would be a tragedy to euthanize sweet kitties.
In my city, the “rescue” will go in to the spca and grab any dog under 30 pounds before the public even sees them. Then they “adopt” them out, with prices starting at $400 and I have seen a French bulldog for $900. (No papers, mind you.) on top of that, they make you jump through hoops in an utterly ridiculous process. No thank you. I will purchase my next pug from a breeder, whether it’s backyard or not.
See post 8
Usually there is a shelter that will take them with a donation to maintain them. Search your area on Google.
PA SPCA (eastern part of state)
Trash Cat Rescue (Pittsburgh area)
I suspect the same must be happening in my area, and probably all over :( In my town, they seem to even be grabbing the large ones that are not pit bulls.
Wonder of wonders, finally one that is not a Pit Bull — an Irish Wolfhound/Poodle mix was just now listed. I’m trying to figure out how that happened, lol. I hope the Irish Wolfhound was the mamma!
That’s probably the best alternative. I remember a whole bunch of flak about the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals a few years ago. They were NOT connected with local SPCAs. Most of their marketing was for fundraising, IIRC and not much at all done for animals in general. They’ve done some online web rehabilitation from what I can see but I still wouldn’t recommend the ASPCA. Go local SPCA and ASK them what they do, first.
It took daughter a ton of time to locate an organization that would even consider helping.
Will pray that you find assistance. Thank you from all of us alley cats. Please don't give up.
Just saw this but my advice is to go to a petsmart or local small rescues and offer a nice donation ....taking to county shelter is a death sentence
That’s the last place to take them......
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