ASPCA
I think the local SPCA will be where you end up going, knowing you did your best and move on with your life with no shame. Sorry that this is not more what you and we all would like to hear.
Definitely take them to the humane society. That’s their best bet to find a home
My experience with cat rescues is very poor. My only advice is to try a PetSmart store with an adoption section and try finding a Veterinarian that places kitties.
Let them roam the neighborhood...probably better odds of living freely, longer
Here's one called "Philly Cat Rescuers"
https://www.facebook.com/groups/phillycatrescuers
Build them a shelter near you, maybe..and let them roam...hate to say it, but probably not going to find homes at their age
You might want to try looking for cat ‘sanctuaries’ where cats are not adopted out, but live out their lives. If you could find such a place and donate for their care, that might help them accept your cats. The other thing is that the cats are elderly and won’t be living as long as a young cat.
There’s a sanctuary in NJ called Tabby’s Place - they generally don’t take cats from the public; however, it appears they might be helpful in providing you with resources/help for ‘your’ four cats.
https://www.tabbysplace.org/about/
From their website (intake policy):
Although we wish we could help every cat in need, we unfortunately cannot generally take cats from the public. But, if you’re seeking a home for a cat, we can help you in one of three ways:
Our Help Form will connect you with advice, resources, and a list of organizations that may be able to assist you.
The Guardian Angel Program enables you to plan ahead for your cats to come to Tabby’s Place if you should predecease them.
The Exceptional Circumstances Program is for folks who are seeking to place a cat at Tabby’s Place immediately, and prepared to make an extremely large donation that can help many other cats.
If the cat you need help with was adopted from Tabby’s Place, please see our Return Policy.
Whether or not we can take your cat at Tabby’s Place, we can help point you in the right direction. You’re not alone, and there is hope.
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I know there are other cat sanctuaries, but finding one is going to be the trick - most are very well populated.
It can be hard to find places at no-kill shelters during tough economic times when many people are forced to give up their pets.
I used to find homes for stray kitties by advertising them in the local newspaper and charging an adoption fee (the fee was partly to keep away trash, those who would resell them to research labs, etc., and partly because you actually get more good prospects than when advertising them for free — I donated the fees to a no-kill shelter).
Nowadays, I think that people use Facebook and Craig’s List and those Neighbor social networking sites to advertise pets in need of adoption. Craig’s list can be dodgy, but can be okay if you are careful, best I understand.
You might also try putting up flyers at local stores and/or eateries (some have bulletin boards where people post such things, along with lost and found pets). Some churches have such bulletin boards in their parish halls, too, where members gather for coffee or meals or Bible study, etc.
Other Freepers will likely chime in with other, better suggestions. I wish you all the best finding good homes for the dear kitties.
Put them on craigslist and fakebook . Spayed/neutered cats are not hard to find homes for . If you were close I’d take them all.
I’m with the let them roam crowd. Get an old cooler big enough for all of them and cut a hole in the lid and put it on its side. It will keep them warm on the back porch. They will be fine, and no more litter box too.
We have a rescue dog and two rescue cats. We prefer older animals, rather than dealing with puppies and kittens this stage in life.
My wife takes care of the details, but I think the organization we dealt with was “Old Dogs New Digs” for the dog, and a shelter for the cats.
They appreciate people that will do senior adoptions, so just keep trying.
Lots of older people would like to have a pet but a kitten, that they would probably out live, is not necessarily a good option for them.
There used to be a SPCA on Ridge Pike in Plymouth Meeting. We donated to them for about 20 years thru United Way. I adopted several dogs from that facility. They are very good with placements. You might also try talking to the veterinarian she used when she was alive. See if they can help.
I have a friend that is very active in cat rescue. She is retired and it is what she does to stay active.
Thing is I am close to Macon Ga., so can’t really help. But you should definitely have active rescues near you. Thing is, many folks that do this are older and not very tech savvy, so good old fashion leg work is needed to find them.
They can’t guarantee no euthanasia.
Why not keep them as outdoor cats?
I’m stunned at some of the uniformed, cruel “advice” proffered. My cats have lived to 20 years; a friend’s cat thrived up to age 26. So, properly and lovingly cared for, they could have several more years of quality life. My daughter volunteers at the pet adoption section of her local PetSmart, so that might be a good place to start.
I hope your post has readers thinking about how their pets will be provided for should the pets outlive them.
Too bad you’re so far away, I’d take them in. I’ve been fostering dogs, taking a break for the winter (Neuropathy, not advisable to walk on ice, so cats are preferable this time of year.)
Wish you the best of luck. Find a no-kill shelter!!
Contact Best Friends animal society. They are based in Utah, but have network partners.
Bestfriends.org