Unwanted Angoras
Good morning readers. Today I'd like to make a plea from cat fosterers and rescuers everywhere. I'm really depressed and I don't believe I'm the only one out there who feels as confused/abandoned/depressed as I do.
I began rescuing cats in late November of 2010. I was under the impression that once I saved them there would be people out there who wanted these beautiful cats. Or at least help me place them into good homes. I couldn't have been more wrong.
I believe a lot of people I correspond with daily have tunnel vision and refuse to comprehend the big picture. And if they do understand my dilemma, well, I won't even go into it. I'll probably make a lot of enemies with what I'm about to say. I'll probably make just as many friends.
If you look on my Facebook page (link broken July 2015), you'll find lots of crossposting on animals about to be euthanized at this shelter or that shelter. They all have the same message:TOMORROW WILL BE TOO LATE! I feel for those cats and dogs, but right now my hands are tied. I'm backed into a corner with no way to help and no where to turn.
This is sad. I want to rescue more. The emphasis is placed solely on getting the cats (which is 99% of my rescues) out of the shelter before they are killed. No one has been able to help me place any of my rescues. I ran an advertisement in my local paper and placed Shirley and Sheela (sisters) into the same loving home with my new friend Vicki.
This was a lesson in sisterly love. Shirley was placed first, and when Sheela began grieving and losing weight, my friend Vicki took Sheela in. Now they are a loving family.
I've been able to confirm a few of the cats as soon as transport details are worked out. Of that I'm grateful.
I have 19 cats up for adoption here. I've had the majority of this album up for weeks and not even an inquiry.
The sad part is if I were a hoarder and had 500+ cats and charged with abuse then everyone would want a Furby's Halfway House cat. But I'm far from being a hoarder and recognize that I can't do even one more cat until some are adopted out.
My final two cats, Leigh and Rosie, came in on a foster basis and have been on Petfinder.com for MONTHS now. They are as forgotten as those I rescued on my own. Please don't tell Leigh and Rosie no one wants them except those directly involved in their rescue and placement with me. Both are very very friendly.
This is kitten season at the shelter where I rescue. During the regular months a lot of single cats are listed on the euthanasia list. There are currently at least a dozen families of females and their kittens.
I feel I go above and beyond the call of duty in listing my cats for adoption. I try to list their individual characteristics and what they need in their furever home to be happy. Some of my rescues are love bugs and some just want to lay around and look beautiful.
I'm not alone in this situation. I've spoken to several other foster and rescue mommies. We're all filled to capacity or over our personal limit. I've been fortunate to receive a little compensation from my friends to help cover food and vet bills. I even have a few friends who are shutting down. Between the expense and the lack of homes, they're faced with no other choice.
So I realize I'm not being singled out as this is the situation everywhere.
Can someone please tell me why finding these rescued and fostered cats forever homes isn't as high on the priority list as getting them out of the shelter. If we're all bottle-necked with this, those who are in the best position to help the cats are paralyzed.
I'd love to hear from other rescue/foster homes and also from cross-posters as to why this is happening to all of us. Perhaps if more of us share this concern it may change things. At least it will raise awareness on this issue.
I realize there are far too many cats to find homes for. There has to be help available somewhere.
I've seen a few rescue groups have to return cats to a shelter for one reason or another. I intend to keep all of mine until a home can be found.
There has to be an answer to all of this. I just can't for the life of me figure out what it is.
Elisa
P.S. I've personally uploaded these photos. The white Angora mix family was turned into the shelter. I've had them on my adoption list for over a month. Misty was declawed. She's 9 yrs old and was not going to be put up for adoption. She was set to be killed. She's NOT happy in my home. Neither are Lily or Samantha. I've had them up for adoption for several months. We love them and feed them but they want their own home. Samantha is losing weight. There's nothing physically wrong with any the white kitties. Misty is declawed. She refuses to come out of the bathroom, as does Lily. Samantha and Lily just want to be an only cat and NO ONE is giving them the chance. I rescued all of them on the day they were to be killed.