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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / December 2004visiting Eros
I dropped by the shelter again today and donated some stuff that Oscar rejected -- a hut-type bed and a few dancy toys. Then I asked to see Eros. He's still in the cat condo, but his buddy Tucker is gone. No surprise there; kittens adopt fast. Instead, he has two more sedate friends. They let me hang out in the condo, which worked out well, as Eros wasn't distracted by new surroundings. Shorty, one of the other cats, approached me for petting and stood on my lap for a while; the other cat stayed on top of the 6' ledge and was content just to watch, though she did meow in what I think was a friendly fashion when I reached up to pet her. Without Tucker around to keep him busy, Eros is a lot more snuggle-able. I picked him up a few times, and instead of wanting to jump down right away, he stayed put and hugged me in his trademark fashion, one paw to either side of my neck. Of course, there was much face rubbing to get his scent all over me and irritate Oscar when I get home. I spent several minutes just standing there, holding him, face buried in his neck and chest as he rubbed me with his face. We played a little, too. He doesn't seem *too* desperate for human attention. He rubbed on Shorty a bit, too; Shorty seemed confused, but accepted the gesture. I wanted to take all of them home with me; of course, if I could do that, I wouldn't be in this mess. Sigh. At least I can keep visiting the kitties. Eros certainly enjoys it, and Shorty also seemed to welcome me. I'm sure Eros would like more human contact, but he doesn't seem to be suffering too badly. He's affectionate, but not desperate for attention. He didn't at all mind that I was also paying attention to Shorty. I am *so* glad that he is a social cat and enjoys living in the condos; otherwise he'd have to live in one of the smaller, single-cat cages, where he'd get less stimulation and wouldn't be showcased as well.  Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar >I'm sure Eros would like more human contact, but he doesn't seem to be >suffering too badly. He's affectionate, but not desperate for [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >cages, where he'd get less stimulation and wouldn't be showcased as >well. I also like those cat condos. At the local shelter, they have one corner cat condo that's maybe at most 5 feet square, but it has a window, cat tree, sofa, and lots of toys. It usually have about four of the most social cats in it, and they're really the lucky ones. When I got Betty more than a year ago, she was identified as a shy little girl, so she was all alone in a cage, like most of the shelter cats: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/Takayuki9z/shelter1.html She was pretty desperate for attention! > I also like those cat condos. At the local shelter, they have one corner > cat condo that's maybe at most 5 feet square, but it has a window, cat tree, > sofa, and lots of toys. It usually have about four of the most social cats > in it, and they're really the lucky ones. They have several condos in this place; they line the walls, and then the center is filled with standard cages. There's even a condo that faces the lobby, with a tiny kid's sized beach folding chair that I saw a kitty sleeping in! This shelter has had a lot of big donations; you can tell. I'm trying to get set up so that they can take a monthly bite out of my credit card, too. In some sense, it seems like I should be donating to other shelters that don't have the amenities this one does ... I just don't know. > When I got Betty more than a year ago, she was identified as a shy little > girl, so she was all alone in a cage, like most of the shelter cats: > > http://mywebpages.comcast.net/Takayuki9z/shelter1.html > > She was pretty desperate for attention! Aww. Yeah, I worry about the kitties in the little single cages. At some point, after Eros is happily homed *crosses fingers*, maybe I'll ask about volunteering some skritches for them. Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar >When I got Betty more than a year ago, she was identified as a shy >little girl, so she was all alone in a cage, like most of the shelter >cats: > >http://mywebpages.comcast.net/Takayuki9z/shelter1.html Poor Betty, all alone in that cage. I wonder if she remembers. She's one lucky cat though. Sherry "Takayuki" <Takayuki9z@yahoo.com> wrote in message > When I got Betty more than a year ago, she was identified as a shy > little girl, so she was all alone in a cage, like most of the shelter [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > She was pretty desperate for attention! WOW! She looks exactly like my Kitty Farmcat!!. I had Betty down in my imagination as sort of soft-buff tabby. How wrong can you get. Tweed >"Takayuki" <Takayuki9z@yahoo.com> wrote in message >> http://mywebpages.comcast.net/Takayuki9z/shelter1.html [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >I had Betty down in my imagination as sort of soft-buff tabby. >How wrong can you get. Betty does not have well developed hunting instincts though. When a bug gets into the house, she just follows it with great interest, escorting it from place to place like some kind of tour guide. ;) >I'm sure Eros would like more human contact, but he doesn't seem to be >suffering too badly. He's affectionate, but not desperate for [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >cages, where he'd get less stimulation and wouldn't be showcased as >well. Good luck to Eros. He sounds like a really neat cat; I'm sure he'll get picked, with such a winning personality. In the meantime, it's good that you can check on him. Also a good idea to clean out the cat toybox, and take all the rejects to the shelter. I do that periodically, too. I'm also thinking about giving them the Turbo scratcher. The balls in the new ones light up, and my cats don't like that. Sherry > Good luck to Eros. He sounds like a really neat cat; I'm sure he'll get > picked, with such a winning personality. In the meantime, it's good that you > can check on him. Also a good idea to clean out the cat toybox, and take all > the rejects to the shelter. I do that periodically, too. I'm also thinking > about giving them the Turbo scratcher. The balls in the new ones light up, > and my cats don't like that. Sherry Turbo scratcher? *raises eyebrow* I ordered that "ultimate scratching post" mentioned earlier (here or h+b, not sure) for Oscar. Her current scratching posts are very short, and she does kind of a horizontal stretch on them. I thought I'd see whether she'd go for a taller post. Speaking of scratching posts, I'm wondering if Oscar's behavior is normal. If she is frightened by a loud noise, a sudden movement, or, you know, anything at all, she'll run to the scratching post and frantically scratch on it for a few seconds. Then she's fine. Is this a typical response to anxiety, or is this just an Oscar-ism? Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar >> Good luck to Eros. He sounds like a really neat cat; I'm sure he'll get >> picked, with such a winning personality. In the meantime, it's good that you [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > few seconds. Then she's fine. Is this a typical response to anxiety, or is > this just an Oscar-ism? My cats do this as a "wild cat" thing. It's usually playful. >> Good luck to Eros. He sounds like a really neat cat; I'm sure he'll get >> picked, with such a winning personality. In the meantime, it's good that you [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >few seconds. Then she's fine. Is this a typical response to anxiety, or is >this just an Oscar-ism? It's an Oscar-ism. It's cute. Scratching has a few functions besides sharpening claws-- it exercises the muscles, and it marks territory (there are scent glands in the paws), and the action itself can be a form of display-- my cats always would take big, long scratches, and look over their shoulders at me, like "Hey-- check it out!" They think they are doing something terrifically cool-- from a cat point of view, of course-- something they want everybody to see and admire -- so they would get pretty offended when I would chase them away from something they shouldn't be scratching. ;) Sounds like she is doing it partially to re-establish her territory, and as a self-comforting action. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com >>Speaking of scratching posts, I'm wondering if Oscar's behavior is normal. >>If she is frightened by a loud noise, a sudden movement, or, you know, [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > scratching. ;) Sounds like she is doing it partially to re-establish her > territory, and as a self-comforting action. Well, it's something that Oscar does, and so, by definition, it's cute =P Oscar looks at me after/while she's scratching, but her expression always seems to be more like, "Am I gonna get in trouble?" Hence, I lavish praise upon her to make it clear that she's being a good girl. Hrm. Maybe she's just figured out that scratching post + a certain look = praise. Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar > Speaking of scratching posts, I'm wondering if Oscar's behavior is > normal. Well, first of all, no cat's behavior is normal. They are all weird! If they weren't, we wouldn't love them so much. :) > If she is frightened by a loud noise, a sudden movement, or, you know, > anything at all, she'll run to the scratching post and frantically > scratch on it for a few seconds. Then she's fine. Is this a typical > response to anxiety, or is this just an Oscar-ism? That's interesting. Sounds like it soothes her to do that. My cats run to the scratcher when something they're looking forward to is about to happen, such as when I get up out of bed, and they're expecting to be fed. First, there's a stop at the scratcher for a few happy, rapid tugs on the claws, then trot-trot-trot off to the kitchen. Smudge also needs to get a few scratches in before she goes outside. It's part of the ritual. I haven't seen a cat do this when scared, but every cat has its own quirks. So I wouldn't worry about Oscar, sounds like it's just her way of calming herself down. Joyce > My cats run to the scratcher when something they're looking forward to > is about to happen, such as when I get up out of bed, and they're > expecting to be fed. First, there's a stop at the scratcher for a few > happy, rapid tugs on the claws, then trot-trot-trot off to the kitchen. That's what Vino does! We have a cat condo on the landing of the stairs and every morning when I get up and go down to the kitchen, he runs ahead of me and frantically scratches the sisal post. At this point I always yell: "Ooooooh, aaaaah, oh yeah, that feels good, oh so good! Yeah, baby!" and sometimes I even scratch the post too. Vino gives me a dirty look and runs ahead to the kitchen and yowls until I get his food out. -- Britta Sandpaper kisses, a cuddle and a purr. I have an alarm clock that's covered in fur! Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >Turbo scratcher? *raises eyebrow* I bet you've seen them. It's about 18" round, the middle is a cardboard scratching surface. Around it is a deep groove, with a plastic ball in it they bat around and around. They're about 10 dollars or so. If you haven't tried one, I bet all cats love them. It's the only toy here that gets regular use and they don't get tired of. Except that one that the ball lights up. I do't know why they don't like it. Sherry >>Turbo scratcher? *raises eyebrow* > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > regular use and they don't get tired of. Except that one that the ball > lights up. I do't know why they don't like it. Ahh. I've seen them, but my gut tells me that Oscar wouldn't care for them. I could be wrong, though. It's not like Oscar is exactly neglected in the toy department; she has toys strewn about the whole house. At some point, I'll have to try it. If, as I suspect, she doesn't care for the thing, I'll just donate it to the shelter. Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar >Speaking of scratching posts, I'm wondering if Oscar's behavior is normal. > If [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >or is >this just an Oscar-ism? Spicey is frightened of loud noises. The yard guys were using the leafblowers this AM. She hid between the washer & dryer. She's ok now, she's having her mid-day nap on my bed. Suz Macmoosette =^..^= =^..^= =^..^= =^..^= =^..^= =^..^= "People that hate cats will come back as mice in their next life." --Faith Resnick |\__/| (=':'=) (")_(") > Spicey is frightened of loud noises. The yard guys were using the > leafblowers this AM. She hid between the washer & dryer. She's ok now, she's > having her mid-day nap on my bed. Suz Macmoosette Poor girl! All that noise *is* disconcerting. I'd hide between the washer and dryer if I could fit, and if I thought it would block out the noise. Signaturemonique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey DLH with an attitude! > I wanted to take all of them home with me; of course, > if I could do that, I wouldn't be in this mess. Sigh. At least > I can keep visiting the kitties. Eros certainly enjoys it, and > Shorty also seemed to welcome me. Making the decision to get another is a big one. Just visiting and playing with them is a great thing for you to do for them now! It's got to be so hard being in cages while they wait for forever homes. Tears me up thinking about it. :( SignatureCheryl >> I wanted to take all of them home with me; of course, if I could do that, >> I wouldn't be in this mess. Sigh. At least I can keep visiting the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > hard being in cages while they wait for forever homes. Tears me up thinking > about it. :( Yeah, no kidding! I feel guilty even though I'm visiting Eros, because 1) I don't spend quite as much time on the other kitties in his condo and 2) Eros at least is in a condo. There are many cats that are in regulation (though roomy, with a ledge) cages, no play area at all. Today, I dropped by to hand off some flyers I'd made for Eros. The shelter folks were happy to take them and said they'd try to make them visible for Eros. Anything to encourage adoption. I also visited with Eros for a while. He was even huggier than yesterday. His roomie, Shorty, very politely came up and pawed at my leg ever so gently. It finally dawned on me that he might want some shoulder-time, too, so I picked him up, very carefully watching for signs of distress. Nope, he was happy. Eros purred so loudly from the ledge upon which I'd placed him that I had to put my ear right to Shorty's side to hear his very quiet purring. Meantime, the third roomie, Squeak, stayed up on his 6' ledge, where he seems to live. I gave him some head-skritches, but he seemed to be okay just keeping to himself, so I didn't push the issue. Shorty: http://www.boulderhumane.org//adopt/animals/A123079.html He has a white spot on his chest that you can't see in this picture. Squeak: http://www.boulderhumane.org//adopt/animals/A123058.html Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar > Today, I dropped by to hand off some flyers I'd made for Eros. > The shelter folks were happy to take them and said they'd try to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > head-skritches, but he seemed to be okay just keeping to > himself, so I didn't push the issue. Awww... good work on the flyers. I loved the mention of "homeless since ..." because those are the words that make people feel sad for them, and think again about giving a homeless cat a home. Tug on the heartstrings. It works! Purrs for them all. SignatureCheryl >> Today, I dropped by to hand off some flyers I'd made for Eros. The shelter >> folks were happy to take them and said they'd try to make them visible for [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > because those are the words that make people feel sad for them, and think > again about giving a homeless cat a home. Tug on the heartstrings. It works! Well, I'd made the flyers already when I was trying to directly place Eros, so it was pretty easy to (make my husband) print more and deliver them to the shelter. Yeah, I like the "homeless since" bit. They also have a periodic "featured pet." > Purrs for them all. Each and every one. The puppies, the kitties, the bunnies and meeses and any other creatures who aren't happily homed. Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar >I dropped by the shelter again today and donated some stuff that Oscar > rejected -- a hut-type bed and a few dancy toys. Then I asked to see [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > cages, where he'd get less stimulation and wouldn't be showcased as > well. I would hate it, if I had to part with a kitty like you had to. Mega purrs that Eros will find a meowmie or Paw that will love and spoil him for ever. Tweed > I would hate it, if I had to part with a kitty like you had to. Mega purrs > that Eros will find a meowmie or Paw that will love and spoil him for ever. I was in total despair, but thanks in large part to the compassionate and kind folks on this ng, I have now come somewhat to terms with it. It's going to be another shock when he's adopted for real and I can't visit him, I'm sure. Thank you for your purrs. Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar >> I would hate it, if I had to part with a kitty like you had to. Mega >> purrs [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Thank you for your purrs. I just know, somehow, that he is going to get a lovely home. Don't ask me why, but he will. Someone will come along that is perfect for the boy. Definitely. (if I wasn't so far away in Britain, I might have volunteered to have him myself) Tweed > I just know, somehow, that he is going to get a lovely home. Don't ask me > why, but he will. Someone will come along that is perfect for the boy. > Definitely. (if I wasn't so far away in Britain, I might have volunteered > to have him myself) I hope you're right. I actually got him through a freecycle ad; recently there's been a discussion about whether to allow people to offer pets this way, and someone mentioned an article in a Montana newspaper; a man had been answering all offers of free cats and using them as target practice. Literally. Maybe I should start answering more such ads and bringing them directly to the shelter. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford it. Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar >> I just know, somehow, that he is going to get a lovely home. Don't ask >> me [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > free > cats and using them as target practice. Literally. so what do the police have to say about this? > Maybe I should start answering more such ads and bringing them directly to > the > shelter. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford it. Does it cost a lot to do that? If so, start a charity to do it, and appeal for funds in newspapers, local radio, and TV. It can work. Tweed >>> I just know, somehow, that he is going to get a lovely home. Don't ask me >>> why, but he will. Someone will come along that is perfect for the boy. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > so what do the police have to say about this? I don't know. She didn't mention the newspaper's name, so I haven't verified that the story was actually printed. It's not anywhere near me. I seem to remember that the official freecycle stance is "no pets", but individual lists are administered by local people who set their own policies. I also don't know what Montana's laws have to say about what constitutes animal cruelty. I suppose it could be argued that this is no different from shooting a deer ... The question, I suppose, is this: If our freecycle list refuses to allow pet offerings, does this encourage people to take their pets to shelters, or do they just end up abandoning them near one of the copious farms? >> Maybe I should start answering more such ads and bringing them directly to >> the shelter. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford it. > > Does it cost a lot to do that? If so, start a charity to do it, and appeal > for funds in newspapers, local radio, and TV. It can work. Actually, I know they have a policy allowing the fee to be waived if you can't afford it. I also know that when I originally talked to the shelter about Eros, they encouraged me to try to find a home directly, for my own peace of mind, and bring him in only if I couldn't find anyone. It's only recently come to my attention that "free to good home" is an issue, and it's not clear to me that one must charge a fee to ensure that pets get good homes. I do believe it's possible for a person to find a good home for their pets by interview; they can do at least as good a job as the shelters can, and they know their pets best. Soooo ... I guess my fundamental issue is that I don't have the strength of my convictions, here. A pet offered for free may be in harm's way, but it may also find a great home. My compromise solution has been to email those offering or request free pets directly, advising them of some concerns. I have done this twice; I got no response to one, but I did get a reassuring response to the other. Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar > Actually, I know they have a policy allowing the fee to be waived if you > can't [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > have done this twice; I got no response to one, but I did get a reassuring > response to the other. Unless you actually know the people, never, ever give a pet away for free! "Free to good home" attracts all kinds of weirdos, like the person you mentioned. Anyone who really wants a pet doesn't mind paying an adoption fee. Not only that, but a shelter knows what types of questions to ask and can do things like check vetting records. Something bothers me about having pet ads on Freecycle, like they are being given away, just like old TV's and out-of-style clothes :-( Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG >Something bothers me about having >pet ads on Freecycle, like they are being given away, just like old TV's and >out-of-style clothes :-( It bothers me, too. Mostly because I know there's an unspayed female mother who is probably going to crank out another litter in a few months. Sherry >Soooo ... I guess my fundamental issue is that I don't have the strength of >my [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >have done this twice; I got no response to one, but I did get a reassuring >response to the other. The biggest concern about "free to good home" probably stems from 1. People who gather kittens for snake food 2. People who gather kittens to train pit bulldogs 3. People who gather kittens to sell to laboratories for animal testing 4. People who get a kitten for the kids and aren't really serious about a lifetime commitment. I don't ever charge for animals, but unless I know the person, I ask for reimbursement for vaccinations.. In my opinion, if the person isn't willing to pay for that, they won't be willing to pay for basic vet care in the future. At the shelter, you can adopt a cat who is already spayed and vaccinated for an adoption fee of $70. Anybody who's ever paid for those services can tell, that's a great deal. Sherry Sherry >>Soooo ... I guess my fundamental issue is that I don't have the strength of >>my [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Sherry I understand the concerns. But I also suspect that the vast majority of free pets go to groups outside of points 1-3. I think you would find a variety of opinion on what would constitute point four. Declawing? Keeping the cat indoors? Keeping the cat outdoors? At what point are the vet bills or the suffering too much? I agree that shelter pets are a great deal. But Oscar was free, and Eros was free, and I don't think that I fit into categories one through four. Well, possibly four, as I think I should have researched the introduction of cats better. Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar > I understand the concerns. But I also suspect that the vast majority > of free pets go to groups outside of points 1-3. I think you would [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > through four. Well, possibly four, as I think I should have > researched the introduction of cats better. Bagheera was free to a good home. Me. His original owner had to move away to look after her sick mother. Baggy spent most of the first 7 months of his life in a boarding cattery. I know the cattery owner, so when Baggy's firsy slave wanted to rehome him, Jackie, the cattery owner, gave me a call. The rest is history. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. >I think you would find a variety of >opinion on what would constitute point four. Declawing? Keeping the cat >indoors? Keeping the cat outdoors? At what point are the vet bills or the >suffering too much? No, not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the cat who gets in the fan blade of the car, and the leg begins to rot off, so Daddy-Owner gets out the hacksaw and amputates it. True story, and I can tell a hundred more like that one. Some people don't take take their pets to the vet, period. Those are the people you've got to weed out when you're giving away kittens. I"m very lax about indoor/outdoor, I think it's a personal decision that should be made with regard to the safety of your area. But I"m quite militant about declaw. Sherry >>I think you would find a variety of opinion on what would constitute point >>four. Declawing? Keeping the cat indoors? Keeping the cat outdoors? At [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > be made with regard to the safety of your area. But I"m quite militant about > declaw. All you can really do is ask some questions and go by your gut, as near as I can tell. I'm not convinced that an experienced, open-eyed pet owner will necessarily do a worse job on this than a shelter. Especially if the shelter has more pets than room to put them. Signaturemonique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey DLH with an attitude! >All you can really do is ask some questions and go by your gut, as near as I >can tell. I'm not convinced that an experienced, open-eyed pet owner will >necessarily do a worse job on this than a shelter. Especially if the shelter >has more pets than room to put them. I agree that there's no magic wand shelters use to gauge pet owners -- anybody can do it. And you're right, gut instinct has to come into play. People *know* the "right answers", and people will lie to you. Most importantly is to let them talk, and don't interrupt. They'll eventually convince you, or hang themselves. Shelters generally ask for vet references, and landlord references, which we do check. We discussed this on another group recently. Really though, lack of space doesn't play into leniency with adoptions. We still won't place cats with "just anybody who will take them." I might get flamed to a crisp for this, but there are worse fates than euthanasia out there. Homing a cat is an awesome responsibility. Frankly, I hate it. You can be responsible for a life of suffering and neglect if you're not careful. Sherry > The biggest concern about "free to good home" probably stems from > 1. People who gather kittens for snake food [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > adoption fee of $70. Anybody who's ever paid for those services can tell, > that's a great deal. (4) is the only one that's an issue here, and it isn't always people getting a pet for the kids; sometimes it's a pet for themselves and they aren't able or willing to care for it. Our shelter can't afford to offer spaying and vaccinating at all. I'm not sure of the current offer; usually it's a fee (a smaller one) and maybe a coupon for a discounted or free checkup. "Free to good home" is a risky way to find a place for cats (although that's how I got Mandy), but there are worse ones. The spokeswoman for the local SPCA was on the radio recently, and just like every other time, she asked people to please not just dump their animals at the door of the shelter when it isn't open. It seems a lot of people do this because they don't want to explain to the staff why they are giving up the animal. SignatureCheryl >Our shelter can't afford to offer spaying and vaccinating at all. I'm not >sure of the current offer; usually it's a fee (a smaller one) and maybe a >coupon for a discounted or free checkup. But surely you don't adopt out whole cats? It's a state law here; we have to either neuter them, or collect a deposit from the adoptor and hold it until they bring back proof of neutering from a vet, as soon as the kitten is old enough. I used to be a lot more easy-going about adoptions than I am now. I have just seen too many horror stories. Sherry > >Our shelter can't afford to offer spaying and vaccinating at all. I'm not >>sure of the current offer; usually it's a fee (a smaller one) and maybe a [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Sherry Eeeek!! A shelter adopting out unspayed/neutered cats? To me that's disturbing content! Ours used to give out "Plan A's" which are basically coupons from the state to get your pet s/n. But, we found it better to spend the $$ and send out ALL cats s/n, and we are working on all dogs, too. So far we can neuter dogs at our vetting suite but not spay yet. We even s/n all kittens. It means they end up going out at more like 10 weeks then 8, but it's worth it. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG > We even >s/n all kittens. It means they end up going out at more like 10 weeks then >8, but it's worth it. Our vets *still won't* do early S/N. NOt before 6 MONTHS. So we still have to do the stupid deposit certificate for kittens. It's a PITA to do the callbacks and nag the new owners to make sure they're getting it done. I really wish the vets would change on that. Sherry >Kelly wrote: >> We even >>s/n all kittens. It means they end up going out at more like 10 weeks then [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >and nag the new owners to make sure they're getting it done. >I really wish the vets would change on that. I wish I knew what a happy balance was. When we adopted Sumo and Natasha from the shelter, you filled out the paperwork and paid the fees. Then you picked up the kittens from the veterinary clinic in two days. I'm not sure exactly how old they were, but they were tiny enough to almost fit in a shirt pocket. If medical doctors can do open-heart surgery on newborn human babies, I guess that vets can operate on very young kittens as well. Regards and Purrs, O J > If medical doctors can do >open-heart surgery on newborn human babies, I guess that vets can >operate on very young kittens as well. > >Regards and Purrs, >O J From what I hear and read, it is very safe. I just don't know why our vets won't do it. Not one in the whole county will, they stick together on the 6-months=old rule. > Our vets *still won't* do early S/N. NOt before 6 MONTHS. So we still have > to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I really wish the vets would change on that. > Sherry Really?? Even neuters? Our shelter vet actually likes doing kitten spays better than adults, says they are easier and there is much less bleeding. Plus, the kittens recover so much more quickly than the adults. Neuters are so quick and easy, I don't know why they wouldn't do a kitten neuter. We started doing kitten s/n because we also hated trying to chase down people, too. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG > Eeeek!! A shelter adopting out unspayed/neutered cats? To me that's > disturbing content! Ours used to give out "Plan A's" which are basically [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > s/n all kittens. It means they end up going out at more like 10 weeks then > 8, but it's worth it. Where we got Nocturne, in Ontario, she was whole when we got her, but we had to sign a contract stating that we would spay her. Nobody ever really followed up on that though...then again, we had to buy a license for her at the shelter and on that it stated she'd been spayed, so maybe they find out that way. --Fil > Where we got Nocturne, in Ontario, she was whole when we got her, but we had > to sign a contract stating that we would spay her. Nobody ever really > followed up on that though...then again, we had to buy a license for her at > the shelter and on that it stated she'd been spayed, so maybe they find out > that way. This was the case for my dog Puma (RB) ... but that was almost 16 years ago now, so probably not relevant. Signaturemonique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey^H^H^H^Hblue-cream DLH with an attitude! > But surely you don't adopt out whole cats? It's a state law here; we have to > either neuter them, or collect a deposit from the adoptor and hold it until > they bring back proof of neutering from a vet, as soon as the kitten is old > enough. > I used to be a lot more easy-going about adoptions than I am now. I have just > seen too many horror stories. The first of our shelter's policies are: Adoption Policies 1.You must be prepared to pay a fee:$40.00 for a cat or kitten and $60.00 for a dog or puppy. 2.You must be prepared to have your animal spayed or neutered when it reaches the proper age. Expect to pay between $100 to $200 at a local veterinarian. 3. You must be prepared to have animal examined by a veterinarian within 7 days after you adopt an animal from the shelter. A courtesy general examination and vaccination appointment can be made at the participating veterinarian of your choice. (See Local Veterinary Services). There are other rules, of course, but those are the relevant ones. It wouldn't be a provinicial issue here, I don't think. It seems to me that although there are laws at other levels, most of the animal control stuff is at the municipal level, at least judging by the complaints I hear about how various municipalities fall down on the job. The shelter isn't within walking or bus distance for me, which is just as well because I hate going there. I always want to take all the cats and most of the dogs home. Just look: http://www.spcashelter.nf.ca/adoptions.asp?type=CAT They were able finally to build a modern new building thanks to a bequest, and although of course they still often have more animals than room, it's always been spotlessly clean and the animals well cared for when I've been there. The same was true in the old shelter, an ancient house no one else wanted, basically. But they certain appear to adopt out unspayed and unneutered animals, just as they did years ago. -- Cheryl >The shelter isn't within walking or bus distance for me, which is just as >well because I hate going there. I always want to take all the cats and [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >-- >Cheryl Cheryl, I didn't realize you were in Newfoundland. Just when I think I"ve got everyone figured out :-) Your shelter looks like a very nice one. They have a great website. Sherry |
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