Commentor Demz Taters:
We have a stray kitty that is breaking our hearts and we hope that the Balloon-Juicers can help. She showed up at our house in south-central Phoenix about three weeks ago, and we really couldn’t do anything but start feeding her.
She is probably around 9 months old and is a sweet and affectionate cat who deserves a loving home, but we are already maxed out on animals on our lease. We can’t find a no-kill shelter in Phoenix that will take strays, and we’re afraid that if she’s out there much longer, there will be kittens on the doorstep as well.
At the very least we would like to get her fixed and get her a clean bill of health so we can bring her in out of the Phoenix heat, clean her up and offer her to the shelters again as a non-stray. However, it’s difficult for us to manage the cost of a vet visit, as well as the logistics of getting her there, since I work in the northern part of the state and have the family’s only car up there all week.
Ideally we’d love to see her in a forever home, but even if someone could bring her to the vet and return her, she’ll be a lot better off than before.
If you know of a no-kill shelter or rescue group in the area, please leave a comment. If you would like to talk to D.T. directly, or donate via PayPal, contact me (click on my name in the right-hand column under ‘Authors’, or use annelaurie at verizon dot net).
Southern Beale
I’m sure they’ve checked into this already but most cities of any size have free or reduced-cost spay/neuter services through the local SPCA. No such thing in Phoenix? Would be good to get the procreation issue taken care of.
PaulW
is there a Trap-Neuter-Release program you can go to? they’ll spay her before she can get pregnant, and keep her basically healthy as long as she remains an outdoor feral.
satby
Here’s the spay neuter program in Phoenix: http://pacc911.org/spay-neuter
satby
I’m overdrawn right now, but most of the trap-spay-release programs have very modest fees of $10 to $25.00.
I’m happy to kick in a bit when I’m back to solvent for the spay.
satby
Also a SNAP in the area: Phoenix Spay and Neuter Assistance Program 602-942-7283
A volunteer may be able to do the pick-up and return if you let them know that transportation or mobility is an issue.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
I used to donate to RESCUE, which is a no-kill shelter in the Phoenix area:
http://www.azrescue.org
They mostly seem to take animals from the local county shelters, but they may have room or know of a place that does.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
Also, too, since she’s friendly, you’re probably safe telling the local rescues that she’s an abandoned pet rather than a feral. That will make a big difference to them, because it makes her much more adoptable.
satby
@Mnemosyne (iPhone): Tell them that you think that after she’s spayed in a TNR.
Too many people try to cheap out on spaying by claiming their kittens are ferals.
Edited to add: to be fair, lots of the SNAP groups don’t care, but some pure TNR programs won’t do the spay if they think she’s a pet.
demz taters
Thanks for posting this! I will follow up on all suggestions.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@satby:
It probably depends on how available low-cost spay and neuter is in that city. Here in Los Angeles, the county and city animal shelters have low-cost programs, so TNR programs here can probably just steer people to them.
MazeDancer
@demz taters:
Thank you for taking care of this sweet kitty.
May the BJ donations take care of enough things you can keep her safe while you look for a home or shelter. Even outdoors and fed in Phoenix better than alone. She’s so pretty, you will find her a home.
mai naem mobile
Ill chip in for the spay.and I’ll ask around but pretty much everybody I know has multiple pets..theres the animal welfare league.around 40th st and washington. They’re a no-kill shelter.
Prescott Cactus
No kill shelter in PHX area. Neighbor has used them and liked their operation.
http://www.4pawsrescue.org/
demz taters
The problem with the no-kill shelters is that they won’t take strays. If we can get her cleaned up and have paperwork showing she’s been seen by a vet and doesn’t have anything nasty, we can try them again.
casey
I see there are some great solutions posted. If they solve the problem, great! if you still need us to put a few bucks in the ‘kitty’, please let us know. Do you need funds for a vet visit? Cab fare?
TaMara (BHF)
Posted on FB and it’s already been shared twice, so fingers crossed.
MazeDancer
@demz taters:
Anne Laurie, bless her, is diligently sending out the emails for your PayPal. Imagine that many of us have tweeted, etc. (I mentioned in mine that delivery can be arranged for any state. Which is a BJ tradition.)
But please keep us updated here that enough donations are happening. Since it is not one of those fund-it things, only you know you’re getting what the care requires, and that it’s happening.
dopealope
I would happy to contribute some bucks to get the kitty to the vet. Do you have a paypal address?
MazeDancer
@dopealope: Email Anne Laurie, she’s sending the PayPal address info. Either click on her name in front page sidebar or, as noted in post: annelaurie at verizon dot net
dopealope
@MazeDancer:
Done and thanks …
WaterGirl
Such a beautiful girl! That face haunts me but I am already overwhelmed with the two pups and two kitties I already have.
Love love love the photo with the outstretched paws. Funny how you can almost fall in love from a photo. Keep us posted.
MazeDancer
Just want to add to any one who may arrive here from someone’s tweet or FaceBook mention, if you live far away from AZ but want this sweet kitty, she can be delivered to you.
This blog has funded and arranged transport before.
demz taters
I knew the people here would be awesome but I’m still blown away and humbled by just how awesome! And thanks to AL, she now has a name – meet Strawberry Shortcake.
I think we will be able to get her to a vet tomorrow or Friday. Thank you so much! Now what’s that in my eye…
Suzanne
There are low-cost spays in PHX. We got one of ours done for under $50. Have you tried AZ animal Welfare League?
demz taters
Update – Unless someone wants us to ship her across the country, we have received sufficient funds to take care of this sweet kitty. I will let you know if anything changes. If there is anything left over, we can either return it to the donors, donate to Marion Animal Resource Connection which this blog supports, or pass it on to an animal rescue in Phoenix. Please let me know.
demz taters
@Suzanne: We also want her examined and to have her shots so that we can foster her in the house while she recuperates from surgery and sheds the desperate hungry stray look. We just don’t want her around our other cats, which are strictly indoor, until she has a clean bill of health.
blackcain
Too bad you can’t ship her to Oregon. All the shelters here are no-kill and in Washington County, our local shelter has a 100% adoption rate. I think it is because Oregonians love animals and give copious amounts of money to their shelters. I know I have given over a 150 dollars and more in a course of a year.
That said, I can ship in some bucks to help.
satby
@demz taters: Keep us posted, because if she needs transport we can help with that. I can attest this is a great community that have saved countless animals.
WaterGirl
@satby: quick wave hello as I head off to bed…
SiubhanDuinne
I put this on my FB wall. One of my Phx friends said to check the AZ Humane Society (free or discount clinics, and referrals no no-kill shelters), and a friend of a friend suggested Altered Tails (Phx).
Debbie(aussie)
You are bunch of wonderful people. Pity Queensland, Australia is soooooooo far away. She is gorgeous.
Riley's Enabler
I logged in this am planning to donate – couldn’t last night as I was on my phone and the site doesn’t show the email addys when on mobile – only to see you’ve all taken care of this sweet girl. Wow. This is a lovely community.
If it comes around that she needs transport, please let us know – happy to chip in for her. Such good news.
demz taters
@Suzanne: Thank you for the suggestion – she is scheduled for her appointment this coming Saturday.
Joy in FL
@demz taters: I just donated via paypal– hadn’t read Balloon Juice since yesterday. So if you don’t need my money for the dear kitty, please pass it on to an animal rescue in Phoenix.
So that you can identify me, here is what I wrote in the note section on Paypal:
“Hi. This is for the dear little stray kitty you are helping. I read your “pet bleg” on Balloon Juice. I think you are so wonderful to help this cat. …”