Pet Rescue

Remember this feral guy who needed a permanent home? Commentor TomatoQueen in Virginia stepped up, so now he needs to get from Minneapolis to Virginia. New message from commentor Edith:

Black Kitty had a clean vet visit this week, and will be ready to travel to his new home after his neuter. The current plan is to schedule his surgery as close to transport date as possible, and then have him stay at the vet until pick-up.

I’m hoping the Balloon-Juice community can help get him from Minneapolis to Arlington, VA. I know a few people in the comments offered to drive, although I wouldn’t want to call them out in a front page post in case it doesn’t work for them now.

I’ve gotten some quotes on transport that range from $750 to $900. I also know that some commenters have closer ties to non-profit groups that might work too. This is all new to me, so basically I’d like to throw it out to the jackal hive mind for help.

You guys know the drill: If you have suggestions about the best transport methods, leave a comment below. Once we’ve got a firmer date and cost quote, I’ll have another post, ask people who want to donate to email me, and I’ll forward Edith’s PayPal-or-similar address to each of you directly. (After I chip in a little myself, of course!)

Cat Rescue Transport Bleg (Minneapolis MN to Arlington, VA)Post + Comments (83)

From former lurker Edith:

We are looking for a home for this cute little fella. We already have four, and a toddler, so we’re at our limit. Here’s what we know about him.

We think he’s a feral rather than a dumped pet. He’s been coming around for a couple of years to visit the food dish and heated water dish. He was very skittish at first, but started to warm up to us in the last year. Last winter he started following my son and I to the park, and otherwise hanging out with us when we were outside.

By this spring and summer he was clearly thinking that maybe being warm and having a person of his very own might be worth the loss of independence. I’ve caught him peeking in the screen door more than once, clearly hoping he might be invited inside. Later this summer and fall he started jumping up into our laps to be petted. He mostly avoids our toddler’s attempts to pet him, but hasn’t been aggressive. If our other cats are out in the yard he lurks around the edges, but stays out of their reach. I think he’d be ok with other cats. No idea about dogs.

We took him to the vet this summer for an infected foot. He was pretty passive with the vet. He was FIV/FeLV negative at that time, although he’s been in a few fights since then, so I can’t promise that he still is. I was unsure if we’d be able to get him in on a schedule, so we didn’t start the vaccinations. I have no idea what he knows about a litter box.

I don’t know his age but he probably 2-3 given how long he’s been coming around. We’d pay to have him neutered and start all his vaccinations. We could drive a reasonable distance, but not more than an hour or two each way. We just want a good home for this special, sweet little guy before winter.

You know the drill — if you’re interested, or know somebody who might be, leave a comment below. Or send me an email at annelaurie (dot) bj (at) gmail, and I’ll forward your message to Edith. Fingers crossed we can help this charmer out!

REPOST: Cat Rescue Bleg – Minneapolis AreaPost + Comments (24)

From former lurker Edith:

We are looking for a home for this cute little fella. We already have four, and a toddler, so we’re at our limit. Here’s what we know about him.

We think he’s a feral rather than a dumped pet. He’s been coming around for a couple of years to visit the food dish and heated water dish. He was very skittish at first, but started to warm up to us in the last year. Last winter he started following my son and I to the park, and otherwise hanging out with us when we were outside.

By this spring and summer he was clearly thinking that maybe being warm and having a person of his very own might be worth the loss of independence. I’ve caught him peeking in the screen door more than once, clearly hoping he might be invited inside. Later this summer and fall he started jumping up into our laps to be petted. He mostly avoids our toddler’s attempts to pet him, but hasn’t been aggressive. If our other cats are out in the yard he lurks around the edges, but stays out of their reach. I think he’d be ok with other cats. No idea about dogs.

We took him to the vet this summer for an infected foot. He was pretty passive with the vet. He was FIV/FeLV negative at that time, although he’s been in a few fights since then, so I can’t promise that he still is. I was unsure if we’d be able to get him in on a schedule, so we didn’t start the vaccinations. I have no idea what he knows about a litter box.

I don’t know his age but he probably 2-3 given how long he’s been coming around. We’d pay to have him neutered and start all his vaccinations. We could drive a reasonable distance, but not more than an hour or two each way. We just want a good home for this special, sweet little guy before winter.

You know the drill — if you’re interested, or know somebody who might be, leave a comment below. Or send me an email at annelaurie (dot) bj (at) gmail, and I’ll forward your message to Edith. Fingers crossed we can help this charmer out!

Cat Rescue Bleg – Minneapolis AreaPost + Comments (38)

From rescuer Barbara:

I am asking for help for some cats that have gotten stranded in Colorado Springs, in particular, anyone who could foster or transport in the area. The very small rescue I work with in the Springs is short on fosters but can provide supplies and I would cover gas if transport is needed…

Details: Rescuers in Oklahoma often transport cats to Colorado where they have a better chance of being adopted. Karen sent 6 cats via rescue flight to a rescue in Pueblo. Unfortunately the rescuer there tried to take too many and got busted. Karen’s cats ended up at the HSPPR. She has no way of getting them back. No other rescues have room at this time. HSPPR is also charging Karen the regular adoption fee to get the cats out. She is not a 501(©3) and does rescue on her own dime.

Penelope and Rose are wobblies – they have cerebral hypoplasia. I have offered to take them – problem is I now live in Tallahassee FL. Second problem – the kittens are being treated for ringworm. Once we get them out of the shelter, they will need a foster until they are cleared to be transported and we can arrange transport. The alternative is to try boarding them, which is expensive.

The other four who also need fosters (or adopters): Sage (male) and Jill (both grey tabbies) are adults; Sterling (brown tabby) and Judah (grey) are about 9-10 months old. If anyone can foster them – supplies provided – please let me know.

I have Barbara’s email and phone number; if you can help (or know someone who can), leave a comment, or contact me at annelaurie (dot) bj (at) gmail (dot) com.

Cat Fosters / Transport Needed – Colorado SpringsPost + Comments (19)

From commentor Dangerman:

There is an ~8 year old Orange Tabby cat that just lost its owner where I live (call it San Luis Obispo, which explains the SLO in my email nym). My location is a bit of an advantage as I’m almost exactly halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

That said, a place “more country than city” would be better for him. His owner passed at 85 and loved this cat in a very big way (I’m a friend); in other words, this cat is spoiled in the extreme, but also very, VERY smart.

There is already kind of an option in place to house this cat but I believe that is much more of a trial/boarding thing than a permanent home thing, so I need to look for options in case of a further emergency.

So, about the cat in a few lines:

(1) VERY friendly, but not really a lap cat; he’ll do laps for a few minutes here and there, but it really isn’t his thing. Sleeping in a sunny spot someplace is his thing. He’s presently being boarded for a few nights and all the Vet Techs are gushing about him as to how chill he is (“so, you want to take my temperature, huh? *yawn*, OK, just make it kinda quick, OK, I got a nap to get to here”)

(2) He’s fixed but still has his claws; he doesn’t believe in cat scratching posts (walks by them, looks, and appears to laugh), so if people have antique furniture or similar, this is not the cat for them

(3) I stated it previously – this cat is SMART; I’ve never seen a cat so well trained. Now, he is a little older and I have no idea about old cats and new tricks. He either has an amazing biological clock or he has learned how to tell time as I could set a watch by his arrivals to be fed morning, evening, and noontime snacks each day (“lessee, big hand there, little hand there, I get food, WOOHOO”)

(4) He just had his shots and annual checkup; there was a minor anomaly in his urine results, but the Vet said no concern at all, just maybe something to watch for in the future

(5) Oh, important, this cat does his business outside; he is litter box trained but from all available evidence (you seriously don’t want to know) he only uses the litter box if his bladder or bowels are about to explode. He might use the box once a week or so

(6) Oh, also very important, this thing is an amazing hunter; he has a bell around his neck but still finds a way to bring in birds, rodents, and bats (yes, bats). He doesn’t kill; he just wants to play. Well, that presents a problem since the animals involved aren’t into the whole play thing. (ESPECIALLY the bats, who are otherwise highly skilled at playing dead, which places the human, generally me, at some risk when I go to dispose of the presumed dead bat.)

If you are interested, know someone who might be interested, or have other helpful suggestions: Leave a comment below, or contact me at annelaurie (dot) bj (at) gmail, and I’ll forward your message to the Dangerman.

Cat Rescue Bleg – Central CaliforniaPost + Comments (25)