Saturday afternoon, me and my boyfriend found three stray newborn kittens. The mom never came back, and we took them in to protect them from the rain, the rat poison the city was putting out, and because they looked malnourished. We've been feeding them, just bathed them yesterday, picked off their fleas--just taking care of them.
But here's the thing: we're dog people. I already have a German Shepherd/Collie mix and I need to take in my sister's mini pincher this week for a long term stay. The idea of having 5 animals to look after seems a bit overwhelming.
Me and my boyfriend think the best thing to do is to take the kittens to a no-kill shelter, but I feel so guilty about it. I'm beginning to wonder if we should have took them in or left them outside, and I'm scared about the quality of care at any shelter. I feel so responsible for them so I don't know if we should try to keep them.
What do you guys think? I'm really struggling with this one--emotionally
2006-08-28 07:56:06 · 20 answers · asked by annabanana4883 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
OK--I've been calling around to no-kill shelters in the area (Chicago area) and they're all full. Also, the shelters that aren't full can't take car of the kittens because they need around the clock care. The only shelters that will take them are ones that cannot promise the kitties won't be euthanized.
I'm really having trouble with this. I guess we'll try the classifieds. Friends and family are out because of allergies, lack of room, or lack of time. This just sucks because I feel like I was trying to do a good thing, and I do care about these kittens, but I'm trying to do the responsible thing and hand them over to someone who knows how to care for them, but it's just not working. I am so overwhelmed right now. Any more friendly words would really be appreciated. Thanks for all your answers so far.
2006-08-28 08:40:17 · update #1
I finally found a place for them--The South Suburban Humane Society! It's about an hour drive into the suburbs, but I feel good about the place. They actually have a foster home with a nursing mother cat right now, and they can take them on Wednesday.
Thank all of you guys for your advice and friendly words. This was a much more emotional event than I thought it would be, but your words helped me out. Thank you soooooo much!! I wish I could give all you guys 1000 points each! :-)
2006-08-28 11:40:56 · update #2
I had the exact same problem you are currently having about a month ago. A friend that was staying with us brought to our home and kitten that was in very bad shape. Mites, fleas (big full grown ones), he had a broken tail, and broken shoulder, and he was either stepped on or didn't develop right. And he was a tiny kitten.
I know you feel guilty, the those kittens are too young to be taken car of by you. We ending up taking the kitten we had to the local humain society, so they could give her the care she really needed. I would try your local humain society and see that their polices are. Also, the only reason we too our to one was because a local business here ran a kitten/cat shelter all by herself (the owner) was closed for the weekend and we were leaving on vacation. I would search the net around your area and see if there are any "home" run shelters. The one in my area is a nice lady that takes in strays, she keeps them up dated on their shots and keeps them until they are adopted. You might beable to find a person like that in your area.
Also after we got back from our vacation 2 weeks later, our house was infested with fleas (it didn't even occur to me, i just thought Ninja would be ok cuz we keep him on his flea meds).... it was really bad and i was totally pissed off. We do have a year old male, and we couldn't bring him home from hte "babysitters" cuz we spent two days cleaning our home.
2006-08-28 09:39:22 · answer #1 · answered by cougardame 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a cat person myself. I have two girls that I rescued out of a ad in the free pet section of my newspaper, and a boy that was left on my doorstep in a box with no airholes.
He had fleas and worms. I bought some worming solution at a pet store. I also administered it to my girls, just as a precaution.
On with your situation, I would try to find a no kill shelter, but, if you feel really responsible, then look into putting in a free ad in a newspaper for free kittens. You can meet the people that wish to acquire the kittens as well as you can then decide whether or not you feel that the family would be good for the kittens. It might take a little bit of time, but, I know that the kittens in my area go really quickly. Just make sure that you ask about other pets in the house if you keep them and try to give them away that way.
2006-08-28 08:13:01 · answer #2 · answered by navymilitarybrat76 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm in Chicago too, Have you tried Heartland Animal Shelter on N Milwaukee? They are no kill and they might take them.
Just a feeling....They have a good vet back up and their act together in many ways. I do not agree with some of their policies but they have a tech on duty and are connected to a vets office. You could be confident that if they accepted your charges that they would be getting quality care. You are doing a good thing caring for these three little guys. Get them to a good shelter and put your mind at rest. Also PAWS has a good list of links on their web page for more shelters you may not have tried yet.
Good luck, if they were 6-8 weeks I might take one, but I can't do 24 hour care right now either.
2006-08-28 11:33:26 · answer #3 · answered by Jane B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure where you are located but I live near Erie, Pennsylvania and they have a non-profit called Because You Care. If your community has some place like that, they would probably be your best bet. Also, we have a dog and three cats and they all get along just fine. I understand the feelings because two of our cats were strays as well. I wouldn't take them to the local pound if they couldn't guarantee that they would not be euthanized. However, like I said, some communities have no-kill shelters and someplace like Because You Care would probably be your best bet. Also, you could try to find friends that may be interested, and then you could still see the kittens on occasion, like a good auntie!
2006-08-28 08:24:44 · answer #4 · answered by hbennett76 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, maybe you could consider putting them in the news paper of the bargainfiner of sorts, people all over would love to have a kitten or 2, i know out here, when i can't handle the kittens that are spit out, or the ones that i find astray, i just turn around and put them in the paper when theyre ready. people call me, i put them through 90 questions and if i feel that they're right for my kittens then i give them to them. It's a nice way to give them a nice life without feeling bad because of what you've done. Classifieds really work, and most of the time the people'll keep in touch with you to keep you updated on what's going on with the kittens.
2006-08-28 08:22:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My dear, you have done a wonderful deed in taking in the kittens. It does not fall on you to solve the problems of pet overpopulation.
Euthanasia is not the worst thing that can happen to kittens. Until everybody will take responsibility for the uncontrolled breeding of cats at times there is no other solution. There is just not enough money to give these unwanted creatures shelter.
I love cats and you know that many human beings are subjected to miserable lives in this world.
2006-08-28 08:48:43 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I vote the no-kill shelter. They're kittens.... so they will be adopted very soon! You know how pet people are- and a shelter will take very good care of them, considering and abetting by your state's local pet laws. I think you shouldn't feel guilty: five animals is a lot! Besides, you saved their lives in the first place.
Also, shelters are only really difficult for the older cats and older (and black) dogs. Your kittens are sweet, playful and young- and you saving their lives gave them hope and families that will love them!!!
2006-08-28 08:03:39 · answer #7 · answered by Leigh 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Giving them to a shelter is much better than to just leaving them out. Usually kittens are quickly adopted out because everyone wants them. You can call the ASPCA or PETA or the local pound and ask them on their policies. As for kittens--they aren't really too much trouble--just litter box and food. My cat gets along with dogs just fine. Good luck! :)
2006-08-28 08:02:48 · answer #8 · answered by graduate student 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A stray cat had kittens on my porch one year (I guess she felt safe there). I took her and the kittens to a shelter because they all looked malnourished. They were welcomed and taken care of very well. They eventually all found homes - even the mama cat.
2006-08-28 08:04:28 · answer #9 · answered by TJMiler 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you don't feel like you can take on the responsibility...and it is a big responsibility with flea meds, spay and neuter fees, shots, worm medication, ear mite medication (they probably have both worms and ear mites from being outside) then I would try running an ad to find them homes. Beware of anyone who wants all three; people will take them and sell them to science labs. If you can't find homes for them, then I would take them to the shelter. You can't take in every stray, but the responsible thing is to make sure they are safe and taken care of. The shelter will do this.
2006-08-28 08:04:15 · answer #10 · answered by Okkieneko 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋