Please think about helping your local pet shelter

[blondie58]

I am writing this thinking of all of the kittens that will be born soon. It is early here in CO, but we have had several nice days, and there are pregnant moms already.

Most shelters are overwhelmed and need our help. There is a limit on the number of occupants allowed. I help a shelter here (www.angelswithpaws.net) and have helped out with numerous kittens. It has been deeply rewarding, although heartbreaking at times- thinking back to the three newborn kittens who needed to be fed with a dropper. It seems that it is extremely important to have the warmth of Mom there, something even a heating pad can't help with. That was sad, as they all succumbed, one by one, to permanent slumber.

Many shelters would welcome a person to take a litter of kittens home, with and without Mom, until they are large enough to be spayed and neutered. One plus is- you get first dibs and sometimes a reduced rate on anyone that you can't give back!

My shelter will even let you foster an older animal. They really just care about the quality of life for the animal.

Shelters that also have dogs have a large need for fosters also.

Thank you all for your consideration. It just feels good to help out our animal friends. I am also convinced that foster kittens are the sweetest, well socialized cats around!

[stuntcat]

1. I have a 3-hour orientation scheduled at..

at my local Animal Welfare League! I can't drive but it's just a mile from me so I can walk there in about 15 minutes, any time it's not storming too bad. I've told them I'd like to clean up after animals and help with socializing them and even help gardening on the grounds of the place. I've walked by the AWLA (AWL of Arlington) on my way to volunteer at PBS, which I do every week but my favorite lady there is leaving, so I want to switch to helping at the animal shelter now. I've been afraid to stop by there because this stuff makes me so sad but I think I'm ready to handle it now :)
After my orientation there on April 5th, they're gonna give me an intense sounding interview and ask me for a year commitment to volunteering.. they're so serious about this stuff.
I wish I could help fostering cats, they've already asked me about that so they must really need people to do it. Two of mine are very cool with new cats, Tonka even takes over caring for kittens, he's so sweet :loveya: but one of them is a nervous spaz who'd probably hate the foster-kitten. I don't know yet, we'll see.. Anyway, next month, orientation :headbang:

[blondie58]

3. cool, stuntcat- give us an update after your orientation

and I know it is a little tricky bringing fosters home when you already have some other furpets there, but my shelter says that it is okay to have them with your existing pets if you even have a separate room for the fosters. Introductions should be handled gradually. I am afraid that I never did that, though. Never had any real problems, though. I practically had a cat shelter of my own at one time when I had upwards of fifteen cats! Isn't a cat like a potato chip though, you can't have just one?


edited due to an extra letter, due to typing with one finger because of recent rotator cuff surgery!

[stuntcat]

6. lol, I will NEVER have just one :p

I've been in San Fran the past week but now I'm home and ready to start at AWLA.. this Saturday.. I'm kinda nervous.. hope they like me :scared:

[flvegan]

2. Excellent post! Seconded!

[ThomCat]

4. When the day comes that I can't work anymore

and I'm stuck at home living on disability I hope I can foster older cats that need homes. My limit is 3 at a time, I think, but even that is a small help.

Have you posted this in GD or in the Lounge? It would be really good to get a wider audience. :)

[blondie58]

5. that is a great idea, ThomCat

I've posted it on the Pets column, but yeah, I am sure that many people in the Lounge would get something from it. And that is great about wanting to foster OLDER cats- they're the forgotten ones, as everyone wants a kitten. Older cats can still have a lot of pep to them and they need our attention and love, too.

[WillParkinson]

7. Wish I could...

But we have 3 dogs and 3 cats (all shelter rescues) and just have no more room.

Though I have been thinking about moving the husband out...that should free up enough space to get another kitty...

[Critters2]

8. I just discovered there's a bloodhound rescue org hq'd just up the road.

I'm a hound person, and know the pleasures and pains of dealing with four-legged noses. So, I'm probably gonna call tomorrow to see what help they might need.

Thanks for the encouragement! :hi: