It was another one of those situations. Animals in need - no place for them. I tell you this story with the hope that you might be that one person out there who is ready to adopt or willing to help me find forever homes. I know we humans can really come together when we need to. I know from two and a half years of blogging that many of YOU are not just here to read the stories but that you actively participate in my rescue work by joining the cause, sharing a story, helping ANY way you can. My plans all along have been to launch my next brick fundraiser and big adoption campaign this Fall. The way I spent my weekend has made me determined to find a way - SOMEHOW - to reach more people. I NEED HOMES.
A person called me with knowledge of a situation concerning a homeless mom cat and kittens. This was not some irresponsible person who owns a cat and allowed her to become pregnant. Quite different. This woman told me the story and asked if I could help. I could not, and I was absolutely sick about it. Here is the story.
A 90-year-old man lives alone in the country. A couple of weeks ago, a mom cat started showing up at his back door. He started feeding her. He could tell she was nursing kittens, but he had no idea where she had them. Then just a few days ago, momma cat brought four little two-week old kittens to his back door. (Momma Cat must have decided this was a good guy.) The man had the flu (so he thought), but he still put food out and a box on the ground beside the step. The man ended up in the hospital, and it was discovered that he is a gravely ill man. The woman who called me about this situation is the man’s 80-year-old sister. Her brother told her about the cat and kittens, and she started driving half an hour to his place to put out food.
I would have loved to have been able to help this woman and the little feline family, but my cathouse is 100% FULL. I would need to place half a dozen Winnie’s Wishers in order to be able to help. I checked around to shelters within three hours of here and they are all bursting at the seams with cats and kittens. I knew I could take over the feeding for this woman to keep her from having to make that daily drive. But I also knew the eventual consequences. With no one living in the house now, it was possible that Mom Cat would move the babies. And whether she did or whether she didn’t, she would eventually be pregnant again. The man’s sister told me the mom cat was friendly, but I knew her kittens would grow up feral and would become virtually unadoptable. AND then there would be FOUR MORE cats in the world to breed and reproduce uncontrollably. (*See Andrea’s post about this.) I stewed and worried and called friends and sent emails. I couldn’t stand it. These were not feral cats. This was a friendly mom cat with kittens still so little that they could grow up tame and adoptable if only they had a place to go. I wondered if I could take over their feeding, take some pictures, and get some kind of emergency campaign going for someone somewhere to take the mom and kittens. Or get five of my Winnie’s Wishers immediately into homes allowing me to take these myself. Neither option seemed even remotely viable. But I couldn’t help hoping. I needed a little miracle.
On Saturday I met the 90-year old property owner at his home as his family packed him up to stay with his sister. I took these pictures.
More about this little family tomorrow.
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Sallie needs a home.
Isis is currently on hold.
Shiloh needs a home.
Truly needs a home.
Autumn needs a home.
Frosting has been adopted.
Hershey Bear has been adopted.
Maverick has been adopted.
Spritz has been adopted.
Cashmere has been adopted.
Jo-Jo has been adopted.
Mickey has been adopted.
Sunshine and Juice have been adopted.
Mitts has been adopted.
Halo has been adopted.
Circe has been adopted.
Glitter has been adopted.
Tulip has been adopted.
Golden HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Percy HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Trex HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Monkey HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Charms HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Luna HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Bagheera HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Elfin HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Jasper and Soapy have been adopted.
Dearest and Max have been adopted.
Gabriel HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Leo HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Handsome HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Possum HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Alice HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Tuxie HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Ash HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Sparkles HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Moonie HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Prince Charming HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
What a tragic situation. I so hope it can be resolved in a good way for all concerned. Those babies and their mom are all adorable and deserve the very best chance of a loving home and a good life ~ and of course to be neutered so history does not repeat itself.
Posted by: Jan (Milo and Alfie's mom) | 09/25/2012 at 07:51 AM
That lovely mum-cat brought her kittens to the old man for help, it was wonderful that he was so concerned about them even from the hospital. I hope there is a happy ending for this little family!!!!!
Posted by: Cat's Cats | 09/25/2012 at 08:41 AM
Ewok babies......I can't stand cliff hangers.....
Posted by: Random Felines | 09/25/2012 at 09:01 AM
I hope that the babies and mama can find another human person like you Chrystal to take them in and help them out. Is this what Jeanne from Random Felines was alluding to? Breaks my heart when you have to say "No vacancies at the inn." Kind of reminds me of the nativity story... (I know...sort of a big stretch...but that popped into my mind as I was thinking about this situation.
Please people...if you need another/or can offer another precious baby a home, now is the time. Seriously wish we had some sort of deal with a pet airliner so we could even go international.
Anybody with connections out there?
Much Love,
Mindy
Posted by: Mindy Slimmer | 09/25/2012 at 09:24 AM
Beautiful babies and friendly loving mom.Please clean out a closet - set a box in your kitchen or on a screened in porch. MAKE ROOM AT THE INN. Donate to the cause of feeding the furries. Buy the book and bricks. Chrystal is in a quandry. HER HEART SAYS DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON THIS FAMILY . Her mind says - no spot to set this loving family in my cat houses. LIKE MOST WHO READ THIS BLOG I AM OVER CATTED. living is a close neighborhood poses lots of problems. LAST NIGHT I NOTICED A STRANGE NEW NIGHT FEEDER. THE NEED NEVER ENDS. OPEN UP YOUR HEARTS AND TAKE A GROWN CAT IF NOT A KITTEN THAT LEAVES SPOTS FOR THIS NEW FAMILY. HAVE A GOOD THOUGHTFUL PRAYERFUL- DAY - GINNY & tHE fUR fAMILY - COMPUTER ON LAST LEGS. SPELL CHECK GONE SHIFT KEY A LEANING BUT I CARRY ON.
Posted by: GINNY&THE FUR FAMILY | 09/25/2012 at 09:39 AM
Oh my gosh! Look at those babies! I don't know if your hands are covering other markings, but boy does it look like there are two creamcicle kittens and two calicos! And the calico mom looks SO friendly!! Oh these kitties cannot be allowed to stay out in the cold cruel world! Someone has to be able to help!
Homes! We need homes!! Either for momma and babies or for several Winnie's Wishers! Or both! Yes, lets clear out the cat house and help these babies and make room for the next ones!
Bricks! Be thinking of what you want on yours! Donations! Can you see where more money is needed!
Books! Every book is help for kitties!
Share! Share everything everywhere!
FUNdraiser! Still got time!
Posted by: Andrea and the Celestial Kitties | 09/25/2012 at 01:13 PM
This breaks my heart! Sending out purrs & prayers for this lovely mom & her kittens as well as all of the wonderful cats at your cathouse needing homes. Heading out to spread the news!!
Posted by: Kat & the Teenage Mutant Ninja Kitty Horde | 09/25/2012 at 08:52 PM
So precious! I wish I lived back there and could put those babies in my bathroom for a spell. I wish we were all there in the same county working together!
Posted by: candace | 09/25/2012 at 09:05 PM
My heart is breaking over this situation. Purring and praying for a good resolution to this situation. And doing some book outreach this week!
Posted by: meowmeowmans | 09/26/2012 at 10:04 AM
praying for a happy ending! i have a special place in my heart for calicos. until i can find a home for my fiv+ feral cat i cannot take in another. :( i would so love to adopt momma cat. she is gorgeous.
Posted by: momsbusy | 09/26/2012 at 07:23 PM